Are you looking for hacks to teach kids to use phonics while reading? If so, keep reading.
1. Compose paragraphs and short stories requiring phonics skills the student is presently learning. The passages must be of interest to the student using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.
2. Get the student to dictate stories that are then put in print for them to read, placing emphasis on reading skills.
3. Get the student to read high interest signs, advertisements, notices, etc., from newspapers, magazines, movie promotions, etc., placing emphasis on phonics skills.
4. Make sure the student is practicing phonics skills that are causally related to high interest reading learning activities (e.g., adventure, romance, mystery, sports, etc.).
5. Get the student to make a list of phonics skills that have been learned (e.g., words they can find by sounding out). The student continues to add to the list as they identify more and more terms.
6. Teach the student all beginning sounds before expecting them to blend sounds into words.
7. Record complicated reading content for the student to listen to as they read along.
8. Make sure that the reading requirements of all subjects and tasks are within the capacity and ability level of the student. If they are not, adjust the reading content to the student’s capacity and ability level.
9. Make sure that the student’s knowledge of a particular skill is being assessed rather than the student’s capacity and ability to read instructions. Reading instructions to the student may enable success.
10. Give the student oral reminders or prompts when they are unsure of sounds that letters make when blended together.
11. Minimize the amount of information on a page if it is visually distracting for the student.
12. Refrain from placing the student in awkward reading skills (e.g., reading aloud in a group, identifying that the student’s reading group is the lowest level, etc.).
13. Ascertain if the student has instant recall of all consonant and vowel sounds and combinations.
14. Practice active learning at the smartboard by having students hear, write, and read words.
15. Practice, drill, and review every day.
16. Get students to say sounds as they write them.
17. Let students write a story, paragraph, or sentence using phonetic shorthand. This narrowing of sounds helps the student to find the sounds with letters used to construct words.
18. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.
19. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.
20. Try using one of our many apps designed to teach literacy skills and help students with reading issues:
10 Apps That Teach Your Child to Read
7 Must-Have Apps to Make Learners Love Reading
7 Must-Have Phonics Apps and Tools
9 Reading Apps and Tools for the Elementary Classroom
The Tech Edvocate’s List of 24 Literacy Apps, Tools & Resources
