Section 1: The Key Ingredients for Phonics Success Success Ingredient 1: Readiness Skills Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 2: Scope and Sequence Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 3: Blending Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 4: Dictation Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 5: Word Awareness Activities (Word Building and Word Sorts) Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 6: High-Frequency Words Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 7: Reading Connected Text Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Plus One More Essential Success Ingredient: You! Section 2: 10 Common Causes of Phonics Instruction Failure Introduction Reason 1: Inadequate or Nonexistent Review and Repetition The Problem How to Fix It Reason 2: Lack of Application to Real Reading and Writing Experiences The Problem How to Fix It Reason 3: Inappropriate Reading Materials to Practice Skills The Problem How to Fix It Reason 4: Ineffective Use of the Gradual Release Model The Problem How to Fix It Reason 5: Too Much Time Lost During Transitions The Problem How to Fix It Reason 6: Limited Teacher Knowledge of Research-Based Phonics Routines and Linguistics The Problem How to Fix It Reason 7: Inappropriate Pacing of Lessons The Problem How to Fix It Reason 8: No Comprehensive or Cumulative Mastery Assessment Tools The Problem How to Fix It Reason 9: Transitioning to Multisyllabic Words Too Late The Problem How to Fix It Reason 10: Overdoing It (Especially Isolated Skill Work) The Problem How to Fix It Closing Thoughts References
Using the authors' expertise from 25 years in the field, as well as current research and evaluation of phonics programs in schools, A Fresh Look at Phonics provides the ingredients needed for success, and underlines the common reasons for failure. It is full of tips, tech recommendations, teacher training ideas and a wealth of how-tos. Divided into two sections: success and common causes of failures, it allows users to easily dip in and out when necessary. Each ingredient of success offers: background, sample instruction; lists of best practices; common instructional pitfalls; and a section that prompts educators to look at and reflect on specific aspects of their teaching.