Purpose: Phonics is appropriate for beginning readers because they need to learn how to process print. Teaching sound- and letter-relationships for consonants involves the following steps:
Step 1: Provide objects beginning with the sound you are teaching.
Step 2: Ask your learner to identify the beginning sound.
Step 3: Print the words as your learner names objects.
Step 4: Ask your learner to think of words beginning with a similar sound.
Step 5: Ask your learner to identify written words beginning with a similar sound.
Step 6: Say several words and ask your learner to identify those beginning with the sound you are teaching.
Step 7: Create words by joining the sound or letter to a list of sight words.
Step 8: Say several words and ask your learner to identify those ending with the sound you are teaching.
Step 9: Ask your leaner to use sound to figure out unfamiliar words in context.
Step 10: Ask your learner to choose a key word that will help him to remember the sound or letter association.
Campbell, P., & Brokop, F. (1996). STAPLE ’96. Edmonton, Alberta: Grass Roots Press. Copyright held by Literacy Alberta. ISBN for CD ROM 0-9680235-1-7, for handbook 0-9680235-0. Used with permission.
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