The way children are taught to read will change
Discussion
I just love the way that the BBC described synthetic phonics as 'controversial' in their news broadcasts this morning (as in a controversial way of teaching reading.
What is controversial about it is that it was a tried and trusted method of teaching reading that was banned by the educational establishment in favour of 'child centered' methods whereby a child is given a book and 'somehow' learns how to read. A policy which resulted in a generation unable, or barely able, to read among the disadvantaged sections of society.
Studies have consistently shown that synthetic phonics is the best method of teaching children to read and it appears at last that even this government has realised that fact.
BBC Report
Primary reading set for overhaul
The way children are taught to read in primary schools in England will be shaken up, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has confirmed.
The government has accepted the findings of a review which backed the greater use of a method called synthetic phonics.
Under this system, children are taught the sounds of letters and combination of letters before they move onto books.
Critics complain it could stop children from developing a love of reading.
The review was carried out by Jim Rose, a former director of inspections at England's schools' inspectorate, Ofsted.
He said the system should be used "first and fast".
Phonics is used in most schools, but not necessarily in a systematic or prescriptive way. These changes would mean that all children would be taught this way before the age of five.
Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said she accepted the findings and saw a "real opportunity" to teach the system.
She would make sure the system was taught as early as possible in schools, she told BBC Breakfast.
"There is a real opportunity to teach synthetic phonics systematically, but also other skills so necessary to children learning to love reading and learning to speak and communicate effectively."
But many teachers fear synthetic phonics does not suit all children's learning styles and argue it can destroy the joy of reading.
There are deeply divided professional views about how phonic work is best taught
The review, the full details of which are being published later, is expected to recommend teaching of reading must go hand in hand with developing children's speaking and listening skills.
It will call for "early systematic, direct teaching of synthetic phonics" to be the first strategy taught to all children learning to read, introduced by the age of five.
It will also focus on the need for some children to have intensive "catch-up support".
Mr Rose is expected to say there is general agreement phonic work is "essential though not sufficient" in learning to read, but that there is also much debate about the best way to do it.
"Despite this positive consensus about the importance of phonic work, there are deeply divided professional views about how phonic work is best taught," he will say.
"The review is therefore centred on judging the best way forward from the standpoint of the learners, that is to say children who are beginner readers and writers."
He told the Today programme on BBC Radio Four why he advocated synthetic phonics: "It is a crucial part of learning to read.
"It is not the whole story but I think now research, generally speaking , and indeed best practice, shows us that this is for children, beginner readers in particular, absolutely important."
C-a-t
The final version of the Rose review, expected early next year, will inform the government's redrafting of its literacy strategy, planned for 2007.
In pure synthetic phonics, children learn to read using the sounds of letters rather than the names.
The report will inform a revised literacy strategy
So a letter "D" is said "duh" not "dee". They learn to put the sounds together to make simple words such as "c-a-t".
They also learn blends of certain letter sounds, such as "ch" or "bl".
Only once they have learned all the letter sounds and the blends do they progress to reading books.
The system also helps children to break down unknown words, experts say.
Many schools in England already use phonics, combined with other methods to help children to read, but proponents of synthetic phonics argue it should be followed strictly and not be mixed with other approaches.
In Scotland, schools are already being encouraged to take up synthetic phonics.
The success of a pilot scheme in a school in Clackmannanshire brought widespread attention to the system.
What is controversial about it is that it was a tried and trusted method of teaching reading that was banned by the educational establishment in favour of 'child centered' methods whereby a child is given a book and 'somehow' learns how to read. A policy which resulted in a generation unable, or barely able, to read among the disadvantaged sections of society.
Studies have consistently shown that synthetic phonics is the best method of teaching children to read and it appears at last that even this government has realised that fact.
BBC Report
Primary reading set for overhaul
The way children are taught to read in primary schools in England will be shaken up, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly has confirmed.
The government has accepted the findings of a review which backed the greater use of a method called synthetic phonics.
Under this system, children are taught the sounds of letters and combination of letters before they move onto books.
Critics complain it could stop children from developing a love of reading.
The review was carried out by Jim Rose, a former director of inspections at England's schools' inspectorate, Ofsted.
He said the system should be used "first and fast".
Phonics is used in most schools, but not necessarily in a systematic or prescriptive way. These changes would mean that all children would be taught this way before the age of five.
Education Secretary Ruth Kelly said she accepted the findings and saw a "real opportunity" to teach the system.
She would make sure the system was taught as early as possible in schools, she told BBC Breakfast.
"There is a real opportunity to teach synthetic phonics systematically, but also other skills so necessary to children learning to love reading and learning to speak and communicate effectively."
But many teachers fear synthetic phonics does not suit all children's learning styles and argue it can destroy the joy of reading.
There are deeply divided professional views about how phonic work is best taught
The review, the full details of which are being published later, is expected to recommend teaching of reading must go hand in hand with developing children's speaking and listening skills.
It will call for "early systematic, direct teaching of synthetic phonics" to be the first strategy taught to all children learning to read, introduced by the age of five.
It will also focus on the need for some children to have intensive "catch-up support".
Mr Rose is expected to say there is general agreement phonic work is "essential though not sufficient" in learning to read, but that there is also much debate about the best way to do it.
"Despite this positive consensus about the importance of phonic work, there are deeply divided professional views about how phonic work is best taught," he will say.
"The review is therefore centred on judging the best way forward from the standpoint of the learners, that is to say children who are beginner readers and writers."
He told the Today programme on BBC Radio Four why he advocated synthetic phonics: "It is a crucial part of learning to read.
"It is not the whole story but I think now research, generally speaking , and indeed best practice, shows us that this is for children, beginner readers in particular, absolutely important."
C-a-t
The final version of the Rose review, expected early next year, will inform the government's redrafting of its literacy strategy, planned for 2007.
In pure synthetic phonics, children learn to read using the sounds of letters rather than the names.
The report will inform a revised literacy strategy
So a letter "D" is said "duh" not "dee". They learn to put the sounds together to make simple words such as "c-a-t".
They also learn blends of certain letter sounds, such as "ch" or "bl".
Only once they have learned all the letter sounds and the blends do they progress to reading books.
The system also helps children to break down unknown words, experts say.
Many schools in England already use phonics, combined with other methods to help children to read, but proponents of synthetic phonics argue it should be followed strictly and not be mixed with other approaches.
In Scotland, schools are already being encouraged to take up synthetic phonics.
The success of a pilot scheme in a school in Clackmannanshire brought widespread attention to the system.
bbc said:Isn’t this how it was always done? There was never a point where some one gave me a book and said: “Read this”. Sure there may be no cane now for getting it wrong and teachers have to swear less at students but I thought this method had been around for a long time. Maybe I’m alone
The government has accepted the findings of a review which backed the greater use of a method called synthetic phonics.
Under this system, children are taught the sounds of letters and combination of letters before they move onto books.
speedy_thrills said:
The government has accepted the findings of a review which backed the greater use of a method called synthetic phonics.
Under this system, children are taught the sounds of letters and combination of letters before they move onto books.
It is an old system, abandoned in the 80's as 'trendy' teaching methods swept through our schools, and partially reinstated since as part of the overall teaching of reading. This proposal is to focus exclusively on Phonics in the first few months of schooling.
The article said:
Critics complain it could stop children from developing a love of reading.
Well, my little girl (who's not yet 2) has developed a huge love of "reading" already. I bet she can't wait until she can cope with reading the words to herself (she already 'reads' her favourite books out loud to her teddies with no help 'cos she recognises the pictures and remembers the matching words).
Regarding phonics, its a classic case of meddling with tried and tested methods that have worked for years simply to be trendy. Thank god the backlash is starting and sensible methods are being re-introduced.
{edited for spelling as the 'E' key on my keyboard appears to be playing up}
>> Edited by pdV6 on Thursday 1st December 10:14
pgm said:
my son is 4 and is being taught to read at school by this exact method already - dont know why this is news?
"Phonics is used in most schools, but not necessarily in a systematic or prescriptive way. These changes would mean that all children would be taught this way before the age of five."
BBC Report said:
So a letter "D" is said "duh" not "dee". They learn to put the sounds together to make simple words such as "c-a-t".
Oh, glad they cleared that one up then - I mean, surely everyone is so well educated that we dont need to have it explained to us.... do we?
As mentioned, my son is also using this method at school as I type now. Works well and currently learning very well. Its not just the sounds they learn, but also actions too - helps to remember the words and hence location within a word and therefore construct the actual complete word in the end - seems a good system - but certainly nothing new.
Oh, and a word of warning though - (sorry if this offends some teachers here) - but sometimes it can be better to follow with the norm rather than be ahead. Sounds completely daft I know, but maybe teaching your child to read earlier than school is not a great idea. When they do get to school, the teachers will probably single them out and exclude them from the reading / writing - hence child gets very bored very quickly. There is NO support for advanced children within the current system - its daft and counter-intuitive I know, but having been there already I know I want my son to be challenged and included rather than excluded and bored......
pgm said:
my son is 4 and is being taught to read at school by this exact method already - dont know why this is news?
Likewise!
My son loved his Letterland books, but is now being taught using Jolly Phonics. I have to say I had my doubts about that particular method (the actions don't really relate to the letters, for example) but it really does work.
Another victory over trendy teaching methods that don't work!
I seem to remember my learning to read included canes, board rubbers etc. as "teaching aids". Aaaah, the good old days..... Charles
Parrot of doom said:
This is how I was taught - I'm 33 - I remember it well. Simple, easy, and effective, and I have a rather large collection of books that I've read over the years. I remember reading all the Narnia books when I was about 10.
Pah
I read Lord of the Rings when I was 10.
(my mother was a primary school teacher and I think she partly taught me to read with Phonics)
>> Edited by Jaglover on Thursday 1st December 13:05
Parrot of doom said:Same here (although I'm 36). I was taught to read phonically too, and it appeared to be very successful. I had a reading age well in excess of my chronological age for the whole of my time at school and did the MAST speed reading course when I was 13, clocking an impressive 2000wpm @ 80% comprehension.
This is how I was taught - I'm 33 - I remember it well. Simple, easy, and effective, and I have a rather large collection of books that I've read over the years. I remember reading all the Narnia books when I was about 10.
My mother, an ex-teacher, has for years bemoaned the fact that phonics was abandoned in schools, so she'll be delighted to see a return of this "controversial" (sic) method.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 1st December 13:10
off_again said:
So a letter "D" is said "duh" not "dee". They learn to put the sounds together to make simple words such as "c-a-t".
Oh, glad they cleared that one up then - I mean, surely everyone is so well educated that we dont need to have it explained to us.... do we?
As mentioned, my son is also using this method at school as I type now. Works well and currently learning very well. Its not just the sounds they learn, but also actions too - helps to remember the words and hence location within a word and therefore construct the actual complete word in the end - seems a good system - but certainly nothing new.
Oh, and a word of warning though - (sorry if this offends some teachers here) - but sometimes it can be better to follow with the norm rather than be ahead. Sounds completely daft I know, but maybe teaching your child to read earlier than school is not a great idea. When they do get to school, the teachers will probably single them out and exclude them from the reading / writing - hence child gets very bored very quickly. There is NO support for advanced children within the current system - its daft and counter-intuitive I know, but having been there already I know I want my son to be challenged and included rather than excluded and bored......
apparently a certain young A Einstein got all his maths homework wrong every week for years, primarily because the teacher was completely incapable of following his solutions which often even at the age of 7 involved Integration.
Jaglover said:
This is how I was taught - I'm 33 - I remember it well. Simple, easy, and effective, and I have a rather large collection of books that I've read over the years. I remember reading all the Narnia books when I was about 10.
Pah
I read Lord of the Rings when I was 10.
(my mother was a primary school teacher and I think she partly taught me to read with Phonics)
Same here, for the same reason!staceyb said:That's not something I'd personally admit to.
I'm only 22 and I'm sure I was taught using phonetics. When I'm spelling now I still use "ah" "buh" "cuh" thing.
Incidentally, my 11 year-old step-son was taught "ah" "buh" "cuh" at school too, so I guess phonics hasn't entirely been abandoned over the years.
>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 1st December 13:29
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