Phonics Phacts

Phonics is an important topic in both the study and teaching of written language, but the role of phonics in reading, in learning to read and in reading instruction, is probably the most widely misunderstood and misrepresented aspect of language education today. In Phonics Phacts, Ken Goodman helps teachers and parents understand phonics better so that they can feel more comfortable in evaluating conflicting views about it. The book examines three major topics: The science of phonics - Goodman argues that phonics is a system of relationships between the patterns and systems of oral and written language, not between individual letters and sounds. Avoiding jargon and technical language, Goodman explains how phonics works in reading and writing and how readers use phonological, orthographic, and phonics information along with morphological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic information. The merits of teaching about phonics - Often teachers "do" phonics with a great deal of misinformation. The more central the role assigned to instruction about phonics in reading instruction, the more important it is that the information of what phonics is be accurate. Goodman discusses how the views of learning of Piaget, Vygotsky, Halliday, and others contribute to what is known about phonics. The politics of phonics - For many people, phonics is a political buzzword, a cause, making it difficult for the education profession and the public to learn much about real phonics. Goodman discusses how phonics is often used to frighten and politicize rural and working-class parents, as well as bully teachers engaged in whole language teaching. Phonics Phacts is a personal book, based solidly on many years of research. It is an invaluable text for understanding the important role phonics plays in whole language instruction.

About the Author :
Kenneth S. Goodman is Professor Emeritus, Language, Reading, and Culture, College of Education, University of Arizona, where he has spent a long professional life observing the reading process in active use. From his earliest miscue research published in 1965 to the most recent presentation of his understanding of the reading process in 1997, he has continued to fuel thought-provoking discussions of the nature of reading. His research has earned him major awards from NCTE, IRA, NRC, and NCRLL. An elected member of the Reading Hall of Fame, Goodman is a past president of IRA, NCRLL, and the Center for Expansion of Language and Thinking.

Review :
"The text provides information to help both teachers and parents understand the topic of phonics so they may better evaluate the conflicting views on this issue which affect today's classrooms."-Kansas Journal of Reading