A Fresh Look at Phonics, Grades K-2: Common Causes of Failure and 7 Ingredients for Success(Corwin Literacy)

Using the authors' expertise from 25 years in the field, as well as current research and evaluation of phonics programs in schools, A Fresh Look at Phonics provides the ingredients needed for success, and underlines the common reasons for failure. It is full of tips, tech recommendations, teacher training ideas and a wealth of how-tos. Divided into two sections: success and common causes of failures, it allows users to easily dip in and out when necessary. Each ingredient of success offers: background, sample instruction; lists of best practices; common instructional pitfalls; and a section that prompts educators to look at and reflect on specific aspects of their teaching.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: The Key Ingredients for Phonics Success Success Ingredient 1: Readiness Skills Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 2: Scope and Sequence Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 3: Blending Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 4: Dictation Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 5: Word Awareness Activities (Word Building and Word Sorts) Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 6: High-Frequency Words Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Success Ingredient 7: Reading Connected Text Background and Key Characteristics Best Practices and Look-Fors for Success Common Instructional Pitfalls Day Clinic: Examine Your Practices Next Steps to Leap Forward Plus One More Essential Success Ingredient: You! Section 2: 10 Common Causes of Phonics Instruction Failure Introduction Reason 1: Inadequate or Nonexistent Review and Repetition The Problem How to Fix It Reason 2: Lack of Application to Real Reading and Writing Experiences The Problem How to Fix It Reason 3: Inappropriate Reading Materials to Practice Skills The Problem How to Fix It Reason 4: Ineffective Use of the Gradual Release Model The Problem How to Fix It Reason 5: Too Much Time Lost During Transitions The Problem How to Fix It Reason 6: Limited Teacher Knowledge of Research-Based Phonics Routines and Linguistics The Problem How to Fix It Reason 7: Inappropriate Pacing of Lessons The Problem How to Fix It Reason 8: No Comprehensive or Cumulative Mastery Assessment Tools The Problem How to Fix It Reason 9: Transitioning to Multisyllabic Words Too Late The Problem How to Fix It Reason 10: Overdoing It (Especially Isolated Skill Work) The Problem How to Fix It Closing Thoughts References

About the Author :
Wiley Blevins, Ed.D., studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Bowling Green State University. He is an author, educational consultant, and researcher, and has taught both in the United States and South America. Wiley has written over 17 books for teachers, including A Fresh Look at Phonics, Phonics From A to Z, Differentiating Phonics Instruction for Maximum Impact, and Choosing and Using Decodable Texts. He has authored several phonics and reading programs and wrote the phonics brief by the International Literacy Association (Meeting the Challenges of Early Literacy Phonics Instruction). Wiley′s current focus is on adaptive technology, differentiated professional development, and children′s literature. Wiley has written over 100 children′s books and is SVP and Associate Publisher at Reycraft Books, a new imprint focused on publishing books by authors and illustrators from under-represented groups.

Review :
"When Wiley Blevins wrote his first book on teaching phonics 20 years ago I thought that it was one of the most practical approaches to teaching this foundational reading competency.  It may seem like a cliché, but Wiley has outdone himself with this book!.  In A Fresh Look at Phonics he provides teachers and others interested in effective phonics instruction with a comprehensive and practical guide to making phonics instruction work for all students, all year. Just as the title promises, Wiley provides us with a truly fresh way of thinking about how phonics plays out in classrooms." "Wiley combines the latest research and his own years of trusted know-how to provide educators with a timely trove of high impact tools they can readily use to deliver world-class phonics instruction. A Fresh Look at Phonics is sure to be another must-have, well-worn classic." "I devoured this book!  Who would have thought that a book on phonics would be a page-turner? It’s quick, practical, and teacher friendly and yet comprehensive enough to be a refresher course for experienced teachers and the needed foundation for teachers new to teaching beginning readers.  I can’t wait to share this with teachers with whom I work in professional development—they are going to love the clear links to reading, writing, and spelling. My favorite feature? The broad scope and sequence that pairs with guided reading instruction and provides links back to phonics lessons." "Wiley Blevins’ fresh take on phonics is a must-read for anyone looking to improve phonics instruction. He boils phonics down into critical ingredients and supports teachers in the ever-important process of reflection. The book gives professional learning communities the tools needed to turn common instructional failures into effective, timeless practices."