Phonics and Word Analysis

Language Acquisition

Process by which individuals learn language

Oral Language

System that relates sounds to meanings through communicating by word of mouth

What are the 4 primary concepts related to sounds of human language?

Phonemes, phonetics, phonology, phonics

Phonetics

Sounds of human speech

Phonology

Systematic organization of sounds in languages

Phonics

Relationship btwn symbols of alphabetic writing system and sounds of language

What are 6 basic principles that dictate construction and patterns of words, sentences, and paragraphs in language?

Morphology, orthography, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, segmentation

Morphology

Study of forms of words including affixes, roots, stems, and parts of speech

Morpheme

Smallest units of meaning in word

Orthography

Standards present in language’s conventions

Syntax

Rules that govern construction of words to make phrases, clauses, and sentences

Semantics

Study of word or symbol meaning

Pragmatics

Study of how we understand meaning of language based on situation it’s used in

Segmentation

Recognizing boundaries btwn words, syllables, or phonemes in spoken language

High-Frequency Words

Appears often in grade-level text, either decodable or irregular

Heart Words

Irregular high-frequency words learnt by heart

Decodable Words

Follow regular phonics patterns and can be read by applying letter-sound correspondence rules

Heart Words Approach

Students learn to decode regular parts while memorizing irregular, supports decoding skills and reduces rote memorization

How should teachers introduce high-frequency words?

W/ phonic patterns being taught that match students’ phonics knowledge

Fry Word Lists

100 most frequently occurring words in English lanugage

How should high-frequency word skills and decoding abilities be assessed?

Separately

Nonsense Word List

List that ensures students rely on phonics knowledge to decode unfamiliar words rather than memorization

Example of assessment for high-frequency words

List of irregular words students have been explicitly taught and practiced

What two skills form the foundation for reading fluency?

Phonics and word recognition skills

Word Recognition Skills

Ability to recognize written words correctly

Fluency

Ability to read w/ appropriate speed, accuracy, and prosody

Automaticity

Ability to read words effortlessly

What 4 skills are word recognition and phonics skills scaffolded on?

Print awareness, alphabetic knowledge, phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle

Print Awareness

Awareness of forms and functions of printed language

Print Orientation

Understanding of how to begin writing letters including writing from left to right, on lines, etc

What 3 reading skills are closely linked together?

Decoding, fluency, comprehension

What is crucial for reading fluency?

Mastering high-frequency words

Irregular High-Frequency Words

Cannot be completely sounded out phonetically but found frequently in students’ reading

What are the 6 types of syllables in English language?

Closed, open, vowel-consonant-e (VCe), vowel team (digraphs and diphthongs), final stable, r-controlled

Closed Syllable

Syllable that has short vowel sound, spelled w/ one vowel letter, and ends in one or more consonants

Open Syllable

Syllable spelled w/ single vowel letter that ends w/ its long vowel sound

Vowel-Consonant-e (VCe) Syllable

Syllable w/ long vowel sound made from one vowel + one consonant + silent e, usually found at end of word

Vowel Team Syllable

2 vowels that make single vowel sound when together in word

Final Stable Syllable

Syllable made w/ consonant + l + silent e

R-Controlled Syllable

Syllable that contains vowel followed by letter r in which r changes way vowel is pronounced

What are morphemes categorized as?

Roots and affixes

Roots

Bases to which affixes may be attached that provide core meaning of word

Free Root (Morpheme)

Can stand alone as its own word

Bound Root (Morpheme)

Cannot stand alone as its own word

Affix

Letter or letters that change root word’s meaning

What are affixes categorized as?

Prefixes and suffixes

Prefix

Comes before root of word

Suffix

Comes after root of word

Derivational Affix

Alters meaning or part of speech of word into new word, can either be prefixes or suffixes

Inflectional Affix

Affix that changes form of root or base word, only occur w/ suffix

Tense

Words that indicate if statement referring to past time, present time, or future time

Spelling Rule: y to i

When root word ends w/ y, you will often change it to i UNLESS preceding letter is a vowel or suffix begins w/ i

Spelling Rule: Double the Consonant

If root ends in short vowel followed by consonant, you will double consonant UNLESS word ends in w, x, or y

Spelling Rule: Drop the e

Drop e off end of root word if suffix begins w/ vowel UNLESS root ends in ce or ge and suffix begins w/ a or o

Spelling Rule: ie to y

When root word ends in ie you will change it to y if suffix begins w/ i

Why might ELLs face specific challenges in developing phonics skills?

Unpredictable relationship btwn phonemes and graphemes in English language

Graphemes

Written letter or combination of letters that represents single sound

Deep Orthography

Inconsistency of letter-sound correspondence in English language

What 4 phonics elements are common for ELLs to struggle w/?

Consonant digraphs, diphthongs, differences btwn long and short vowels, inflectional suffixes

Consonant Digraph

2 consonants that make single consonant sound when together in word

Diphthong

One vowel sound made by combination of 2 vowel sounds

Language Transfer

Process that occurs when students learning new language transfer knowledge from L1 to L2

What should ELLs be taught?

Word Analysis

Word Analysis

Breaking down words into their smallest meaning units (morphemes)

What can teachers use to help ELLs decipher unfamiliar prefixes, suffixes, and root words?

Cognates

Cognate

Words in 2 languages that share similar meaning, spelling, and pronunciation