Teaching Phonics

Classical schools usually teach children to read using phonics in K – 2nd grade. Phonics curriculums abound, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, for the sake of consistency, make sure all your lower elementary classes use the same program. Different phonics programs choose different phonics to use and different ways to divide them. Switching methods is an excellent way to confuse children. Second, make sure your program is well developed and guides your students all the way into chapter books. Some phonics curriculums stop with easy readers, leaving teachers stranded when it comes time to make the jump to chapter books. It also lets students forget their phonics before they have been firmly cemented in their minds in their full-fledged form. Third, do be sure to abandon phonics readers well before 3rd grade. As helpful as readers are to get there, the goal is to start reading good children’s literature.

Great children’s books are what really develop verbal reading and imagination. And let’s not forget that they are a bit more interesting for the teachers! Most schools make this transition in second grade, starting the year with a few phonics readers, then moving into literature such as Charlotte’s Web. If you have somehow managed to grow up without a thorough knowledge of children’s books, or just want more suggestions, this page is an introductory collection of children’s literature to get you on your way.

Phonics Curricula

Sing, Spell, Read & Write

• This curriculum includes games, songs, and audio. As you might have guessed, it is very multisensory. It includes readers through level 3.

Spalding Method

• The spalding method is very different from the rest and requires teacher training to implement. It teaches all the phonics and letters upfront in a short and rigorous amount time, and begins with spelling rather than with reading. Some critique it for being unorderly.

Spell to Write and Read

• This is a program based off the spalding method, but it is complex and may require some experience or training to teach. 

ABeka

• Designed for Christian schools and home schools, ABeka has readers through 6th grade and a day-by-day lesson plan. It is well developed and includes books to transition children into chapter books. But it is important to wean children off the the readers, which reach through 6th grade, and get them into real books.

Phonics Museum by Veritas Press

• This is available as an app or as normal curriculum for a classroom. The biggest benefit of Phonics Museum is that the stories are interesting, taken from history and the Bible. But the phonics system itself is loose, allowing some phonics to be used early. It does not include transition readers.

Classical Phonics by Memoria Press

• This is just one book designed to supplement any program. It includes lists of words arranged by level that are completely out of context. This is good for tests or practice. 

Core Skills Phonics

• This simple series runs has exercises running through the upper levels and includes workbook practice for spelling, writing, etc. 

First Start Reading by Memoria Press

• This series teaches vowel-consonant blends instead of the other way around and focuses on penmanship and vowels. 

Primary Phonics

• Another simple series of phonics readers. It is black and white so kids can color it in.