I think we can teach phonics in a balanced approach to literacy instruction, but need to think of it as a buffet--as long as no one is malnourished, readers can pretty much select the dishes that work for them.
Lori On 9/24/07 5:16 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I did not "get" phonics when I was learning to read...but I was a great reader > anyway. I think that is why I don't see the point of insisting that all > students learn through phonics. However, I have taught some students who > needed the "rules" to learn to read. Keep in mind that it is a means to an > end; it can be easily tested and mastered by most students. And then it is a > valuable tool in learning to do "real" reading. > > > > But comprehension is not easily taught or mastered... it is a process... and > it is more challenging to teach...and?to measure. > > > > Cathy > > K-5 > > DE > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Bill Roberts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group > <mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> > Sent: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 1:15 pm > Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] spelling lists > > > > > >> In a message dated 9/20/2007 5:42:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: >> >> By the way, I hate phonics. Could that be because that is not how I was >> taught? Or maybe because I moved ten times in six years and each school >> district >> did something different? Or maybe because it feels inauthentic? >> > > Phonics is no different than any other skill. The problem is some people > don't stop and think about when and where teaching these skills are > appropriate or no longer needed. Phonics is great for K-3 for children > learning to recognize words and word sounds, but once they've learned it, > there's no need to beat a dead horse. Same can be said for just about > anything: > > AR is great for a kid who doesn't read because it makes the kid read....once > he or she finds an author or genre they enjoy, they should be left to > discover for themselves the fun in reading....not forced to read for points. > I'm teaching mostly advanced classes this year, but too many of them think > reading is only about points. That's not a fault of the program, but a > fault of the teaching. > > Fluency is important for someone who reads one word at a time because it > teaches them to group words in patterns that make sense, once a child "gets > it" there's no need to pound in their heads, but many teachers confuse the > act with the skill. Too many teachers think fluency is about speed or AR is > about points. They are about helping kids. > > The same thing happens with the reading strategies. Some teach, for > example, "visualization" and will spend a few lessons on the concept, but > that isn't teaching for visualization. Many teachers think that if they > give the idea to the kids, the kids will asorb it somehow. That's that > "empty vessel waiting to be filled" philosophy that has permeated education > since the dawn of time....that's one of the few pluses of state tests and > collecting data....you can gear instruction for individual needs and > weaknesses; if you truly teach a strategy, then it will become second > nature. > > The teaching materials / lessons / programs / etc. are only as good as the > teacher.... > > Bill > > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > > > ________________________________________________________________________ > Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - > http://mail.aol.com > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > -- Lori Jackson District Literacy Coach & Mentor Todd County School District Box 87 Mission SD 57555 http:www.tcsdk12.org ph. 605.856.2211 Literacies for All Summer Institute July 17-20. 2008 Tucson, Arizona _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
