Skill Overview
What is Advanced Phonics?
Advanced Phonics includes the following skills:
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Schwa
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Vowel-r
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Long Vowel Spelling Patterns-- 1) Vowel-Consonant-e
2) Open syllables
3) Vowel teams
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Diphthongs
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Hard and Soft c and g
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Consonant-le
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Silent Consonant Letters
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Dropping e to add Vowel Suffix
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Derivational Affixes
These skills are typically introduced at the end of the 1st grade.
What tasks should students be able to demonstrate to indicate mastery of this skill?
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Accurately decode words in isolation and within context
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Accurately encode words
Why is understanding advanced phonics important to reading?
Advanced phonics instruction teaches students how to decode by using word analysis of advanced phonics patterns, basic syllable types (except for CVC), and the morphological features of words. These skills are necessary to read most texts.
What diagnostic can be used to determine if there are deficits in advanced phonics skills?
Structured Literacy Tools
Sequential and Cumulative
Systematic and Explicit
To Mastery
Phonics should be taught sequentially. Below is an overview of essential skills included in advanced phonics instruction and a comprehensive scope and sequence provided by Neuhaus. Many phonics programs have a scope and sequence, but it is important to ensure that the sequence is logical and research based.
A systematic and explicit phonics lesson should follow predetermined, well planned steps. By using consistent instructional routines, students can focus on learning the new content. Provided below are descriptions and procedures for each recommended step in a phonics lesson. Also, provided is a vowel chart that can be used to signal long vowel sounds, sample lesson plans, a template to assist teachers in creating a phonics lesson plan, and a glossary of phonics related terms.
Gaps in phonics knowledge are formed when students move through the skills without mastering them regularly. Assessing students on the specific skill most recently taught is a good way to ensure students do not form gaps in their learning. If mastery has not occurred, reteach and remediate before moving on. Provided is a sample assessment on a specific skill and a template for assessing mastery of phonics skills. These assessments are quick and relatively easy to administer.
