America’s Phonics is a comprehensive
elementary curriculum designed to be a professional's tool for teaching
reading, spelling, penmanship, vocabulary, affixes, grammar, recitation,
comprehension, and oral and written expression.
It is a unique program which utilizes
the technological advantages of the computer while retaining the best of
conventional desk based techniques through the use of two segments that
proceed in parallel.
Student progress in reading is
typically more than twice the normal rate without devoting more study
time than is common to most language training.
The following highlights on America’s
Phonics are offered as an introduction.
Major points include:
1. America’s Phonics
is a breakthrough language training program in that language is taught
differently than through any program heretofore. The program is written
as a multi-based system with students working in a normal classroom for
approximately one-half of their instruction and working at a computer
for the other half. These two program elements proceed in parallel with
an indexing system to keep them coordinated. This combination has some
considerable strengths but it does require a change in teaching “style”
as compared with how teachers usually work.
2. The teaching of
phonics has been controversial for some people, but we maintain that
techniques used have made phonics too complicated to teach and to
understand. We have simplified the teaching of phonics to a point where
it is manageable by both students and teachers. As a byproduct of the
use of phonics we are able to take advantage of the benefits of
multi-sensory teaching without having to celebrate the concept. We
believe that teaching correct pronunciation of words leads to better
spelling skills so that phonics, in the way it is taught through America’s
Phonics, is not only a legitimate element of language instruction, but
that language instruction is not complete without it.
Some supportive points of
information include:
1. We are taking
advantage of the latest technology through the use of multi-media
computers while not abandoning time-tested conventional teaching
methods.
Classroom time is divided equally
between the computer and the desk and the study material is
coordinated. Words, definitions, example sentences and spelling
exercises are common to both study stations. Each station has its
special merits with the computer offering advantages, especially
hi-fidelity expertly voiced sounds, while desk based activities
include puzzle-like and thought provoking workbook exercises of great
variety.
2. Intensive
effort was given to the selection of words as to their appropriateness
for each level and objective of study.
The words were scientifically
selected to illustrate, in sequence, the 44 sounds of standard English
with the most common spellings of sounds coming first and proceeding
to less common spellings. This technique enables grouping words with
like characteristics which results in very efficient learning of word
sounds and spellings.
3. A context for
each word is provided with an illustrative, informative sentence in
keeping with interests suited to children. A definition is also provided
with which students become involved early in the program.
Based on the concept of “association”
as an aid to retention, concerted effort is made to teach the meaning
and use of words as they are introduced. In this way, students receive
early involvement with the conceptual “environment” of words as
they are used for communication of ideas.
4. The program
is designed to be efficient believing that children’s time is just as
valuable as that of adults. It is also designed to be very easy to teach
requiring virtually no lesson plans or preparation of customized
instructional material.
The varied nature of activities and
exercises helps students keep focused and on task with rapid progress
being the result. This eases teachers’ classroom management duties
and when this is combined with phonics technicalities being pre-solved
and lesson planning being eliminated, the program becomes a favorite
for teachers and students alike.
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