Teach a child to read with phonics.

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Help a Reader Sound Out Words Using Phonics Rules

Some children learn to read easily. It's almost like they teach themselves.

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?

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Visit We Teach Children to ReadChildren 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.

You won't need worksheets or expensive phonics books to teach your child phonics rules. Using magnetic letters is a low cost way to teach phonics. Once you purchase magnetic letters, all learning phonics activities are free. Your child will have fun learning phonics with magnetic letters. I share ways to teach with magnetic letters on my blog and on YouTube. You can teach phonics rules, short vowel sounds, long vowel sounds, segmenting sounds in words, blending sounds in words, consonant blends, letter combinations, and even letter recognition.
Hear and Say Short Vowel Sounds
by pacrapacma | video info

0 ratings | 633 views
curated content from YouTube
Change the Short Vowel Sounds in CVC Words to Make New Words
by pacrapacma | video info

3 ratings | 3,352 views
curated content from YouTube
Long Vowel Phonics Rule
by pacrapacma | video info

0 ratings | 902 views
curated content from YouTube
Two Phonics Rules for Short and Long Vowel Sounds
by pacrapacma | video info

2 ratings | 6,727 views
curated content from YouTube

More Videos to Teach Phonics

Teach the CVC Phonics Rule with Short u
by pacrapacma | video info

1 rating | 3,032 views
curated content from YouTube

Foam Magnetic Letter Set

These are the best magnetic letters I've found!

I highly recommend this set of magnetic letters for children.
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)Buy Now

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?

My Daughter's Path to ReadingThe best phonics books have an interesting story and plot.

Good phonics books focus on a few rules and letter combinations to help a child learn a pattern.

Popular phonics books have bright illustrations, fun characters, and a little humor.

The phonics books I recommend have this and more!

Recommended Phonics Books

Now I'm Reading Phonics Series by Nora Gaydos

My Favorite Phonics Books!

These phonics books are fun and increase in difficulty. Your child will want to read them over and over!

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.
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Teach and Practice Phonics with Dr. Suess

Dr. Suess books are some of the best books to read aloud to a child.

Who doesn't love Dr. Suess books? Most children like these stories read to them over and over.

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.
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Starfall Short Vowel Phonics Books

You have to visit Starfall's Free Website to Teach a Child Phonics!

Starfall

Even though the Learn to Read set of books is free online, children love to hold their own copy!

Starfall is one of my favorite learn to read with phonics sites. You'll find free animated versions of these books here. Click on the pictures to see animations.
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Teach Phonics with Finger Paint

Fun Stuff!

Even the most reluctant child of any age might like working with finger paint. I used the slick side of freezer paper taped to a table for these videos. You can find a recipe for homemade finger paint and more in this post from my Beginning Reading Help blog.
Teaching Short and Long o Vowel Sounds with CV and CVC Patterns
by pacrapacma | video info

5 ratings | 3,741 views
curated content from YouTube

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.

Be sure to take the poll and let everyone know which site you found the most useful.
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.

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What Are Good Early Reader Books?

Click on this picture to view an entire book from Brand New Readers Red Set.Books for beginning readers have short sentences.

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.

Having enough early reader books for your child to read and reread may be one of the most important things you can do. Just like anything else, it takes practice to get good at something.
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I have found some great places to share and learn ways to teach reading.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 - 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

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 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

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

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

My First Phonics Book by DK Publishing

The complete preschool learning series to develop more...0 points

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

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

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

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

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

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

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

view all 34 items

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

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

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

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

Brand New Readers Red Set by Various

Unlike most reading programs, Brand New Readers are more...0 points

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Helping a child become a successful reader is an amazing experience. I'd like to share my knowledge with parents, so more parents can feel this joy!... more »

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Teach with Magnetic Letters 

You can try some of the magnetic letter activities you find on my blog.

Magnetic Learning Letters - Lowercase

Amazon Price: $14.06 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

There are four of each letter in this set. The letters are made of durable foam with a full layer of strong magnetic backing. You can find ways to organize and use magnetic letters on my blog.

Use this board to teach with magnetic letters. 

Little Red Tool Box: Magnetic Tabletop Learning Easel

Amazon Price: $14.51 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

This magnetic dry-erase board is sturdy. You can fold it up for easy storage. It can be used vertically or horizontally. It's the same board I use in my videos.

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