Alphabetic Principle - Role of The Alphabetic Principle in Beginning Reading

Role of The Alphabetic Principle in Beginning Reading

See also: Phonics and Whole Language

Decades of research has resulted in converging evidence that learning the connection between the sounds of speech and print is a critical prerequisite to effective word identification. Understanding that there is a direct relationship between letters and sounds enables a reader to retrieve the pronunciation of an unknown word and associate it with a spoken word. Printed words in a child's vocabulary can be identified by sounding them out. Understanding the relationship of letters and sounds is also the foundation of learning to spell.

Two contrasting beliefs for teaching this aspect of beginning reading exist. Proponents of phonics argue that this relationship needs to be taught explicitly and learned to automaticity facilitate rapid word recognition upon which comprehension depends. Proponents of whole language approaches argue that reading should be taught holistically, and that children naturally intuit the relationship between letters and sounds. Focus on individual letters and sounds should be taught to be used only as a last resort, and that any phonics instruction given should be embedded within a holistic approach, that is to say, through mini-lessons in the context of authentic reading and writing tasks.

Read more about this topic:  Alphabetic Principle

Famous quotes containing the words role of the, role of, role, principle, beginning and/or reading:

    “But however the forms of family life have changed and the number expanded, the role of the family has remained constant and it continues to be the major institution through which children pass en route to adulthood.”
    —Bernice Weissbourd (20th century)

    “The Declaration [of Independence] was not a protest against government, but against the excess of government. It prescribed the proper role of government, to secure the rights of individuals and to effect their safety and happiness. In modern society, no individual can do this alone. So government is not a necessary evil but a necessary good.”
    —Gerald R. Ford (b. 1913)

    “Today, only a fool would offer herself as the singular role model for the Good Mother. Most of us know not to tempt the fates. The moment I felt sure I had everything under control would invariably be the moment right before the principal called to report that one of my sons had just driven somebody’s motorcycle through the high school gymnasium.”
    —Mary Kay Blakely (20th century)

    “The monk in hiding himself from the world becomes not less than himself, not less of a person, but more of a person, more truly and perfectly himself: for his personality and individuality are perfected in their true order, the spiritual, interior order, of union with God, the principle of all perfection.”
    —Thomas Merton (1915–1968)

    “Polyphiloprogenitive
    The sapient sutlers of the Lord
    Drift across the window-panes
    In the beginning was the Word.”
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

    “The first reading of a Will, where a person dies worth anything considerable, generally affords a true test of the relations’ love to the deceased.”
    —Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)