Giving Compass' Take:

· Kyle Redford, a 5th grade teacher from the Bay Area, suggests that an approach that decodes words with phonics can benefit every student learning how to read.

· How are educators teaching students phonics and how to read? How can donors and philanthropists support the incorporation of a phonics focus into common curriculum? How does teaching phonics help students learn to read? 

· Here's more on the importance of early childhood literacy and teaching phonics. 

Children who aren’t reading at grade level by the end of the 3rd grade have an uphill battle catching up with their peers. A staggering 74% of struggling readers at that point won’t be able to get up to speed with their fellow students — a significant concern, as 3rd-grade reading proficiency is considered “one of the most important predictors of graduating from high school,” according to nonprofit Reading Foundation.

Effective literacy instruction, then, is crucial for all students, with administrators and educators needing to find the best practices that make sense for their school, students and district. It’s crucial to note that there isn’t just one method, nor just one set of resources that should be followed. Literacy, however, is something that can be addressed and woven into every subject and every course.

With English language learners, educators can use poetry and have students work in groups, helping them discover patterns in sounds, words and letters. Spoken word projects are also a powerful way to weave literacy into classroom learning and can even help students develop social emotional learning (SEL) skills like confidence. Teachers can certainly get involved in the process, writing their own pieces to help kickstart reluctant students.

Read the full article about a phonics focus by Lauren Barack at Education Dive.