When does Phonics stop and LA begin???

[annaz]

With all the different programs out there, when does Phonics stop and LA begin? My dd is an emerging reader, but is phonics finished after all the digraphs and blends like CH, BL, OW/AU/R-controlled letters and 3-letter blends are taught, and are the silent letters like "l" in walk and ough and igh considered phonics or is that something learned by just reading or in Language Arts? Because "phonics" could go on for years. When are you really done with phonics and can use reading as learning? Make sense?

It just seems like all the programs are different. Like Spectrum Phonics will go till 4th grade , other programs like MFW 1st grade learns phonics in a year (whoa), ETC has a gazillion books. Where does it end or doesn't it?

HOD will say when your child is "done" with phonics and is an emerging reader........ Well, what is "done" really mean? Do you all just do a workbook of "phonics" AND read or do just read then move on to DITHOR. I don't get it. Is it just different whoever you talk to?

[Melanie]

Actually phonics just kinda morphs into spelling. Most kiddos learn to read a LOT of words without actually knowing the "rule" behind it.....that happens in spelling.

Does that help at all? I can remember having spelling all the way through 8th grade.

[water2wine]

I feel like this is my chant in life! When does phonics end!

I would agree with Melanie. It does just turn into spelling. I believe it also has to do when they can read fluently and not so choppy that they are constantly sounding each word out.

[Carrie]

annaz,

Good question! The ladies did a wonderful job of answering you, and they are exactly right! Phonics instruction formally ends when kiddos have had a complete phonics program that usually takes them through a beginning to mid-second grade reading level.

Once kiddos can read at that level, any phonics beyond that is for spelling purposes. Now, some kiddos can read at a second grade level without having any phonics instruction (because they can read by storing words by sight). So, I'm not saying that just because a child can read at a second grade level that phonics is done.

Without formal phonics instruction, even kiddos who read early and on their own, will often break down when we get to chapter books (often around grade 3 because they've never learned to decode words). So, I just wanted to clarify the importance of a phonics program.

At HOD, we do spelling in conjunction with the end of phonics instruction and then move into studied dication for spelling practice. This is the method we will use throughout grade 8.

Blessings,
Carrie