Ways to teach embedded phonics in teaching phonology in context and through the whole language approach
1. Use word sorts: Have students sort words based on their phonetic patterns (e.g. long vowels, blends, digraphs) to help them recognize and understand the relationships between phonemes and graphemes.
2. Use word walls: Create a word wall with words grouped by their phonetic patterns. Encourage students to interact with the word wall by adding new words they've learned and incorporating them into their writing and reading.
3. Use shared reading: Select texts that contain repeated instances of specific phonetic patterns and read them aloud as a class. Encourage students to identify and highlight these patterns in the text.
4. Use mini-lessons: Dedicate short lessons to specific phonetic patterns or rules, such as silent e or vowel digraphs. Provide examples and guided practice to help students understand and apply these patterns in their reading and writing.
5. Encourage decoding strategies: Teach students strategies for decoding unfamiliar words by breaking them down into phonetic segments and blending them together. Encourage them to use context clues and word patterns to help them figure out unfamiliar words.
6. Use word building activities: Provide students with letter cards or manipulatives to build words based on specific phonetic patterns. Have them practice blending the sounds together to read the words they've built.
7. Incorporate phonics into writing activities: Encourage students to apply their knowledge of phonics by incorporating words with specific phonetic patterns into their writing. Have them practice spelling words correctly and using them in context.
8. Provide opportunities for independent practice: Set up literacy centers or stations where students can practice phonics skills through hands-on activities, games, and worksheets. Encourage them to work independently or in small groups to reinforce their understanding of phonetic patterns.