Entry #7: The Role of Phonics

One part that I found particularly interesting about this weeks reading was the paragraph on page 166 labeled, "The Role of Phonics in a Balanced Literacy Program". In this paragraph, Tompkins states that "Phonics is a controversial topic", I thought this interesting because how could something integral to literacy be controversial. I read on, prepared for the worst. 

Tompkins goes on to explain that while there are some that think our educational shortcomings could be remedied if we taught children to read using phonics, there are also those that think phonics is a complete reading program (p. 166). I think maybe I'm confused because I don't understand why or how these two thoughts are separate mind sets. Phonics, to me, is in every single thing that I do. Even now, while I am typing, subconsciously I am using phonetic awareness to type these words and create a voice. Phonics truly is interrelated and embedded in everything we do when it comes to speaking, reading, and writing. For example, I never thought of it as myself teaching phonics but when I would work with small groups on reading and would sound out words for the students and show them how the letter on the page looks and sounds when I say it, I was, in fact, teaching phonics. 

I disagree and agree with both viewpoints. On one hand, I feel like it's already embedded in our teachings whether we put emphasis on it or not, but on the other hand I can see how some may think a phonetic reading program would be beneficial. I don't think that it needs to be separate, it shouldn't. A phonetic reading program should already be incorporated into the content instruction. While reading aloud to students, teachers should be sounding out big or new words, or showing how to shape their mouth to make a certain letter sound. Maybe, by reading program, they mean actual worksheets and facts about phonics, phonemes, and graphemes, and so on, but even as an adult I struggle to engage in these teachings just based off the complexity. I don't see how it would be anything but confusing to young children. 

In conclusion, I feel like phonics just is and that phonics should just be. What I mean by that is that it should be a regular practice that we teach and learn naturally through all content areas. I don't think an emphasis on "reading program" is necessary; it should just be embedded.