Phonics is connecting the letters (graphemes) of written language to the individual sounds (phonemes) of spoken language. It is learning the patterns of these letters and sounds to create words.
Research has shown that teaching phonics systematically and explicitly, helps students decode and read unknown words. It is the most effective instruction for teaching students to read at the word level. With the right type of phonics instruction this process becomes automatic and frees up a student’s mental energy from word analysis to meaning. This is essential for a student to become an efficient reader.
On this page you will find more information about why phonics is important and what type of phonics instruction is best. You will also find a framework for systematic phonics instruction and free online training in how to teach phonics explicitly and systematically to your students.
The importance of phonics instruction is often debated although research has produced convincing results of its value. View article >
There is both an implicit and explicit approach to teaching phonics. This article explores the pro’s and con’s of both methods. View Article >
The scope and sequence of the systematic Reading Horizons program. Learn more >
Our FREE interactive, reading workshop shows you how to teach phonics and trains you in the methods and tools that will ensure reading success in your classroom. Learn more >
Research results of Discover Intensive Phonics used as an intensive reading remediation for a six week summer program. Learn more >
A list of key points showing how Reading Horizons is different than most other phonics programs on the market. Learn more >
Find out why systematic, explicit phonics instruction is necessary for true fluency to be achieved. View article >
Experts advocate teaching phonics to non-native English speakers. Learn more >