When Language Arts Meets Phonics

Phonics in Action at Junior Secondary Level

HOME INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PART I PART II PART III USEFUL GROUPS OF LETTER SOUNDS AUDIO CLIPS THE ENTIRE HANDBOOK

INTRODUCTION

AIMS OF THE RESOURCE PACKAGE

When Language Arts Meets Phonics - Phonics in Action at Junior Secondary Level is a resource package intended to be a reference for junior secondary English teachers on what phonics is and how language arts can be meaningfully and productively used as a context to facilitate and enhance the learning and teaching of phonics.

CONTENT OF THE RESOURCE PACKAGE

The resource package consists of the following:

− a Handbook for English Teachers;
− a Useful Groups of Letter Sounds card; and
− a CD-ROM.

Handbook for English Teachers

The Handbook for English Teachers is organised into three parts:

− In Part I, an overview of what phonics constitutes is first presented. This is then followed by a brief discussion of:

• the aims of the learning and teaching of phonics;
• the differences between phonics and phonetics;
• the limitations of phonics;
• the considerations for setting suitable focuses for the learning and teaching of phonics at junior secondary level; and
• the major useful groups of letter sounds for junior secondary level.

Throughout Part I, guiding activities are also included to help teachers appreciate better what phonics does or does not involve.

− In Part II, reasons will first be put forward as to why language arts materials can be used to facilitate the learning and teaching of phonics. Suggestions are then provided with regard to the use of language arts materials to address various phonics focuses. These suggestions are accompanied with authentic language arts materials and activity sheets for teachers’ use and adaptation.

− In Part III, the glossary provides an alphabetical list of phonics-related terms for teachers’ reference. 

Useful Groups of Letter Sounds Card

− The Useful Groups of Letter Sounds card provides a quick reference for groups of letter sounds that are relevant to the needs of junior secondary students.

CD-ROM

The CD-ROM consists of the following:

− The electronic version of the Handbook for English Teachers
The materials are identical to those presented in the Handbook for English Teachers. They are available in the MS WORD format and the PDF format for ease of use and adaptation.

− PowerPoint files
Three PowerPoint files are provided for use in the activities presented in the Handbook for English Teachers.

− The electronic version of the Useful Groups of Letter Sounds card
It contains the same useful groups of letter sounds and examples as found in the print version of the card.  It is available in the MS WORD format and the PDF format for ease of use and adaptation.

− Audio clips
The audio clips include recordings of some of the language arts materials used in the Handbook for English Teachers, and a recording of the letter sounds with examples of words which carry the sounds as listed in the Useful Groups of Letter Sounds card.

There is also an online version of the CD-ROM, which can be accessed at http://www.edb.gov.hk/phonics_in_action_ js.