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.

Reviews

"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."
*TIMOTHY RASINKSI*

"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."
*JANIEL WAGSTAFF*

"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."
*JUDY LYNCH*

"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."
*CAROLYN BANUELOS, DANIELLE JAMES, AND ELISE LUND*