How to Teach Phonics
Date: 2006-04-04T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: English language -- Phonetics -- Study and teaching; Reading -- Phonetic method

The Project Gutenberg eBook of How to Teach Phonics

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: How to Teach Phonics

Author: Lida Myrtle Williams

Release date: April 4, 2006 [eBook #18119]

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/18119

Credits: Produced by Christine D., Schalk van Zyl, David Garcia,
Donald Potter (who provided the original scans) and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO TEACH PHONICS ***

FOREWORD
LEARNING TO READ
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR
THIRD YEAR
FOURTH YEAR

Transcriber's notes.

Underlined words indicate:
Typographical errors that were corrected.
Words that were not clearly visible on the scanned images.
Duplicate words in word lists.
Underlined letters indicate:
Diacritical marks and special characters that may not be visible in all browsers.
Words such as thot, thotfully and thoroly are spelt as per original.

How to Teach
Phonics

By

LIDA M. WILLIAMS

Primary Supervisor and Instructor of Methods,
Northern Normal and Industrial School,
ABERDEEN, SOUTH DAKOTA

Hall & McCreary Company
CHICAGO

Copyright 1916, Hall & McCreary Company
P 2143
Printed in the U.S.A.

FOREWORD

Phonics is not a method of teaching reading, but it is a necessary part of every good, modern method. It is the key to word mastery, and word mastery is one of the first essentials in learning to read. A knowledge of the sounds of letters, and of the effect of the position of the letter upon its sound, is an essential means of mastering the mechanics of reading, and of enabling children to become independent readers.

A knowledge of phonics not only gives power to pronounce new words, but it trains the ear, develops clear articulation and correct enunciation, and aids in spelling. Later, when diacritical marks are introduced, it aids in the use of the dictionary. The habit of attacking and pronouncing words of entirely new form, develops self-confidence in the child, and the pleasure he experiences in mastering difficulties without help, constantly leads to new effort.

The little foreigner, greatly handicapped where reading is taught by the word and sentence methods only, begins on an equal basis with his American neighbor, when the "Alphabet by sound" is taught.

In recent years only has the subject of phonics found a place on the daily school program; and there is perhaps, no other subject on the primary program so vaguely outlined in the average teacher's mind and therefore taught with so little system and definite purpose.

The present need is a systematic and comprehensive but simple method of phonics teaching thruout the primary grades, that will enable any teacher, using any good text in reading, to successfully teach the phonetic facts, carefully grading the difficulties by easy and consecutive steps thus preparing the pupils for independent effort in thot getting, and opening for him the door to the literary treasures of the ages.

It is with the hope of aiding the earnest teacher in the accomplishment of this purpose that "How To Teach Phonics" is published.

L.M.W.

LEARNING TO READ

Every sound and pedagogical method of teaching reading must include two basic principles.

1. Reading must begin in the life of the child, with real thought content. Whether the thought unit be a word, a sentence, or a story, it must represent some idea or image that appeals to the child's interests and adjusts itself to his experience.

2. It must proceed with a mastery of not only words, but of the sound symbols of which words are composed.

The child's love for the story, his desire to satisfy a conscious need, gives him an immediate and compelling motive for mastering the symbols, which in themselves are of incidental and subordinate interest. While he is learning to read, he feels that he is reading to learn and "symbols are turned into habit."

If the child is to understand from the beginning that reading is thot getting, we must begin with the sentence, rhyme or other language unit. If a story is the initial step, a few well chosen sentences that tell the heart of the story will constitute the first black board reading lesson.

The next step is the analysis of the sentence, or the study and recognition of the individual words therein.

Finally the word is separated into its elementary sounds, the study of the sound symbols growing out of the stock of words learned first as purely sight words.

Following this phonic analysis comes the final step, the blending of these phonic elements to produce new words. Thus gradually increasing prominence is given to the discovery of new words by this analytic-synthetic process, and less time to sight word drills, until they are entirely omitted, except for the teaching of unphonetic words.

There should be at least two ten-minute lessons in phonics each day. These lessons are not reading lessons and should not trespass on the regular reading period, when thot getting and thot giving are uppermost.

While greater prominence is given to the thot phase in reading, the technical drill and active effort in mastering the mechanical phase is of equal importance as necessary preparation for good reading.

FIRST YEAR

1. Ear Training:

From the first day a definite place on the program should be given to phonics. This period, at first very short, will gradually increase to ten, fifteen or twenty minutes.

To enable pupils to recognize words when separated into their elementary sounds, exercises in "listening and doing," will constitute the first step in phonics teaching. Words are sounded slowly and distinctly by the teacher and pronounced or acted out by the pupils.

ACTION GAME

(First Day.)

c-l-a-p | | | s-w-ee-p | | | f-l-y
b-ow | | | d-u-s-t | | | r-u-n
j-u-m-p | | | s-i-t | | | s-l-ee-p
p-u-sh | | | d-r-i-nk | | | w-a-k-e
m-a-r-ch | | | s-t-a-n-d | | | s-t-r-e-t-ch

If at first children are not able to distinguish the words when separated thus; s-t-a-n-d, d-r-i-n-k, blend the sound less slowly thus: st-and, dr-ink, gradually increasing the difficulty to st-an-d, d-r-ink, and finally to the complete analysis.

These ear training exercises should continue until a "phonetic sense" is established. Not all children can readily blend sounds and "hear the word." Patient drill for weeks, even months, may be necessary before a sense of phonetic values is attained. Haphazard and spasmodic work is fatal to progress; but a few minutes of brisk, lively drill, given regularly each day will accomplish wonders.

The exercises should be varied from day to day to insure active interest and effort.

Second Day:

Touch your n-o-se; your ch-ee-k; your ch-i-n; l-i-p-s; k-n-ee; f-oo-t; b-oo-k; p-e-n-c-i-l; d-e-s-k; sh-o-e; d-r-e-ss, etc.

Third Day:

Place a number of toys in a basket. Pupils find as the teacher sounds the name of each, saying: "Find the t-o-p"; "the s-p-oo-l;" "the d-o-ll"; "the h-o-r-n"; etc.

Fourth Day:

Sound the names of pupils in class; or names of animals; colors, fruits, places, etc.

Fifth Day:

R-u-n  to  m-e.
C-l-a-p  your  h-a-n-d-s.
W-a-v-e  the  f-l-a-g.
Cl-o-se  the  d-oo-r.
F-o-l-d  your  a-r-m-s.
B-r-i-n-g  m-e   a   r-e-d  b-a-ll.
B-ou-n-ce  the  b-a-ll.
Th-r-ow  the  b-a-ll  to  Fr-e-d.
R-i-n-g  the  b-e-ll.
H-o-p  to  m-e.
S-i-t  in   m-y  ch-air.
R-u-n to  the  ch-ar-t.
S-i-n-g  a  s-o-n-g.
B-r-i-n-g  me   the  p-oin-t-er.
B-o-w  to  m-e.
F-l-y  a  k-i-t-e.
S-w-ee-p  the  fl-oo-r.
R-o-c-k  the  b-a-b-y.
W-a-sh  your  f-a-ce.
D-u-s-t  the  ch-air-s.
Sh-a-k-e  the  r-u-g.
F-ee-d  the  h-e-n-s.
C-a-ll  the  ch-i-ck-s.
M-i-l-k  the  c-ow.
Ch-o-p  w-oo-d.
R-ow  a  b-oa-t.
B-l-ow  the  h-o-r-n.

The pupil should now begin sounding words for himself, at first, if need be, repeating the sounds after the teacher, then being encouraged to attempt them alone. He will soon be able to "spell by sound" names of common objects in the room, as well as easy and familiar words dictated by the teacher.

II. Teach the Single Consonant Sounds.

b, d, f, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, s (as in see), v, w, g (hard), c (hard), and qu as in queer.

Teach but one sound for each letter at first. Nothing need be said at this time about the fact that some letters have more than one sound. When words like "city" or "gem" occur simply explain that sometimes "c" or "g" has this sound, (giving the soft sound), but continue in the phonic drill to teach the sounds that will be needed first—those most often met in the early reading. The sounds of initial s and y are taught first, rather than final y and s; q is taught with the u—qu (as in quiet, queer, quick) not q alone.

The sounds must be given distinctly and correctly by the teacher, and she should insist on perfect responses. Good reading is impossible without clear and distinct articulation.

1. Analyze Known Words in Teaching the Consonant Sounds.

For the first lesson teach perhaps two consonant sounds. Suppose the words "ball" and "red" are chosen to be analyzed as words familiar to the class. (Selected from the reading lessons as the ones best known and most easily remembered.)

Write "b all" on the board, and pointing to the separated parts, sound slowly several times. Pupils repeat. Teacher say, "Show the letter that says 'b.' The part that says 'all.' Write "b" under "ball" thus:

b all
b

Pupil sound "b" several times, as it is written elsewhere on the black board.

Proceed with "red" in the same way. Keep these two forms,

b all | | | r ed
b | | | r

before the class, asking frequently for the sounds until thoroly fixed in mind.

For the second lesson, review "b" and "r" and teach one or two new consonants. It is better to have short and frequent lessons at first, than to present too many sounds at once, resulting in confusion.

Suppose "c" is to be taught next and the type word chosen is "cup." It is not necessary to teach the consonants in the order in which they occur in the alphabet,—it will depend rather upon the occurrence in the primer of the words chosen for type words. Write the word "cup." Pupils recognize it at once as a sight word, and pronounce. Rewrite it, separating it thus, c up, and let the pupils make an effort to sound the parts alone. If they fail, sound it for them asking them to repeat it after you. Proceed as with "ball" and "red," being sure that each one gives the sound correctly.

(1.) After teaching "c" say, "Who can find a word on the chart beginning with this sound?" "In your books?" "on the blackboard?" the pupil sounding the letter as he points to it.

(2) Say, "I'm thinking of another word beginning with "c." "It is something Grandpa uses in walking." (Cane.) "I'm thinking of something sweet that you like to eat." (Cake) (Candy) "Of the name of someone in this class." (Clara) (Carl) "A little yellow bird." (Canary) "You think of a word beginning with that sound." "Another." "Another."

2. Begin At Once Applying Knowledge of the Sounds Learned.

As new words are met containing known sounds, the pupils should apply their knowledge of phonics. For example, if the word "catch" appears, the pupils sound "c," the teacher pronouncing "atch" underlining that part of the word as she tells it,—the pupil puts these sounds together and discovers the new word for himself. If the new word is "cab," the only help from the teacher is the short sound of "a". This given the pupil sounds "a" and "b" slowly; then faster, until the result of the blended sounds is "ab." Combine "c" with "ab" in the same manner until by the blending of the sounds the word is recognized. Only such help should be given, as will enable the pupil to help himself.

"Ball," "red" and "cup" now become type words with which "b" "r" and "c" are associated respectively, and from which the pupil gets his "cue" if he fails to give the sound of the letter at sight. Thus all the consonants are taught, from suitable sight words which the child has already learned. They need not however, be the ones given here,—for "b" it may be "baby," "ball," "boy," or "box," but let it be a word familiar to the class and easily remembered. For "d" it may be "doll," "day," or "dog;" for "y", "you", "yellow", etc.

The teacher should previously go through the text and select the words she wishes to use as type words in teaching the consonant sounds.

3. First Steps in Writing and Spelling.

As each consonant sound is taught its written form may be learned. On rough manila paper, using waxed crayons, make copies of the letters about two inches in height, for each pupil. At his desk the child traces with his fore finger, going over the smooth path again and again—thus developing psycho-motor co-ordination. Each time the letter is traced, the pupil sounds it softly, and as soon as he is sure of the form, runs to the board and writes it.

The writing at first may be entirely at the blackboard, where the teacher's copy may be reproduced. For the slower ones who have difficulty with the form, a good practice is to "write it in the air," the pupil pointing with index finger and following the teacher as she writes, also tracing the teacher's copy with pointer, using free, rapid movement. (Tracing with crayon or pencil tends to slow, cramped writing, and should not be encouraged.) Thus when the forms of the letters are learned and associated with the sound, the pupils are able to write phonetic words from dictation as well as to "spell by sound."

4. Consonant Drill.

(1) With a rubber pen, a set of type, or with black crayola, and cardboard, a set of consonant cards may be made, one for each sound. On one side of the card is written or printed the type word with the consonant sound below; on the other side, the consonant alone, thus:

b all
b

b
B

The number of cards will increase each day as new sounds are learned. Rapid daily drill with these cards is most valuable in associating instantly the sound with its symbol and should be continued until every child knows every sound. After the analysis the side of the card containing only the consonant should be used for the drill. But if the pupil fails to give the right sound, or is unable to give any sound at all, the card should be reversed and he readily gets the right sound from the word.

Other devices for teaching the consonants are sometimes used by successful teachers who do not use the type-words and cards. For instance, the letter may be associated with its sound in this way:—The clock says "t"; the angry cat, "f"; the cow says "m"; etc. The difficulty here is to find suitable symbols for each sound. If, for example, the sounds of "l", "v" and "sh" are represented by a spinning wheel, a buzz saw, and a water wheel respectively, and if the child is not familiar with these symbols, they will not call up a definite sound in his mind; but if "l" is taught from "little," "sh" from "sheep," and "v" from "very", (or other familiar words,) there can be no uncertainty and no time need be spent by the child in laboring to retain and associate the sounds with unfamiliar symbols.

Not the method, but the motive, is the essential thing. What we want is that every child should know the consonants thoroly. Get the motive, then use the method that brings the best results with the least expenditure of time and energy.

(2) For variety in reviewing and fixing the consonant sounds, give frequent dictation exercises.

a. With all the consonants on the board, the teacher sounds any consonant, the pupil finds and repeats the sound as he points it out. As the teacher points, pupils sound, occasionally in concert, and in individual recitation of the entire list. Individual work should predominate, to make sure that the pupil is giving the correct sound and putting forth independent effort.

b. Pupils write sounds as teacher dictates. If a pupil fails to recall and write the form, the teacher may pronounce the type word and ask the pupil to sound the initial consonant (tell the first sound in the word). To illustrate: The teacher pronounces "cup", pupils sound "c", then write it. If they have mastered the written forms they will enjoy this exercise.

Children soon acquire the ability and become possessed of the desire to write whole words. Then the teacher should direct this effort, teaching the child to visualize (get a picture of the word as a whole) and write short, simple words.

5. Blending.

When a number of consonant sounds are mastered, practice in blending may begin. When the need arises—when words are met which begin with a combination of consonants the blends are taught, e.g., bright—b, r,—br, br ight, bright. f, l,—fl, fl ower, flower. Keep a separate set of cards for these blends—and drill upon them as the list grows.

(br, pl, fl, sl, cr, gl, gr, bl, cl, fr, pr, st, tr, str, sp, sw, tw, sk.)

gr ow | | | dr aw | | | pl ay
s ky | | | sm all | | | sl ay
fl ower | | | cr ow | | | st ay
st and | | | cl ean | | | fr ay
gl ass | | | pr ay | | | tr ay
br own | | | sp in | | | str ay
bl ue | | | sw ing | | | sl ow
st ore | | | sl ack | | | bl ow
tr ack | | | dw arf | | | gl ow

The teacher must pronounce the syllables that the children have, as yet, no power to master, e.g., with the word "grow", (1) the children will blend g and r, gr; (2) teacher pronounces "ow"; (3) children blend "gr" and "ow" until they recognise "grow."

Teach also the digraphs sh, ch, th, wh, as they are met in the common words in use: when, they, chick, etc.

sh eep | | ch ick | | wh at | | th at
sh ell | | ch ild | | wh en | | th is
sh y | | ch air | | wh y | | th ese
sh ore | | ch ill | | wh ere | | th ose
sh ine | | ch erry | | wh ich | | th ere
sh ow | | ch ildren | | th en | | th eir
sh e | | ch urch | | th ey | | th ey
sh all | | ch ase
sh ould | | ch est

III. Teach the Short Vowels.

Since more than 60 per cent of the vowels are short, and since short vowels outnumber long vowels by about four to one, they are taught first. Teach one vowel at a time by combining with the known consonants. And what fun it is, when short "a" is introduced, to blend it with the consonants and listen to discover "word sounds." Henceforth the children will take delight in "unlocking" new words, without the teacher's help. She will see to it, of course, that the words are simple and purely phonetic at first; as:

c-a-n, can | | h-a-d, had
c-a-p, cap | | m-a-t, mat
c-a-t, cat | | m-a-n, man
r-a-t, rat | | f-a-n, fan
h-a-t, hat | | s-a-t, sat

Whole "families" are discovered by placing the vowel with the initial or the final consonants, thus:

ca n | | r at | | f | | an
ca p | | h at | | | | an | | d
ca t | | c at | | s | | an | | d
ca b | | b at | | st | | an | | d
ma t | | f at | | l | | an | | d
ma n | | s at | | b | | an | | d

The children will enjoy forming all the families possible with the known sounds.

Short "a" Families or Phonograms.

at | | an | | ap | | ad | | ack | | ag | | and | | r ang | | b ank
b at | | c an | | c ap | | h ad | | b ack | | b ag | | b and | | s ang | | r ank
c at | | m an | | g ap | | l ad | | h ack | | f ag | | h and | | b ang | | s ank
f at | | p an | | l ap | | m ad | | J ack | | j ag | | l and | | h ang | | t ank
m at | | t an | | m ap | | g ad | | l ack | | l ag | | s and | | f ang | | bl ank
p at | | r an | | n ap | | b ad | | p ack | | n ag | | st and | | cl ang | | cr ank
N at | | f an | | r ap | | c ad | | r ack | | r ag | | gr and | | spr ang | | dr ank
s at | | b an | | s ap | | f ad | | s ack | | s ag | | br and | | Fr ank
r at | | D an | | t ap | | p ad | | t ack | | t ag | | str and | | pl ank
h at | | N an | | tr ap | | s ad | | st ack | | w ag | | th ank
th at | | V an | | str ap | | gl ad | | sl ack | | st ag
| | | | sn ap | | br ad | | tr ack | | br ag
| | | | wr ap | | | | bl ack | | dr ag

After a little drill in analyzing the words of a family, (sounding the consonant and phonogram separately) they should be pronounced at sight, analyzing the word only when the pupil fails in pronunciation.

The teacher's chart of phonograms as she works it out for herself may be something like this.

ȃ | | ĕ | | i | | ŏ | | ŭ
at | | et | | it | | ot | | ut
ack | | ed | | ick | | ock | | ub
ad | | en | | id | | od | | uck
ag | | est | | ig | | og | | ug
an | | end | | im | | op | | um
ap | | edge | | in | | ong | | un
and | | ent | | ip | | oss | | uff
ang | | ess | | ift | | | | ung
ank | | ell | | ing | | | | unk
ash | | | | ink | | | | ump
amp | | | | ill | | | | ush
| | | | | | | | ust

While this gives the teacher a working chart, it is neither necessary nor advisable that the above order be always followed in teaching the phonograms and sounding series of words, nor that they be systematically completed before other phonograms found in the words of the reading lessons are taught. Such phonograms as "ound" from "found", "un" from "run", "ight" from "bright", "est" from "nest", "ark" from "lark", etc., may be taught as soon as these sight words are made a part of the child's reading vocabulary.

f ound | | r un | | br ight
ound | | un | | ight
s ound | | f un | | m ight
r ound | | s un | | r ight
gr ound | | b un | | f ight
b ound | | g un | | fr ight
p ound | | n un | | l ight
f ound | | r un | | s ight
h ound | | s un | | sl ight
ar ound | | st un | | n ight

n est | | l ark | | c atch
est | | ark | | atch
b est | | d ark | | h atch
l est | | b ark | | m atch
p est | | m ark | | m atch
r est | | h ark | | b atch
t est | | p ark | | l atch
v est | | sp ark | | p atch
w est | | st ark | | th atch
cr est | | sh ark | | scr atch
ch est | | | | sn atch
gu est

Attention is not called here to the various vowel sounds, but the complete phonogram is taught at sight.

Short "e" Phonograms.

| | bed | | h en | | b end | | b ent
| | fed | | d en | | l end | | c ent
| | led | | p en | | m end | | d ent
| | n ed | | m en | | s end | | l ent
| | r ed | | B en | | t end | | s ent
| | Fr ed | | t en | | bl end | | r ent
| | sh ed | | wr en | | sp end | | t ent
| | sl ed | | th en | | tr end | | w ent
| | bl ed | | wh en | | | | sp ent
| | gl en

edge | | B ess | | b ell | | sh ell
h edge | | l ess | | c ell | | sm ell
l edge | | bl ess | | s ell | | sp ell
s edge | | ch ess | | t ell | | sw ell
w edge | | dr ess | | f ell | | dw ell
pl edge | | pr ess | | n ell
sl edge | | gu ess | | w ell

Short "i" Phonograms.

D ick | | s ick | | cl ick | | th ick
k ick | | t ick | | qu ick | | tr ick
l ick | | w ick | | sl ick
p ick | | br ick | | st ick

b id | | p ig | | d im | | p in | | th in
d id | | b ig | | h im | | t in | | tw in
h id | | f ig | | J im | | b in
k id | | d ig | | r im | | f in
l id | | r ig | | T im | | s in
r id | | w ig | | tr im | | w in
sl id | | tw ig | | br im | | ch in
sk id | | | | sk im | | gr in
| | | | sl im | | sk in
| | | | sw im | | sp in

d ip | | l ift | | s ing | | p ink | | b ill
h ip | | g ift | | k ing | | l ink | | f ill
l ip | | s ift | | r ing | | m ink | | h ill
n ip | | dr ift | | w ing | | s ink | | J ill
r ip | | sh ift | | br ing | | w ink | | k ill
s ip | | sw ift | | cl ing | | bl ink | | m ill
t ip | | thr ift | | sl ing | | br ink | | p ill
ch ip | | | | st ing | | dr ink | | t ill
cl ip | | | | str ing | | ch ink | | w ill
sl ip | | | | spr ing | | cl ink | | ch ill
dr ip | | | | sw ing | | shr ink | | sp ill
gr ip | | | | th ing | | th ink | | st ill
sh ip | | | | wr ing | | | | tr ill
sk ip
tr ip
str ip
wh ip

Short "o" Phonograms.

B ob | | n od | | c ock | | d og
c ob | | p od | | l ock | | h og
r ob | | r od | | r ock | | l og
s ob | | h od | | s ock | | f og
m ob | | c od | | m ock | | fr og
j ob | | cl od | | bl ock | | c og
f ob | | pl od | | cl ock | | j og
kn ob | | tr od | | cr ock | | cl og
thr ob | | sh od | | fl ock
| | | | kn ock
| | | | st ock

h op | | t op | | sh op
m op | | st op | | sl op
l op | | dr op | | pr op
s op | | cr op

s ong | | l oss
l ong | | t oss
d ong | | R oss
g ong | | m oss
str ong | | b oss
wr ong | | cr oss
pr ong | | fl oss
thr ong | | gl oss

Phonograms Containing Short "u".

r ub | | d uck | | b ug | | r un
t ub | | l uck | | h ug | | s un
c ub | | t uck | | j ug | | f un
h ub | | cl uck | | l ug | | b un
cl ub | | pl uck | | m ug | | g un
gr ub | | sh uck | | p ug | | sp un
scr ub | | tr uck | | r ug | | st un
st ub | | str uck | | t ug | | sh un
sn ub | | | | dr ug
| | | | pl ug
| | | | sn ug

dr um | | c uff | | r ung
pl um | | m uff | | s ung
ch um | | p uff | | h ung
g um | | h uff | | l ung
h um | | b uff | | cl ung
sc um | | bl uff | | fl ung
gl um | | gr uff | | sl ung
| | st uff | | st ung
| | | | spr ung
| | | | sw ung
| | | | str ung

b unk | | j ump | | h ush | | m ust
h unk | | b ump | | m ush | | j ust
j unk | | l ump | | r ush | | r ust
ch unk | | h ump | | g ush | | d ust
dr unk | | p ump | | br ush | | cr ust
sk unk | | d ump | | cr ush | | tr ust
sp unk | | st ump | | bl ush | | thr ust
tr unk | | th ump | | pl ush
| | | | thr ush

From the beginning review daily the phonograms taught.

Thus by means of these daily drills in pronunciation, the pupil gains power in mastering new words. He constantly makes intelligent and practical application of the knowledge he has gained in pronouncing a letter or a combination of letters in a certain way, under certain conditions.

Diacritical Marks

The child has no need of diacritical marks at this time; indeed he has little need for them until the fourth year, when the use of the dictionary is taught. The new dictionaries greatly simplify the matter of mastering the diacritical marks, and lessen the number needed, by re-writing unphonetic words in simple phonetic spelling.

During the first three years do not retard the child's progress, and weaken his power to apply the knowledge which his previous experience has given him, by marking words to aid him in pronunciation. At best, the marks are artificial and questionable aids.

PHONIC PLAYS

Much necessary drill can be made interesting by infusing the spirit of play into an exercise that would otherwise be formal.

1. "Hide and Seek"

"Hide and Seek" at once suggests a game. The teacher introduces it simply by saying: "We'll play these sounds are hiding from us. Who can find them?"

Place the consonant cards on the blackboard ledge. The teacher writes any consonant on the board and immediately erases it. A pupil finds the card containing the same consonant, sounds it, and replaces the card.

Teacher writes several sounds on the board, then erases them. Pupil finds corresponding sounds on cards, in the order written.

2. "Fishing"

(Fish in pond.) Cards placed in a row on black board ledge. (Catching fish.) Pupil takes as many as he can sound correctly.

Single and blended consonants, and digraphs written on cardboard cut in form of fish, and put into the mirror lake on the sand table. Children "catch fish" in turn.

3. "Guess."

A pupil thinks of a word containing a known phonogram, which is communicated to the teacher. The child standing before the class then says, "I am thinking of a word belonging to the "an" family." The word, we will say, is "fan." A child who is called on asks, "Is it c an?" The first child replies, "It is not can." Another asks, "Is it m an?" etc., until the correct word is discovered.

4. "Run Home."

For reviewing phonograms and fixing the vowel sounds as well, the following game is used.

Draw pictures of several houses on the board, writing a different phonogram in each, explaining that these are the names of the families living there, as, "ed," "eg," "est," "en," etc. Distribute to the class cards containing a word with one of these endings, and let "the children run home." Those holding the words ten, pen, men and hen, will run to the house where "en" lives. The children holding rest, best, nest, etc., will group themselves at the house of "est."

Again let several children represent mothers and stand before the class holding phonograms. As Mother "ed" calls her children, those holding cards containing red, led, fed, Fred, and bed, will run to her. If a child belonging to the "est" family should come, she will send back the stray child, saying pleasantly, "You do not belong in my family." A little voice drill as practiced in the music lesson may be used here. The mother calls "Children" on 1 and 8 of the scale (low and high do thus:

1-8           8-1
child-dren), the children replying as they come, "We're here."

For individual tests let the mother call out all her children from the other families, the children coming to her as she calls their card names.

RHYME STORIES

Enliven the phonic drills occasionally by originating little rhymes, using the words of the series to be reviewed. Write the words on the board in columns, or upon cards. As the teacher repeats a line of the jingle, she pauses for the children to supply the rhyme words.

Grandma was taking a cozy nap
Her hands were folded in her (lap)
When she wakened she heard a (tap)
In the maple tree that was full of (sap.)
She soon spied the tapper—he wore a red (cap)
White vest and black coat, and his wings gave a (flap)
As he hopped about with a rap-a-tap-(tap)
What did he want—was he looking for (sap)?
Ah no, but for grubs, which he ate quick as (snap)
Can you name this gay drummer who wears a red (cap)?

II.

As soon as possible introduce a number of phonograms into the same story.

I have a little pet
Who is as black as (jet)
She sits upon a mat
And watches for a (rat.)
Her coat is smooth as silk,
She likes to drink sweet (milk)
She grows so fast and fat
That soon she'll be a (cat)
Can't you guess? Now what a pity
'Tis the dearest little (     ).

SPELLING BY SOUND

An easy step now, which the children will enjoy is the writing of the words of given families as a dictation exercise, followed by sentences as soon as the use of the capital and period have been taught. Such sentences as the following may be given after a number of short "a" phonograms are mastered:

The cat sat on a mat.
Nan has a fan.
The cat is fat.
The cat can see the pan.
The man has a hat.
Dan has a bat.
Dan has a hat and a cap.
The bag is in the cab.

When phonograms containing the other short vowels are known, words may be pronounced miscellaneously from different series or families; as, run, cap, pet, ran, pin, top, followed by sentences made up of miscellaneous words, as,—

"Run red hen."
"Nan has a fan."
"Get the hat pin."
"Ned can spin a top."
"Nat set the trap."
"Jack run back and get the sack."
"A fat man got in the hack."
"Can Sam get the hat?"

THE ALPHABET AND ORAL SPELLING

The names of letters should not be formally taught until their sounds are thoroly fixed in mind; otherwise the names and sounds will be confused. Pupils who begin by "learning their letters" will be found spelling out a word (naming over the letters) in order to arrive at the pronunciation. Attention must be focused on the sounds only, at first. When the consonant sounds are mastered by every member of the class, and they have gained some proficiency in pronouncing words by blending these with the short and long vowel sounds, the names of the letters may be taught, and the alphabet committed to memory in order.

While as a rule, most children learn the majority of the letters incidentally by the end of the first year, it often happens that some remain ignorant of the alphabetical order until they come to use the dictionary, and are greatly handicapped.

To Associate the Name of the Letter With Its Sound.

(1) The teacher names the letter as she points to it and the children give the corresponding sound; (2) As the teacher sounds the letter, pupils name the letter sounded. (3) Repeat with the letters erased from the board.

Oral spelling may begin after the sounds have first been mastered—and as soon as the names of the letters are taught. Spell only the phonetic words at first. The lists of families of words which have been written from dictation may now be spelled orally.

The spelling recitation may be both oral and written, but written spelling should predominate the first year. Unphonetic words should be taught by visualizing—getting the form of the word as a whole. The teacher writes the word on the board in free rapid hand, pupils observe for a moment, getting a mental picture of the form; the word is erased by the teacher, and reproduced on the board by the pupil.

While oral spelling aids the "ear-minded" pupil and gives variety in the recitation, written spelling should predominate for the reasons that (1) in practical life, spelling is used almost wholly in expressing thought in writing; (2) the eye and hand should be trained equally with the ear. It is often true that good oral spellers will fail in writing the same words for want of practice. (3) In the written recitation each pupil can spell a greater number of words and in less time than is possible in oral spelling.

SEAT WORK

1. Distribute pages from magazines or old readers and let pupils underline words beginning with a certain consonant (the one being taught). If different colored pencils are used, the same pages can be used a number of times. When the "m" sound is being taught let all words beginning with that sound be marked with black; at another seat work period, words beginning with "b" are marked with "green;" and again, words beginning with "f" sound are marked with blue pencils, etc.

Underline digraphs, blended consonants, and phonograms.

2. The teacher writes a phonogram on the board and below it all the consonant sounds from which words may be built. Pupils write the entire words.

3. Phonograms are written on the board; pupils supply consonants and write out the words.

4. Have a number of phonograms and three or four sets of consonants in envelopes. Give an envelope to each child and let him build the words on his desk. Duplicate copies can be made on a hectograph, one set for each lesson; then if one envelope from each set is preserved, those miscellaneous lessons can be used in review for a long time, each child using a different set each time.

5. Write on the board lists of words ending in various phonograms and let the children re-write them, arranging in columns according to phonograms.

6. Write families from memory.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS

1. At least two daily periods should be given to phonics. The first lessons will be short, but after some advance has been made, ten to fifteen minutes should be given.

2. As far as possible let the words for phonic drill be those that will occur in the new reading lessons.

3. Constantly review all familiar sounds, phonograms, digraphs, blends, etc., when met in new words, and so teach pupils to apply their knowledge of phonics.

4. Teaching them to "pantomime" the sounds—representing them mutely by movement of the lips, tongue and palate, will aid them in silent study at their seats.

5. By the end of the first year the pupil's phonetic knowledge, combined with his vocabulary of sight words and his power to discover a new word, either phonetically or by the context, ought to enable him to read independently any primer, and to read during the year from eight to twelve or more primers and first readers.

6. In reading, pupils should be taught to get the meaning chiefly by context—by the parts which precede or follow the difficult word and are so associated with it as to throw light upon its meaning.

7. When a word cannot be pronounced phonetically, the teacher should assist by giving the sound needed, but the pupil will soon discover that by using his wits in phonics as in other things, he can get the new word for himself by the sense of what he is reading, e.g., in the sentence, "The farmer came into the field" he meets the new word "field." Naturally a second year pupil, who has learned the reasons for sounding will apply the long sound of "i;"—as he reads it does not make sense, so he tries short "i." Still the sentence is meaningless, so he tries again with "e" and reads a sentence which satisfies him, because the meaning is clear.

If the first year pupil pronounces the word "coat" as co-at (recognizing the last combination as a member of the "at" family) the teacher will underline and call his attention to the digraph "oa" which he has already learned to pronounce as long "o." Most pupils however, meeting the word in a sentence—as, "The caterpillar's coat is green"—would, if reading thotfully recognize the word by the context.

8. Drill on obscure sounds should be omitted the first year. Unphonetic words should be taught as sight words: as: one, many, been, said, they, ought, eight.

9. Begin to combine words and syllables into longer words as soon as possible: door-step, in-deed, hand-some, be-fore, ham-mer-ing, in-no-cent, for-get-ful, car-pen-ter, side-walk, mis-take.

10. Give time increasingly to analytic-synthetic word study, e.g.—"eight" and "rain" are taught as sight words.

| | | eigh | t | | r | ain
Analysis: | | | eigh | | | | ain
| | w | eigh | | | p | ain
| | w | eight | | | pl | ain
Synthesis: | | n | eigh | | | com | plain
| | n | eigh | bor | | com | plain | ing

ARTICULATION

Exercises to correct faulty articulation and secure flexibility should be given frequently. Constant vigilance is necessary in overcoming the common errors shown in the following examples.

"I will eat you," said the troll. (not "e-chew")
Dear little baby, close your eye. (not "clo-zhure eye")
"I will then," said Red Hen, and she did. (not "an' she did.")
Put your right hand in. (not "put chure")
—you, and you, and you. (an' Jew.)
Father will meet you (meat chew) at the station.
The leaves turned to red and gold. (red Dan gold)
"No matter what you hear, (what chew) no matter what you see, Raggylug, don't you move." (don't chew)
Tender flowers come forth to greet her. (gree-ter)
It is not at all (a-tall) like the mother bird.

Have the pupils practice such exercises as:—

Did you? Don't you? Would you? Should you? Could you? (Not "did Jew," "don't chew" etc.)
Where shall I meet you? (not meat chew)
When shall I meet you?
She sells sea shells.

Pupils usually have difficulty with words ending in sts, dth, pth. Lists of such words should be drilled upon:—

Nests, vests, posts, hosts, boasts, fists, mists, frosts, length, breadth, depth.

"He thrusts his fists against the posts, And still insists he sees the ghosts."

(If necessary show the pupils how to adjust the vocal organs to make the different sounds.)

m, n, ng (nasal)

p, b, w, m (lips)
f, v (lips and teeth)
t, d, s, z, n (tongue and hard palate.)
j, ch, (tongue and hard palate-back)
k, g, ng (tongue and soft palate.)
y, l (tongue, hard palate and soft palate.)
p, b, d, t, j, k, h, g, ch (momentary)
w, f, v, s, l, r, y, th, sh (continuous)

The majority of children learn the sounds by imitation and repetition. The above is to help the teacher in giving the sounds correctly.

SECOND YEAR

I. Review Single and Blended Consonants, Digraphs, Short and Long Vowels, and All Phonograms.

II. Continue Pronouncing Exercises, Teaching New Phonograms.

Continue word study by the analytic-synthetic process. These phonic drills will deal largely with the new words that occur in the daily reading lessons.

III. Syllabication.

In mastering the pronunciation of new words, pupils should acquire the habit of analyzing them into syllables.

The ear must be trained to hear syllables, they should be separately pronounced, and clearly imaged. This makes for effective spelling later. Most of the difficulties in spelling are removed when the habit of breaking up a complex word into its elements is acquired.

re mem ber | | ther mom e ter
sep a rate | | in de pen dence
dan de lion | | mul ti pli ca tion
beau ti ful | | re frig er a tor

IV. Teach the Long Vowel Sounds.

We have found that the short vowels predominate in the English language. The long vowel sounds come next in frequency. When the child has mastered the letters and combinations representing these two sounds, he is able to recognize a large majority of the phonetic words in our language.

Phonetic words follow definite rules of pronunciation. These rules are not to be formally taught in the first and second years, but pointed out by examples, so that the visual and auditory image may be associated.

To illustrate: When there are two or more vowels in a word of one syllable, the first vowel is long, and the last silent, as: came, leaf, coat, rain.

"When there is one vowel in the word and it is the last, it is long," as: me, he, fly.

All vowels are short unless modified by position.

Have the children notice the effect of final "e" upon some of their short vowel words. These lists will furnish good pronunciation drills.

mat | | mate | | bit | | bite | | tap | | tape
pan | | pane | | rod | | rode | | fad | | fade
fat | | fate | | hat | | hate | | mad | | made
can | | cane | | pin | | pine | | rat | | rate
not | | note | | rob | | robe | | pet | | Pete
man | | mane | | din | | dine | | dim | | dime
cap | | cape | | fin | | fine | | spin | | spine
hid | | hide | | mop | | mope | | kit | | kite
hop | | hope | | plum | | plume | | rip | | ripe
tub | | tube | | | | | | cub | | cube
| | | | | | | | cut | | cute
| | | | | | | | tun | | tune

Call attention to the vowel digraphs in the same way: ea, ai, oa, ay.

deaf | | seat | | bean
neat | | leaves | | meat
heat | | peach | | lean
please | | eagle | | clean
eat | | seam | | teach
mean | | stream | | glean
read | | squeal | | wean

While there are exceptions, as in the words "head" and "bread," the digraph "ea" has the sound of long "e" in nearly three-fourths of the words in which it occurs and should be so taught. The visual image "ea" should call up the auditory image of long "e." When the child meets the exceptions the context must be relied on to aid him.

Likewise in the following list, the new fact to be taught is the digraph "ai" having the long sound of "a." Blending the initial and final consonants with this, the pupil pronounces the new list of words without further aid.

rain | | chain | | faith | | daisy
wait | | main | | paint | | daily
nail | | brain | | faint | | plainly
pail | | drain | | snail | | waist
pain | | claim | | frail | | complain
pain | | train | | praise | | sailor
aim | | plain | | quail | | raise
maid | | braid | | sprain | | trail
mail

The digraph "oa" and "ay" may be taught with equal ease the first year. There is no reason for deferring them; they should be taught as soon as the children have need for them.

coat | | toast | | roar
load | | goat | | roam
float | | road | | moan
toad | | roam | | throat
oar | | boat | | oat meal
croak | | soar | | foam
loaf | | soap | | coarse
loaves | | groan | | board
goal | | boast | | cloak
coach | | poach | | roast

say | | day | | may | | gay
hay | | play | | slay | | pray
lay | | clay | | dray | | gray
nay | | bray | | way | | stay
pay | | tray | | sway | | spray
ray | | stray | | jay | | stray

LONG VOWEL PHONOGRAMS

(These lists are for rapid pronunciation drills.)

c ame | | f ade | | f ace | | sh ape
l ame | | m ade | | l ace | | gr ape
g ame | | w ade | | p ace | | m ate
n ame | | bl ade | | r ace | | d ate
s ame | | gr ade | | br ace | | f ate
t ame | | sh ade | | Gr ace | | g ate
bl ame | | sp ade | | pl ace | | h ate
fl ame | | gl ade | | sp ace | | K ate
sh ame | | tr ade | | tr ace

c age | | b ake | | s ale | | l ate
p age | | c ake | | b ale | | r ate
r age | | l ake | | p ale | | cr ate
s age | | m ake | | t ale | | gr ate
w age | | r ake | | sc ale | | pl ate
st age | | s ake | | st ale | | sk ate
| | t ake | | wh ale | | st ate
| | w ake | | g ale | | g ave
c ane | | dr ake | | d ale | | s ave
l ane | | fl ake | | c ape | | c ave
m ane | | qu ake | | t ape | | p ave
p ane | | sh ake | | cr ape | | r ave
v ane | | sn ake | | dr ape | | w ave
cr ane | | st ake | | scr ape | | br ave
pl ane | | br ake | | | | gr ave
| | | | | | sh ave
| | | | | | sl ave
| | | | | | st ave
| | | | | | cr ave

b e | | h eed | | s eek
h e | | s eed | | m eek
m e | | w eed | | w eek
w e | | r eed | | ch eek
sh e | | bl eed | | cr eek
th e | | br eed | | sl eek
tr ee | | gr eed | | p eek
s ee | | sp eed | | Gr eek
b ee | | st eed | | f eet
th ee | | fr eed | | b eet
fl ee | | f eel | | m eet
kn ee | | p eel | | fl eet
fr ee | | h eel | | gr eet
thr ee | | r eel | | sh eet
gl ee | | kn eel | | sl eet
sk ee | | st eel | | str eet
d eed | | wh eel | | sw eet
n eed
f eed

p eep | | d eem
d eep | | s eem
k eep | | t eem
ch eep | | br eeze
w eep | | fr eeze
cr eep | | sn eeze
sh eep | | squ eeze
sl eep | | wh eeze
st eep
sw eep

d eer | | m ice | | pr ide | | kn ife
ch eer | | n ice | | gl ide | | str ife
qu eer | | r ice | | gu ide | | h igh
sh eer | | pr ice | | sl ide | | s igh
st eer | | sl ice | | str ide | | n igh
sn eer | | sp ice | | d ie | | th igh
gr een | | tr ice | | t ie | | l ight
qu een | | tw ice | | l ie | | m ight
pr een | | r ide | | d ied | | r ight
scr een | | s ide | | dr ied | | br ight
w een | | h ide | | fr ied | | f ight
spl een | | t ide | | sp ied | | n ight
s een | | w ide | | l ife | | s ight
k een | | br ide | | w ife
| | | | f ife

t ight | | f ind | | t ire
fr ight | | m ind | | w ire
sl ight | | b ind | | f ire
kn ight | | r ind | | h ire
| | w ind | | m ire
l ike | | bl ind | | sp ire
d ike | | gr ind | | squ ire
p ike
h ike | | f ine | | k ite
t ike | | d ine | | b ite
sp ike | | m ine | | m ite
str ike | | n ine | | qu ite
p ine | | sm ite
p ile | | v ine | | sp ite
t ile | | br ine | | spr ite
m ile | | sh ine | | wh ite
N ile | | sp ine | | wr ite
f ile | | sw ine
sm ile | | th ine | | f ive
st ile | | tw ine | | h ive
wh ile | | wh ine | | d ive
| | | | l ive
d ime | | r ipe | | dr ive
l ime | | p ipe | | str ive
t ime | | w ipe | | thr ive
ch ime | | sn ipe
sl ime | | tr ipe | | m y
pr ime | | str ipe | | b y
| | | | fl y
| | | | cr y

dr y | | c old | | b one | | ch ose
fr y | | s old | | dr one | | th ose
pr y | | b old | | ph one | | cl ose
sh y | | m old | | sh one | | w ove
sk y | | t old | | thr one | | dr ove
sl y | | f old | | | | gr ove
sp y | | g old | | r ope | | cl ove
spr y | | h old | | h ope | | st ove
st y | | sc old | | d ope
tr y | | | | sl ope | | h oe
wh y | | h ole | | | | t oe
| | p ole | | c ore | | J oe
r obe | | m ole | | m ore | | f oe
gl obe | | s ole | | p ore | | w oe
r ode | | st ole | | t ore
j oke | | wh ole | | w ore | | d oor
p oke | | r oll | | s ore | | fl oor
w oke | | tr oll | | ch ore
br oke | | str oll | | sh ore | | m ow
ch oke | | | | sn ore | | r ow
sm oke | | c olt | | st ore | | s ow
sp oke | | b olt | | | | b ow
str oke | | j olt | | t orn | | bl ow
| | v olt | | w orn | | sl ow
| | | | sh orn | | sn ow
| | h ome | | | | cr ow
| | t one | | r ose | | fl ow
| | st one | | n ose | | gl ow
| | | | h ose | | gr ow
| | | | p ose | | kn ow
| | | | | | sh ow

thr ow | | t ube | | bl ue
s own | | c ube | | d ue
bl own | | m ule | | h ue
gr own | | f ume | | c ue
fl own | | pl ume | | gl ue
thr own | | J une | | fl ue
| | t une
| | c ure
| | p ure

The Diphthongs oi, oy, ou, ow.

oi | | oy | | m ound | | ow
b oil | | b oy | | gr ound | | c ow
s oil | | j oy | | c ount | | n ow
t oil | | t oy | | m ount | | h ow
c oil | | R oy | | h our | | b ow
br oil | | tr oy | | fl our | | br ow
sp oil | | ou | | h ouse | | f owl
| | | | m ouse | | h owl
v oice | | l oud | | bl ouse | | gr owl
ch oice | | cl oud | | p out | | sc owl
c oin | | pr oud | | sh out | | d own
j oin | | c ouch | | sp out | | g own
j oint | | p ouch | | spr out | | t own
p oint | | s ound | | st out | | br own
n oise | | b ound | | tr out | | cl own
m oist | | r ound | | m outh | | cr own
| | f ound | | s outh | | dr own
| | w ound | | | | fr own

DIGRAPHS

(For rapid pronunciation drills.)

sh | | ch | | th | | wh | | th
sh eep | | ch ick | | bath | | wh en | | then
sh ell | | ch ild | | both | | wh y | | they
sh y | | ch air | | doth | | wh ere | | these
sh ore | | ch ill | | mirth | | wh ich | | those
sh ine | | ch erry | | worth | | wh at | | the
sh ow | | ch ildren | | birth | | wh ile | | thy
sh e | | ch urch | | tooth | | wh ose | | that
sh all | | ch ase | | loth | | wh ite | | this
sh ould | | ch est | | girth | | wh ale | | thus
sh ake | | ch ange | | thin | | wh eat | | thine
sh ame | | ch alk | | thick | | wh eel | | there
sh ape | | ch ain | | think | | wh ack | | their
sh are | | ch ance | | throat | | wh ip | | them
sh ark | | ch arge | | thorn | | wh irl | | though
sh arp | | ch ap | | three | | wh et | | thou
sh awl | | ch apel | | third | | wh ey
sh ed | | ch apter | | thaw | | wh isper
sh ear | | ch arm | | | | wh istle
sh epherd | | ch eck

THIRD YEAR

I. Rules or Reasons for Sounds.

(The effect of the position of the letter upon its sound.)

II. Effect of "r" Upon Vowels.

III. Equivalents.

IV. Teach Vowel Sounds Other Than Long and Short Sounds, by Analyzing Known Words and Phonograms.

Pupils know the phonogram "ark," learned when the following list of words was pronounced: bark, dark, hark, lark, mark, park, shark, etc. Attention is now called to the long Italian "a" sound (two dots above) and other lists pronounced; as, farm, barn, sharp, charm. Broad "a" (two dots below) is taught by recalling the familiar phonogram "all" and the series: ball, fall, call, tall, small, etc., pronounced. Also other lists containing this sound: as, walk, salt, caught, chalk, haul, claw, cause.

(The rules for sounds apply to the individual syllables in words of more than one syllable as well as to monosyllables.)

HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN VOWELS AND CONSONANTS

Before the rules for the sounds are taken up, it will be necessary that the pupils know how to distinguish the vowels from the consonants.

Have the vowels on the board, also lists of words, and drill on finding the vowels in the lists. The teacher says, "These letters are called vowels." "How many vowels are there?" "Find a vowel in this word"—pointing to one of the words in the lists. As the pupil finds it he says, "This is a vowel." Find the vowels in all the words in the lists.

PHONICS AND LANGUAGE

When the vowels and consonants can be distinguished, pupils can be taught the use of the articles "a" and "an".

"An" is used before words beginning with vowels; "a" before words beginning with consonants. Lists of words are placed on the board to be copied, and the proper article supplied.

apple | | ball
stem | | eye
peach | | owl
orange | | flower
table | | uncle
| | ink-stand

Use the article "the" with the same list of words in oral expression, pronouncing "the" with the long sound of "e" before words beginning with vowels, as "The apple," "The ink-stand."

The apple is on the table.
The peach is ripe.
The flower and the orange are for you.
The owl has bright eyes.
The ice is smooth and hard.
Grandfather sits in the arm chair.
Is the envelope sealed?
The old man leans on the cane.

RULES OR REASONS FOR SOUNDS

The real difficulty in phonics lies in the fact that the pronunciation of the English language abounds in inconsistencies. Its letters have no fixed values and represent different sounds in different words.

While there are but twenty-six letters in the English alphabet there are forty-four elementary sounds in the English language.

Thus far but one sound for each consonant has been taught and emphasized. Incidentally the fact that some of the letters have more than one sound has been discovered, as c in city, g in gentle,—but now definite teaching is given concerning them. The new sound is taught with its diacritical mark and the reason given, e.g. "c before e, i, or y is soft."

When a reason or rule for marking is given, lists of words illustrating the rule should be sounded and pronounced. The teacher marks the word as the reason is given. Lists of words may be marked by the pupils as a dictation exercise.

The above use of diacritical marks does not apply to the pernicious practice of marking words to aid in pronunciation, but to show the purpose of marks, which is merely to indicate the sound.

Teach that the sound of the letter depends upon its position in the word, and not upon the diacritical marks.

REASONS FOR SOUNDS

1. When there is one vowel in the word and it is at the last, it is long.

me | | he | | my | | sky
be | | the | | by | | cry
we | | she | | fly | | try

2. One vowel in the word, not at the last, is short; as, mat, nest, pond.

(Refer to short vowel lists to test this rule.)

3. When there are two or more vowels in a syllable, or a word of one syllable the first vowel is long, and the last are silent; as: mate, sneeze, day. (Teacher marks the long and silent vowels as the reason for the sound is given.)

Children mark these words and give reason: game, kite, make, coat, meat, wait.

After rules (1 to 3) are clearly developed, apply them by marking and pronouncing these words and giving reasons.

coat | | man | | neat
he | | nine | | box
sun | | feel | | kite
she | | run | | me
take | | we | | seam
heat | | bit | | tan
bite | | mad | | made
take | | cape | | the
mane | | cap | | lake

Rule 4.

When double consonants occur, the last is silent; tell, back.

back | | bell | | kill | | dress | | duck
Jack | | fell | | till | | Jess | | tack
pack | | Nell | | fill | | less | | press
lack | | Bell | | pill | | neck | | luck
sack | | sell | | will | | Bess | | still
tack | | tell | | hill | | block | | stick
shall | | well | | mill | | peck | | trill
shell | | yell | | rock | | clock | | struck

Rule 5.

T before ch is silent: catch.

hatch | | switch | | ditch
match | | stretch | | pitch
latch | | thatch | | stitch
patch | | sketch | | fetch
hitch | | scratch | | match
watch | | snatch | | crutch

Rule 6.

N before g, the sound of ng (ṉ): sing, also n before k—ṉg,—iṉk.

bang | | song | | lank
rang | | long | | bank
sang | | strong | | sank
hang | | thing | | tank
wink | | cling | | sung
sink | | swing | | lung
think | | sing | | swung
brink | | sting | | stung

Rule 7.

Initial k before n is silent—knife.

knee | | knew | | know
knack | | knot | | knock
knob | | knell | | knife
knelt | | known | | kneel

Rule 8.

Initial w before r is silent—write.

wry | | wren | | written
wring | | wreak | | wrist
wrong | | wrote | | wriggle
write | | wretch | | wrench
wrap | | wreath | | writing

Rule 9.

Initial g before n is silent—gnaw.

gnat | | gnarl | | gnu
gnaw | | gneiss | | gnome

Rule 10.

C before e, i or y is soft.—cent, city, cypress.

face | | cent | | nice
lace | | cell | | price
place | | ice | | slice
race | | rice | | twice
Grace | | mice | | cypress
cylinder | | cyclone

(Hard c is found before a, o, and u or a consonant.)

Rule 11.

G before e, i or y is soft,—gentle, giant, gypsy. (Get and give are common exceptions.)

age | | gentle | | gem
cage | | gin | | gypsy
page | | gill | | giraffe
rage | | ginger | | wage
sage | | giant | | gipsy

Exercise—Pronounce and mark the following words, and tell whether they contain the soft or hard sounds of g.

go | | gay | | gate | | globe
dog | | bag | | garden | | glass
gentle | | cage | | general | | forge
geese | | gather | | wagon | | glove
gem | | game | | George | | forget
germ | | Gill | | Grace | | grain

Note effect of final e on hard g.

rag | | rage | | sag | | sage
wag | | wage | | stag | | stage

Rule 12.

I before gh—i is long and gh silent—night.

light | | right | | fight
night | | bright | | fright
sight | | high | | slight
might | | thigh | | flight
tight | | sigh | | plight

Rule 13.

Final y in words of more than one syllable is short,—cherry.

dainty | | pity | | ferry
plainly | | city | | lightly
rainy | | naughty | | berry
daisy | | thirty | | merry
daily | | dreary | | cherry

Rule 14.

Final e in words of more than one syllable is silent.—gentle, Nellie.

Rule 15.

Effect of r upon vowels.

er̃ | | ir̃ | | or̃ | | ur̃
her | | bird | | work | | urn
fern | | sir | | word | | turn
term | | stir | | worm | | hurt
herd | | girl | | world | | purr
jerk | | first | | worst | | burn
ever | | chirp | | worth | | churn
serve | | whirl | | worse | | burst
perch | | thirst | | worship | | church
kernel | | fir | | worthy | | curve
verse | | firm | | worry | | curb
verb | | third | | | | fur
germ | | birth | | | | blur
herb | | birch | | | | curd
stern | | thirty | | | | curl

OTHER EQUIVALENTS

a=e | | ȃ=ȇ
they | | eight | | care | | heir
obey | | weight | | bare | | their
prey | | freight | | fare | | there
weigh | | neigh | | hair | | where
sleigh | | veins | | fair | | stair
reign | | whey | | chair | | pear
skein | | rein | | | | pair

a=ŏ | | a=ȏ | | au=aw=ou
what | | not | | call | | nor | | haul | | ought
was | | odd | | raw | | for | | fault | | bought
watch | | cot | | want | | corn | | cause | | sought
wasp | | got | | walk | | cord | | pause | | caw
wash | | hop | | salt | | short | | caught | | saw
drop | | dog | | hall | | storm | | naught | | paw
spot | | fog | | draw | | horse | | naughty | | draw
| | | | talk | | morn | | thought | | thaw

ou=ow | | ew̅=ū
our | | how | | dew | | due
out | | now | | few | | hue
hour | | cow | | mew | | blue
flour | | bow | | new | | June
trout | | plow | | Jew | | tune
shout | | owl | | pew | | plume
mouth | | growl | | hue | | pure
sound | | brown | | glue | | flute
mouse | | crowd
ground | | flower
house | | drown

ew=oo̅=o=ṳ | | o=oo=ṳ
grew | | do | | poor | | rude | | wolf | | wool
chew | | you | | soon | | rule | | could | | foot
crew | | to | | noon | | tool | | would | | good
brew | | shoe | | whom | | school | | should | | hood
drew | | prove | | food | | spool | | woman | | wood
threw | | broad | | whose | | roof | | shook | | stood
screw | | moon | | tomb | | broom | | crook | | pull
strew | | goose | | stoop | | roost | | hook | | bush
shrewd | | | | | | | | took | | full
| | | | | | | | brook | | put
| | | | | | | | book | | puss
| | | | | | | | look

o=ŭ | | oy=oi
come | | fun | | boy | | oil
none | | gun | | joy | | soil
son | | run | | Roy | | voice
dove | | sup | | toy | | spoil
love | | cup | | troy | | joint
some | | sun | | join | | point
ton | | hum | | coin | | choice
won | | drum | | noise | | noise
does | | plum | | toil | | moist
touch | | nut
glove | | shut
month | | much
none | | must

FOURTH YEAR

I. Review and continue to apply the principles of pronunciation, with a more complete mastery of the vowel and consonant sounds as found in Webster's dictionary.

II. Teach the diacritical marks found in the dictionary to be used. The marks needed will be found at the foot of each page of the dictionary.

III. Teach the use of the dictionary.

(1) See that every child owns, if possible, one of the new dictionaries, in which unphonetic words are respelled phonetically.

(2) See that all know the alphabet in order.

(3) Pupils practice finding names in the telephone directory, catalogs, reference books, etc.

(4) Practice arranging lists of words in alphabetical order, as in the following dictation exercise.

Rewrite these words in the order in which they would occur in the dictionary.

chance | | value
alarm | | hurdle
green | | evergreen
window | | feather
indeed | | leave
sapwood | | monkey
bruise | | kernel
double | | jelly

Also lists like these:—a step more difficult.

arbor | | angry
alarm | | after
artist | | age
afford | | apron
apple | | appear
athletic | | approve
assist | | answer
always | | anchor

After teaching the alphabetical order, with dictionary in hand, have the pupil trace the word to its letter, then to its page.

Having found his way to the word, he must now learn to read what the dictionary has to tell him about it. His attention is called to syllabification as well as to diacritical marks. (Those found at the foot of the page will furnish the key to pronunciation.)

He finds that his dictionary is a means of learning not only the pronunciation of words, but their meaning and spelling. Later, as soon as the parts of speech are known, he should learn the various uses of words—their grammatical uses, derivation, etc., and come to regard the dictionary as one of his commonest tools, as necessary as other books of reference.

But here the teacher's task is not done. Provided with the key to the mastery of symbols, her pupils may still fail to use this key to unlock the vast literary treasures in store for them. They must be taught what to read, as well as how to read. They must be introduced to the school library and if possible to the public library. Dr. Elliot has said: "The uplifting of the democratic masses depends upon the implanting at school of the taste for good reading."

Moreover that teacher does her pupils the most important and lasting service who develops in them not only an appreciation of good literature, but the habit of reading it.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO TEACH PHONICS ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 41 Watchung Plaza #516, Montclair NJ 07042, USA, +1 (862) 621-9288. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

Table of Contents

- How to Teach Phonics

- LIDA M. WILLIAMS

- FOREWORD
- LEARNING TO READ
- FIRST YEAR
- SECOND YEAR
- THIRD YEAR
- FOURTH YEAR

- THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE