Course Outline

The course consists of five Modules, each with one assignment:

MODULE 1: SYNTHETIC PHONICS

The Rose Report on Synthetic Phonics
What are Phonics? Nonsense Words or Non-words. Phonetics. Synthetic Phonics. Synthetic Phonics Compared to Analytic Phonics. History of Synthetic Phonics. Research into Synthetic Phonics. The Clackmannan Program. Criticisms of Synthetic Phonics. Developing Phonemic Awareness. The Concept of a Word in a Sentence. The Concept of a Letter Sound. The Whole Word Method. Using a combination of Reading Strategies. Hearing a child read: The initial letter sound. Parents at Home and the ‘Golden Rule’. Synthetic Phonics and Spelling. Books at an Appropriate Level of Difficulty.

Synthetic Phonics and Children with a Learning Difficulty
Phonemic Awareness. Compensating for a Weak Visual Memory.

MODULE 2: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF TEACHING SYNTHETIC PHONICS 

Progressive Activities for Practice and Reinforcement
Write in Lower-case Letters. Focus on Individual Success. The Sequence of Phonics Worksheets. Use sounds, not letter names. Font Faces. Avoid Competitive Games. Techniques to Encourage feelings of success.

Using an Alphabet Chart

Introducing sounds by playing ‘I-Spy’

Single Sound Activities
Single Sound Matching cards. Choose the First Sound. Choose the Last Sound. Choose the Middle Sound

Phonics Worksheets
Criteria for Phonics Worksheets. How to use Phonics Worksheets. How to Make Your Own Picture/Word Matching Cards and Phonics Worksheets. Using your computer. Using paper and glue.

MODULE 3: MULTISENSORY TEACHING METHODS FOR SYNTHETIC PHONICS 

Four Multisensory Reminders:
Reminder One - A Visual Memory Using an Alphabet Chart. Reminder Two - An Auditory Memory of Each Sound. Reminder Three - A Kinesthetic Memory of the Letter Sound Action. Reminder Four - A Tactile Memory of the Letter Shape.

Games and Activities Using a Multisensory Approach
Pairs. Matching Words and Pictures. Clues. Reading a Sentence and Drawing a Picture of it. A ‘Feeling’ Table. Make Letters from Plasticine or Clay. Sounds and their Pictures. Food Sounds in Plasticine. Make Tactile Letter Sounds. Sky Writing. Tracing Letters in a Sand Tray. Letter Search. Which Letter? Sticky Letters. Brainstorming. Tongue Twisters. Animal Sounds. Make an ‘a’ for apple book. Sort b/d Words. ‘Feely’ bag. Stitching Letter Sounds. Animals Card Set. Bingo.

MODULE 4: STRUCTURE OF A SYNTHETIC PHONICS PROGRAM 

Criteria for the structure of a Synthetic Phonics Program
Rationale for a Program. The Need for a Progressive Structure. Introduce Letter Sounds Which Can Make Many Words. Avoid Unfamiliar or Archaic Words. Avoid Inappropriate Words. The Magic ‘e’ Rule is Given its own Level. Consolidation Work Provides Successful Outcomes. Hearing Loss or Poor Auditory Processing.

The Overall Synthetic Phonics Structure
Levels of Difficulty. Teaching Words with Single. Unchanging Sounds. Blending the Sounds. Splitting Words into their Sounds.

Learning to Blend Short Words
Learning to Blend Sounds - Two Sounds. Learning to Blend Sounds - Three Sounds. Learning to Blend Sounds - Particular Difficulties. Rhymes.

MODULE 5: COMPARING SYNTHETIC PHONICS PROGRAMS 

Using the Listing on the Course Website

Learning to be Objective

The Rationale for a Phonics Program
Programs Which Take a Fresh Approach. Programs Based on New Research Findings. New Technology. An attractive, Fun Approach to Learning. Programs with No Rationale. Evaluating Published Worksheets.How to Analyze a Phonics Program.


Appendix ‘A’ – Transcription of the audio tape
Appendix ‘B’ – Phonics Assessment Test
Appendix ‘C’ – Clackmannan program
Appendix ‘D’ – Books for Teachers
Appendix ‘E’ – Phonics Sounds and Actions
Appendix ‘F’ – Assignments for the Regular or Standard Route