Take a phonics-based approach for early literacy learning
Phonetic-based reading breaks written language down into small and simple components. Children connect letter sounds and letter symbols. Synthetic phonics instruction focuses on teaching the individual sounds in a structured and systematic way.
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Identify what students can do
Identify what students can do
Tom Nicholson explains how using the alien words test (Appendix A.9a: Decoding and A.9b pp 50–53) enables you to identify exactly which sounds a learner can decode and provides a place to begin teaching from.
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Develop phonological awareness
Develop phonological awareness
Plan to develop phonological awareness at the point the student can detect similarities in sounds between or within words. This may be at the level of the whole word, syllable, rhyme, onset and rime, or individual phonemes.
Read About Dyslexia – Supporting literacy in the classroom (pages 49-65).
![7525 [About-dyslexia.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/About-dyslexia__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Plan a structured programme
Plan a structured programme
Provide a structured sequence of phonic patterns that is cumulative.
Sounds and Words, an online resource developed by the Ministry of Education, provides support in four areas:
Use Ready to Read Phonics Plus
Use Ready to Read Phonics Plus
The Ready to Read Phonics Plus books focus on word recognition knowledge and skills that explicitly support children to crack the code.
Ready to read uses a Scope and Sequence framework.
Take a multi-sensory approach
Take a multi-sensory approach
Provide lots of practice by having students hear and say the sounds – not the letter names – while they see or make them.
For practical examples, see this article on the Understood website:
![11799 [IMG-5785.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/IMG-5785__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.jpg)
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Useful resources
Useful resources
Sound Sense: Supporting reading and writing in years 1-3
Read time: 35 min
Sound Sense provides suggestions for how you can support students, particularly year 1 students, in developing and applying understandings about sounds, letters, and words when reading and writing.
Publisher: English Online
Download PDF
Writing for impact: Teaching students how to write with a plan and spell well
Based on a simple view of writing, these books provide simple, effective strategies to improve teaching and learning. The books include templates, plans, and links to videos that support these strategies.
Publisher: NZCER Press
Price: One off charge $90.00
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Support early literacy development through a structured literacy approach”:
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Current page Take a phonics-based approach
Return to the guide “Dyslexia and learning”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Dyslexia and learning
Understand:
- Understanding dyslexia
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Understanding dyslexia and literacy acquisitionShow suggestions for Understanding dyslexia and literacy acquisition
Strategies for action:
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Develop a schoolwide approachShow suggestions for Develop a schoolwide approach
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Identify student needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify student needs and how to provide support
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Support early literacy development through a structured literacy approachShow suggestions for Support early literacy development through a structured literacy approach
- Early identification
- Use classroom assessments
- Take a phonics-based approach
- Build reading skills
- Teach spelling skills
- Support writing skills
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Helpful classroom strategies in years 1–8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies in years 1–8
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Helpful classroom strategies in years 9–13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies in years 9–13
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Supporting literacy and numeracy in NCEAShow suggestions for Supporting literacy and numeracy in NCEA
