Teach a child to read with phonics.
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Help a Reader Sound Out Words Using Phonics Rules
Others struggle with reading and need extra teaching.
One skill a child needs to be a successful reader is the ability to sound out words using phonics rules and letter combinations.
If a child looks in the air while reading instead of glancing at pictures and focusing on letters in words, you can assume a child is not using phonics to read.
The best way for a child to learn to use phonics is to practice using phonics while reading books.
I recommend having a child read books that aren't frustrating at least 10 minutes per day.
You will find free online sites to teach phonics, videos of me using magnetic letters to teach phonics, and links to books for beginning readers on this page.
One of the most important things you can do for a beginning reader is provide the right books. Reading phonics books alone is not enough. That's why I recommend combining whole language or authentic text early reader books and phonics books.
Looking for Help Teaching a Child to Read?
You've Come to the Right Place!
Children need to learn the rules to reading. The rules to reading are phonics. Without phonics children are guessing and ignoring letters. Children without the ability to sound out words will do fine with beginning reader books but fall behind as books increase in difficulty. There are a number of good phonics books available today. The internet has many resources to help parents teach a child to read.This page focuses on phonics, but there is more to reading. I'll do my best to help you through the other areas of teaching reading on my blog and here at Squidoo.
Try Teaching With Magnetic Letters!
Check out my videos teaching with magnetic letters.
Teach Phonics with Magnetic Letters
Magnetic letters make teaching and practicing phonics easy.
Foam Magnetic Letter Set
These are the best magnetic letters I've found!
I own this set of letters and used them in my youtube videos.
This set of magnetic letters includes four of each letter color coded with blue and red. The same company makes multi-colored magnetic letters Find other magnetic letter work products I recommend here.
Magnetic Learning Letters - Lowercase
Amazon Price: $14.06 (as of 02/22/2012)![]()
These hard foam letters are durable with a solid powerful magnetic strip that doesn't peel off or slip.
Find Phonics Books
Browse through my recommended phonics books.
What Are Good Phonics Books?
Recommended Phonics Books
Now I'm Reading Phonics Series by Nora Gaydos
My Favorite Phonics Books!
These sets come with ten stories. Each story is in a separate book stored in a plastic sleeve in a magnetic hard cover. The books can be taken out and replaced. I encourage having a child read one or two books in a set per day and then starting over until the books in a set have been read at least three times. That's thirty days of reading. Rereading books increases fluency and reading with expression. These books get more fun each time they are read.
Look for links to videos I've created for some of these books. You'll find the links in the description next to the set if a video is available.
Teach and Practice Phonics with Dr. Suess
Dr. Suess books are some of the best books to read aloud to a child.
As a child learns about reading, he or she can share read some of these stories. Allow a child to jump in and read known words or attempt a rhyming word from memory and beginning sound. As a child learns more about phonics and rules, you can teach rules and show letter / sound relationships in words from these stories. Hop on Pop is my favorite book to teach a child about beginning phonics rules.
Here are a few posts from my Beginning Reading Help blog showing how to teach with Hop on Pop by Dr. Suess.
Starfall Short Vowel Phonics Books
You have to visit Starfall's Free Website to Teach a Child Phonics!
Teach Phonics with Finger Paint
Fun Stuff!
Free Resources to Teach Phonics
Do you like inexpensive ways to teach? You will love these free online resources to teach phonics with books, games, videos, and printables.
- Target the Problem! from Reading Rockets
- This is an interactive site that gives you ideas to help a child struggling with reading.
- Progressive Phonics
- This is a free online phonics program.
- Starfall
- This is a free online learn to read site.
- Literactive
- This is a free teach a child to read site with stories and activies. It is worth the time for free registration.
- Mr. Thorne Does Phonics
- You'll find free videos and blending demonstrations for letter to sound relationships.
Take This Poll
Your response will direct other people to the most useful site to teach phonics.
I'd really appreciate your input!
Try out some of these sites and come back when you are ready to share your opinion.
What Are Good Early Reader Books?
The best books for children just learning to read have pictures that give clues to hard words.
Many good easy to read books have rhymes and repeated language.
Click here to browse through a book from Brand New Reader's Red Set. The Chase is one of the ten seperate books you will find in red set of Brand New Readers.
Recommended Early Reader Books
Early Reader Books with Authentic Text
Also known as whole language books. These are some of the best beginning reader books you will find for your child.
My Other Lenses related to Teaching Children
Give Me Your Thoughts!
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YayasHome
Nov 19, 2011 @ 2:41 am | delete
- I voted in your poll for which site I felt would be most helpful to a child learning to read, but honestly I think they all look great. Reading is such an important part 'uh life. I truly do appreciate your efforts in helping children learn to read.
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MisterJeremy
Apr 8, 2011 @ 8:43 am | delete
- Great lens about teaching reading. I like the BOB books for emergent readers.
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daria369
Mar 24, 2011 @ 9:28 am | delete
- NIicely done & great resource. ***Angel blessed*** & featured on "My Life with Angel Wings" lens ... :)
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hoter
Mar 9, 2011 @ 11:10 pm | delete
- Nice lens.Thanks for sharing. strategic planning software
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Mujjen
Mar 4, 2011 @ 2:04 am | delete
- We have cards with the letters, but those magnets would probably be more fun!
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The internet makes it possible for people to connect and share information.
I have found some great places to share and learn ways to teach reading.
Recently I created a community on Facebook called We Teach Children to Read.
Are there any places you have found to share and learn ways to teach reading? Share them in a comment. Let everyone know if you've joined the We Teach Children to Read community page. I hope to see you there!
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MintySea
Oct 29, 2011 @ 4:18 pm | delete
- I get phonic sets the latest I bought was the froggy ones I haven't read the bob books
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Stephanie_BooksandReading
Sep 15, 2011 @ 8:55 am | delete
- Thanks for another great lens, and I do love your blog too. At www.childrens-books-and-reading.com you can find practical tips and techniques to help your child become a successful reader as well as fun reading related activities, such as games and crafts, which you can do with your child to reinforce their literacy skills.
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SereneSea
Mar 16, 2011 @ 1:08 am | delete
- Very interesting fact on phonics, also a child's ability to learn also depends upon things that interests and distracts him. I have encountered kids who are slow in the beginning but ramp up very fast later on.
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sheilamarie Feb 22, 2011 @ 12:22 am | delete
- Great lens! Reading is a great joy to share with a child!
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Evelyn_Saenz Feb 17, 2011 @ 4:21 am | delete
- Another wonderful resource for learning phonics is the Explode the Code series.
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Beginning Reading Help
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25 Most Popular Phonics Books
Dear Reader,
Yay! You've found this plexo. Someone may have shared this. You can share this too by using the Grab this button. Use the arrows to vote up or down a book or set of books. You can add your own submissions too. Help create this list to direct others to the best phonics books available.
Sincerely,
Michelle Breum (creator and author of Reading Starts at Home)
Hooked on Phonics
3 Hooked on Phonics® DVDs in one set! Hooked on Phonics® more...2 points
Now I'm Reading! Playful Pals, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos
Readers who loved the best-selling Animal Antics w more...0 points
Animal Antics: Now I'm Reading! (Level 1) by Nora Gaydos, BB Sams
Ten exciting stories for young ones to read all on more...0 points
Nir! Clever Critters: Level 1: Advanced (Now I'm Reading!) by Nora Gaydos
Once children begin to read, they also need practice more...0 points
Now I'm Reading!: Amazing Animals - Level 2 by Nora Gaydos
Take the Now I'm Reading!%u2122 series to the next more...0 points
Now I'm Reading: On the Go!-Level 3 New Sounds and Blends by Nora Gaydos
This book follows hot on the heels of the first tw more...0 points
Now I'm Reading: Let's Play!-Level 4 More Word Skills by Nora Gaydos
This book follows hot on the heels of the first tw more...0 points
Starfall Learn to Read Phonics Book Set: Zac the Rat and Other Tales! by The Starfall Team
This deluxe boxed set of 15 books contains sturdy more...0 points
Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Bob Books Set 1: Beginning ReadersTeach a child le more...0 points
Bob Books Set 2-Advancing Beginners by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Bob Books Set 2: Advancing BeginnersBob Books Set more...0 points
Bob Books Set 3- Word Families by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Bob Books Set 3: Word FamiliesIn Bob Books Set 3, more...0 points
Sight Words - Kindergarten [Paperback] (Bob Books) by Lynn Maslen Kertell
Sight words are common words that appear again and more...0 points
Bob Books Set 4 - Complex Words by Bobby Lynn Maslen
In Bob Books Set 4, kids read eight humorous stori more...0 points
Bob Books Set 5- Long Vowels by Bobby Lynn Maslen
Bob Books Set 5: Long Vowels Bob Books Set 5 intro more...0 points
LeapFrog Tag Learn to Read Phonics Book Series Short Vowels
Use your TagTM Reader to make phonics skills sprin more...0 points
LeapFrog Tag Learn to Read Phonics Book Series Long Vowels, Silent E and Y
Use your Tag Reader to make phonics skills spring more...0 points
My First Phonics Book by DK Publishing
The complete preschool learning series to develop more...0 points
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
Illus. in color. "Combines phonics and word recognition, more...0 points
Phonics Pathways: Clear Steps to Easy Reading and Perfect Spelling by Dolores G. Hiskes
Now in its ninth edition, Phonics Pathways (with help more...0 points
Frog on a Log (Usborne Phonics Readers) by Phil Roxbee Cox
This tale is part of a series which uses phonic re more...0 points
Shark in the Park (Usborne Phonics Readers) by Phil Roxbee Cox
A story with a phonics-based text, designed to hel more...0 points
Goose on The Loose (Usborne Phonics Readers) by Phil Roxbee Cox
This illustrated easy reader blends a phonic-based more...0 points
Ted's Shed (Usborne Phonics Readers) by Phil Roxbee Cox
This is a new story about Ted. He decides he is no more...0 points
The 25 Most Popular Books for Beginning Readers
Dear Reader,
Add your submissions.
Vote books up and down the list.
Grab this and share it. The more submissions the better.
Check out my Good Books for Beginning Readers lens if you need some ideas.
Click on the Add to this list button. You can search for a link at Amazon by using the help me find links option.
Grab this will allow you to share a widget or link across the web. You can make this list great by sharing and getting more input.
Use the arrows to vote up or down a submission.
This should be fun!
Sincerely,
Michelle Breum (creator and author of Reading Starts at Home)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?: 40th Anniversary Edition (Brown Bear and Friends) by Bill Martin
With more than two million copies sold, Brown Bear, more...1 point
Little Critter's Read It Yourself Storybook by Mercer Mayer
Compiles six favorite Golden Easy Readers, This Is more...0 points
Big Blue Book of Beginner Books (Beginner Books(R)) by P.D. Eastman
What could make a better present than a classic Beginner more...0 points
Brand New Readers Red Set by Various
Unlike most reading programs, Brand New Readers are more...0 points
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
Illus. in color. "Combines phonics and word recognition, more...0 points
Scholastic Reader Level 1: May I Please Have A Cookie? by Jennifer Morris
Alfie loves his mommy's cookies, and he wants one more...0 points
I Like Bugs (Step-Into-Reading, Step 1) by Margaret Wise Brown
Black Bugs. Green Bugs. Fat Bugs. Buggy Bugs., I l more...0 points
The Horse in Harry's Room (Level 1) by Syd Hoff
Harry keeps a horse in his room. A trusty horse only more...0 points
Frog and Toad Together (I Can Read Picture Book) by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad are best friends -- they do everything more...0 points
Days with Frog and Toad (I Can Read, Level 2) by Arnold Lobel
Friends every dayGood friends like Frog and Toad enjoy more...0 points
When I Am Big Level 1 (All-Star Readers) by Mary Packard
Fisher-Price is the most popular brand of toys for more...0 points
Where's Spot? by Eric Hill
This bigger, brighter paperback edition of Eric Hi more...0 points
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree (Bright & Early Books(R)) by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain
Illus. in full color. Three terrified little bears more...0 points
Put Me In the Zoo (Bright & Early Board Books(TM)) by Robert Lopshire
They say a leopard can't change his spots-but Spot more...0 points
The Bible in Pictures for Toddlers by Ella K. Lindvall
Seventy of the most loved stories from both the Old more...0 points
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