Introduction

The Phonics Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to phonics by outlining the 44 sounds of English and how they work with its 26 letters to make reading and writing happen. Having a strong knowledge base around these sounds and patterns puts every teacher at an advantage for teaching and assessing how students apply the “code” when they read and write and can amplify their skillful phonics instruction, regardless of the curricular program used.

Benefits of the Handbook

This knowledge also provides a roadmap for understanding and supporting students who might be struggling in reading or writing, thus providing real-time assessment. Lifting print from the page is an essential skill for all readers and providing both instruction and practice are critical.

Application Routines

To support this, The Phonics Handbook includes six easy-to-use application routines that, once established, can:

• enhance any instructional phonics program
• extend instruction with opportunities for students to apply what they've learned
• serve as replicable routines for immediate and ongoing practice
• support differentiation through side-work and small or large group instruction

Importance of Phonics

The current national focus on phonics demands that teachers become experts in the English language now more than ever. With helpful additions including the dependability and reliability of the 44 sounds of English, suggestions for further reading, and informative sidebars that offer insights into common misunderstandings as well as interesting background about how English has evolved over time, The Phonics Handbook will soon become a practical and trusted resource educators will return to year after year.