The Power of Explicit Phonics Instruction
We often hear researchers talk about the importance of explicit phonics instruction. But what does that really mean? “Explicit” refers to anything that is fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated; leaving nothing merely implied.
In Reading Horizons latest webinar, Teacher Trainer and Dyslexia Specialist, Shantell Berrett, discussed why explicit instruction is key for struggling students, beneficial for every student, and why it should be applied to all teaching to increase the effectiveness of student learning.
Here are some of the main ideas from her presentation:
1. Be Clear
- Only give one instruction at a time
- Use visual examples
- Enforce a feedback loop asking students if they understood instructions or material
2. Be Concise
- Teach only necessary information to avoid confusing your students
- Instruct no more than 5 minutes without student involvement to keep students engaged and focused
- Don’t teach things that are similar yet different within a close proximity of time
3. Be Connected
- Assume nothing - don’t expect students to know things that are obvious to us
- Draw explicit lines by pointing out connections to prior knowledge
- Connect new information to prior knowledge
Fun Fact!:
For students to remember 90% of what they are taught they need to either use or teach that information immediately after instruction.
To view the recording click here! ›
Learn how Reading Horizons embeds explicit phonics instruction in both of its reading curriculum programs, the Reading Horizons Discovery elementary reading curriculum and the Reading Horizons Elevate reading intervention program.