A Linguistic Perspective on Phonics Freeman and Freeman
- Slides: 7
A Linguistic Perspective on Phonics Freeman and Freeman Chapter 6
Phonics basics n Key elements n n n Logical, systematic instruction n n Phonemic awareness Sound-letter correspondence Target particular letter-sound correspondence Explicitly state rules Provide examples and practice Provide sequenced progression of lessons Improves word recognition, spelling and reading comprehension for all children (NRP)
Linguistic studies n Smith (1971) n n n Paulson & Freeman (2003) n n 211 sound-letter correspondences (166 rules, 45 exceptions) Larger context has to be considered to determine sound (cite, city; read; wind) Readers do not fixate words 1 letter at a time Readers fixate only 60 -80% of words Readers fixate content words more than function words Clymer (1963): How often do commonly taught phonics rules work?
Arguments against phonics: n Nasal assimilation – general phonological rule n n n plural [s] plural [z] plural [Iz] “cat + s” “dog + s” “bush + es” Reduced vowel [ə] and word stress n n “finger” “singer” Plural formation – morphophonemic rule n n “ng” [ŋg] “ng” [ŋ] “anemone” Syllable structure more identifiable than phonemes
Importance of PA in developing literacy n n Inconsistency of oral/written language correspondence What is the role of oral language in reading? (common strategy) Miscue study (p. 151)* reveals struggling readers rely heavily on graphophonic cues Kucer & Tuten (2003): proficient readers rely more heavily on syntax and semantics than graphophonic cues
PA: learned or acquired? n Word recognition view: learn phonics rules first, then apply that knowledge to reading n n Decodable books: “Dan can fan Nan” Sociopsycholinguistic view: graphophonics is subconscious knowledge that is acquired during reading n n Books that support reading (p. 155) Alphabet books
Assessment n Phonics worksheet: assess conscious knowledge of phonics in isolation n Instructions may be confusing Relies on knowing the word “Determining lesson”: assess subconscious knowledge of graphophonics in context of reading n Modified phonics worksheet
