Phonics Instruction Methods and Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to phonics instruction methods, focusing on systematic and explicit teaching strategies, as well as the nature of phonics components such as digraphs, blends, and sight words.

Systematic Phonics

An approach that explicitly teaches a set of sound/spelling relationships in a logical sequence.

Embedded Phonics

An informal approach to phonics introduced within the context of reading, focusing on word-solving skills.

Explicit Phonics Instruction

Instruction where concepts are clearly explained and modeled by the teacher, minimizing ambiguity.

Consonant Digraph

Two consonant letters that together represent a single sound (e.g., sh, th, wh).

Consonant Blend

Two consonants that appear together but each retains its own sound (e.g., fl, gr, sp, mp).

Decodable Text

Reading materials where the majority of words are linked to phonics instruction and familiar spelling patterns.

Alphabetic Principle

The understanding that letters in written language represent sounds in spoken language.

Orthographic Mapping

The mental process of connecting sounds (phonemes) to letters in words and storing them as sight words.

Sight Word

A word that a reader recognizes instantly without conscious effort.

Permanently Irregular Word

A word with unique sound/spellings not pronounced conventionally (e.g., said, one).

Temporarily Irregular Word

A word that may be irregular at first but can become fully decodable as more spelling patterns are learned.

Sound-Out Strategy

A method for teaching irregular words that involves sounding them out and recognizing how they are actually said.

Spell-Out Strategy

A routine of READ-SPELL-READ to promote automatic recognition of irregular high-frequency words.

Guidelines for Introducing Irregular Words

Strategies for introducing high-frequency words effectively, such as starting with high-frequency over low-frequency.