Ep. 183: Aligning Phonemic Awareness Instruction to Research
Feb 16, 2024
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Learn how Becky and Michael evolved their phonemic awareness instruction, focusing on blending, segmenting, and incorporating letters. Discover practical tips and resources to strengthen phonemic awareness, teacher knowledge, and curriculum. Dive into the importance of integrating phonemic awareness and phonics for effective reading instruction.
44:45
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Quick takeaways
Incorporating letters in phonemic awareness strengthens letter-sound correspondence.
Prioritizing blending and segmenting enhances decoding ability and phonemic awareness skills.
Deep dives
Importance of focusing on blending and segmenting skills
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of prioritizing blending and segmenting skills when teaching phonemic awareness. The speakers discuss how these skills contribute to decoding and encoding, leading to improved reading and spelling abilities. They highlight that blending and segmenting should be the primary focus during phonemic awareness instruction, as it facilitates the connection between sounds and letters, which is crucial for literacy development.
Personal journeys of two teachers
The podcast features the personal journeys of two teachers, Becky Palone and Michael Hart, in teaching phonemic awareness. Becky shares how she initially lacked knowledge of phonemic awareness and phonological awareness until she attended training on the science of reading, which transformed her teaching approach. Michael reflects on his experience teaching secondary students with reading difficulties and how he discovered the importance of blending and segmenting skills. Both speakers highlight the value of continuous learning and staying updated on evidence-based practices to improve literacy instruction.
Strategies for efficient phonemic awareness instruction
The podcast offers practical strategies for efficient phonemic awareness instruction. Becky suggests keeping blending and segmenting activities concise, focusing on three to four minutes per session. She uses visual aids such as writing words on the board to connect sounds and letters. Michael emphasizes prioritizing blending and segmenting skills over other phonemic awareness activities, highlighting their significance in letter-sound correspondence and decoding ability. Both speakers recommend using resources like free webinars, curated word lists, and online platforms to support phonemic awareness instruction.
Utilizing free resources and professional development opportunities
The podcast encourages teachers to take advantage of free resources and professional development opportunities for phonemic awareness instruction. The speakers mention Amplify's website, dyslexia organizations, and the University of Florida's Literacy Institute as valuable sources of information and materials. They also emphasize the benefits of engaging with the teaching community on Twitter, following accounts like Science of Reading Classroom, and participating in fellowships to gain access to diverse classroom practices and research-based strategies.
In this conversation, Becky Pallone and Michael Hart discuss how their phonemic awareness instruction has evolved over time. They emphasize the importance of blending and segmenting as key skills in phonemic awareness and highlight the benefits of incorporating letters in phonemic awareness instruction. They will also provide practical tips for you!
Takeaways
Incorporating letters in phonemic awareness can strengthen letter-sound correspondence.
Teachers should prioritize blending and segmenting in phonemic awareness instruction.
Teacher knowledge and curriculum are both important in phonemic awareness instruction.