EDRS 659- Week 4 COMPONENTS OF LITERACY_ PHONICS AND WORD RECOGNITION, FLUENCY, & VOCABULARY ASSIGNM
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659
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Feb 20, 2024
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COMPONENTS OF LITERACY
1
Components of Literacy: Phonics and Word Recognition, Fluency, and
Vocabulary
Tammy Baysden
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
Tammy Baysden
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Tammy Baysden.
Email:
tbaysden@liberty.edu
COMPONENTS OF LITERACY
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Components of Literacy
Phonics and Word Recognition
In their book "All Children Read: Teaching for Literacy in Today’s Diverse Classrooms,”
Temple et al. (2018) delve into phonics, which is the relationship between graphemes and
phonemes; letters or groups of characters and their respective sounds. The authors claim that
word knowledge includes not only the phonics but also the understanding of functions and
meaning of written words in general.
Chapter 5 discusses key skills needed to understand words and how teachers can teach
word knowledge. The authors mention the logographic phase, a period when children are not
able to phonetically decode unknown words (Temple et al., 2018, p. 97). In this phase, the
recommended method is whole-part-whole teaching, recognizing words in context to derive
meaning before tackling them individually through activities such as reading in context or using
the Language Experience Approach (Temple et al., 2018, p. 98).
The chapter also focuses on the alphabetic stage where children identify decomposition
of words into phonemes and the correspondence between letters to phonemes (Temple et al.,
2018, p. 100). Some strategies include shared writing soundboards, word walls, word wall
chants, picture sorts, plastic letters, push it say it, making and breaking words, and guided
reading (Temple et al., 2018 p. 101-103).
The orthographic phase or chunking investigates onsets and rimes comprehension,
whereby rimes are termed phonogram patterns. Oral recognition of onsets and rimes is the
general case, but written representations are used for phonogram patterns. This phase reinforcing
activities include word sorts, group word sorts, speed sorts, onsets and rimes for word study, two
syllable word sorting, word wheels, word hunts, and flip cards (Temple et al., 2018).
COMPONENTS OF LITERACY
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The morphological phase focuses on reading meaningful words or morphemes. In this
stage, skills involve compound words, inflectional morphemes, and derivational morphemes like
prefixes and suffixes (Temple et al., 2018 p. 108-109). Such approaches as structural analysis,
using affixes to determine the meaning of a whole word are encouraged. In addition, word
journals are also recommended to improve skills in the morphological stage.
Finally, the derivational phase (word histories and families) allows children to understand
how words emerged from older sources linking word recognition with vocabulary knowledge
(Temple et al., 2018, p. 110). There are the practices such as discovering words with parts from
ancient sources, using structural analysis with Latin and Greek elements, and writing word
reports that are highlighted to develop skills in this period (Temple et al., 2018, p. 110-112).
Ms. Glass, a reading specialist, describes some useful practices in the provided video clip
“How to teach Sight Words” (2011) that can raise the efficiency of students’ reading of sight
words. According to Glass (2011) sight words are words found in written language that do not
follow the phonics rules, making it interesting for young learners. Highlighting the importance of
repetitive reading and independent spelling, Glass (2011) points out that mastering sight words
requires regular practice and daily revision. Glass (2011) notes the need for conversations
regarding sight words with students. She used the example "said." The sounds at the beginning
and ending follow the phonics rule but the "ai" combination does not.
It is recommended that the words are introduced in isolation with students sky-writing
them to improve muscle memory while Glass (2011) suggests, as the students become
progressively familiar, they pass through different stages such as the tracing stage, independent
writing, miscues in reading in isolation and within text, circle of words with meaning, word wall
words, and a ring of words. This systemic approach, based on redundancy and repetitions of
COMPONENTS OF LITERACY
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sight word memory, not only improves the ability to remember sight words but also provides a
sense of confidence for students when they encounter any sight words while working with their
reading material. Of its impact of Glass’s insights is to provide a scaffolded approach of sight
word instruction which students master step by step and become firmer in their understanding of
these elements among literacy members.
The following are three online sources that can be cited for instructional strategies related to
phonics and word recognition.
1.
One great educational resource is the ReadWriteThink website. This site provides
valuable interactive tools and resources to make literacy instruction even better.
Distinctively, the unique feature of the online Word Family Sort tool enables the students
to play interesting digital games which involve word patterns and phonics rules. I, as a
teacher, would effortlessly incorporate this tool into small group activities and create a
collaborative environment for the learners. With the help of the word family sort tool, the
students not only can solidify their knowledge on phonics concepts but also experience
the process of learning as an engaging and fun-filled activity. This practice conforms to
NCTE (2024) recommendations for the implementation of sound practices of phonics
teaching and the use of modern pedagogical practices
.
2.
PBS LearningMedia website is an inclusive medium with a variety of multimedia content
making the life of educators easy. Notable among the tools of this resource is the “Word
Maker” tool that students can use to create and change words, which in turn gives them
an interactive and dynamic way of reinforcing phonic knowledge. In the context of a
practical implementation, as an educator, I would place the “Word Maker” tool into a
blended learning station. This approach permits students to work alone or with a peer,
COMPONENTS OF LITERACY
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interacting with phonics idea in an individual or collaborative way. Using this digital tool,
students simultaneously improve their phonics skills and enjoy the flexibility and
interactivity associated with individualized learning stations, closer to contemporary
learning styles (PBS LearningMedia, 2019).
3.
Starfall, prominent for teaching early literacy, is a dynamic site that has games and
activities including ABC section which encourage phonics. As a teacher, I would
intentionally introduce Starfall into my teaching practices as an extra resource for
students to practice by themselves. Using the interactive and fun learning environment on
Starfall, students can practice phonics skills independently at their own pace. Besides
providing valuable practice, the fun phonics games on the platform contribute to an
enjoyable and engaging learning process. The use of Starfall as independent practice is
inline with a modern approach to education as it enables students to use technology to
engage in practice of phonics and make practice enjoyable (Starfall, 2002).
The chapter, video, and explored sites resonate with my own personal philosophy of
literacy in that the insights suggest a balanced and systematic approach to teaching literacy. My
philosophy of promoting a deepened understanding of phonics correlates with the focus of
learning word decoding and encoding strategies are represented in these sources. The emphasis
on the importance of teaching phonics in the process of acquiring literacy strengthens my belief
that a good understanding of the principles of phonics is vital in helping create readers and
writers with proficiency.
In the aspect of digital literacy and technology integration, my view is enhanced by the
recognition that engaging and interactive platforms are crucial for developing phonics and word
recognition. ReadWriteThink, PBS LearningMedia, and Starfall represent the possibilities
COMPONENTS OF LITERACY
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available through technology to create individual and interactive learning environments. The
identification of the fact that digital materials can address differentiated needs and offer
individualized feedback aligns with my creed that technology should be utilized to assist with the
unique needs that occur in 21st-century learning environments.
My enhanced insight confirms the importance of phonics in achieving literacy and,
further, my belief that the devices should serve an exact purpose of addressing current needs of
modern learners. Thus, as I strive to become a more effective teacher, I find myself inspired to
adopt these digital tools not only to enhance phonics teaching but also to provide a beneficial,
individualized, and enjoyable knowledge environment for my students that will promote a love
of literacy in the digital era.
Fluency
In their chapter on Fluency, Temple et al. (2018) emphasize that fluency is the most
important aspect in the process of developing literacy skills. According to the chapter, fluency
goes beyond just the speed of reading and includes oral reading of words, speed reading, and
correct pronunciation. The authors point out that what defines fluency is not just reading fast, but
also having clear comprehension of ideas as well as an understanding of delivery cues. As
outlined, fluency is a complex competence that requires a holistic approach (Temple et al., 2018).
The chapter outlines different strategies for becoming fluent, drawing attention to
numerous readings, modeled readings by teachers, and active activities, which allow students to
read diverse texts. The other implication that arises from the dynamic nature of fluency
instruction is that it reaches beyond mechanical reading to stimulate content comprehension,
guiding thoughtful reading and writing (Temple et al., 2018).
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