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Thank you for choosing this Reading Champs Instructional Handbook (this publication). The information contained within this and other publications within this series is intended to provide a schema for sequential development of the basic skills necessary to succeed in learning to read--at any age. Each individual handbook presents a highly-focused view on a specific topic.

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Reading Champs Common Sense Mini-lesson #008
TITLE: Systematic Phonic Sequence
Catalog Index: CSML-008
Price (USD): $6.95

Systematic Phonics Sequence #1:
Sounding Out New Words

The phonics decoding approach to reading emphasizes sounding out words. Rules are taught for sounding out letters and combinations of letters. By applying these rules, the student is able to sound out the words. As examples : The rule " 'e' on the end makes the first vowel long," turns a "cap" into a "cape"; "rip" becomes "ripe"; etc.

A basic understanding of these rules can make it easy to figure out many new words. As students progress, however, it must also be understood that many English words are irregular; the language is not completely phonetic. Nonetheless, a knowledge of phonics is essential because there is enough consistency when the rules are followed.

The rules listed in this, and several other sections of this instructional series, are of high enough use to teach fundamental "decoding" skills. They apply at least 65% of the time, and often more. When exceptions to rules come up, the reader needs to understand "this is an exception" and use one of the other methods for gathering understanding.

CSML-008 / 090220

Copyright 2007, 2009 -- Rita M. Wirtz, M.A., and Donald E. Werve, Jr., M.Ed. -- All Rights Reserved