Systematic Synthetic Phonics has been identified in Australia and other English-speaking countries as the most successful approach to the teaching of reading and spelling.
This part-to-whole approach involves ‘breaking’ words into separate phonemes which can then be blended together to read or spell a written word.
In December 2005, DEST published the results of its National Inquiry Into the Teaching of Literacy. It determined that if synthetic phonics was taught first, “the combined effects” of phonics instruction and whole language instruction was significantly more effective than phonics instruction on its own.
Sadly, six years later, many teachers do not know what synthetic phonics is and work in schools where there is nothing systematic about the way in which phonics is taught
This course provides participants with an opportunity to look at models of synthetic phonics instruction and become familiar with effective and fun-filled strategies for such instruction.
Early childhood and primary teachers
2.5.2 Proficient Level - Know the content and how to teach it - Literacy and numeracy strategies: Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.
Welcome to Reading and Spelling Gains with Systematic Synthetic Phonics
Course objectives
My Experience of Reading and Spelling
Task: My Experiences with Reading and Spelling Instruction. I remember...
The Place of Phonics
Analytical and Synthetic Phonics
Changes to Phonics in the Australian Curriculum
The Year One Phonics Check - OPTIONAL - Target audience Early Childhood Teachers
MODULE 2 Downloadable Summary - OPTIONAL
Research Timeline
Reading Research
The Clackmannanshire Study
Task: Evaluating the Importance of Synthetic Phonics Instruction
MODULE 3 Downloadable Summary - OPTIONAL
Principles of Synthetic Phonics Instruction
PDF: Principles of Synthetic Phonics Instruction
Task: Changes we could make to our Literacy Instruction
High Frequency Words Phonically Sorted
Structure of a Synthetic Phonics Lesson
Should we use Levelled or Decodable Readers? (Optional)
Optional Task: A book I send home...
MODULE 4 Downloadable Summary OPTIONAL
Letters and Sounds
Get Reading Right
Where to Start
Task: Exploring Resources from Letter and Sounds OR Get Reading Right
Comparing Systematic Synthetic Phonics Programs
MODULE 5 Downloadable Summary OPTIONAL
Multisensory Activities and Games
Task: Exploring Additional Resources
Program Linked Resources
Electronic Games
Decodable Readers
Catering for Older Students - OPTIONAL Target audience Upper Primary/Secondary
MODULE 6 Downloadable Summary OPTIONAL
Changes to Practice - Tasks
PDF of Course Resources and References OPTIONAL DOWNLOAD
Course Feedback
Completing Reading and Spelling Gains with Systematic Synthetic Phonics will contribute 5 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework, addressing Standard Descriptor 2.5.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher in NSW.
Shirley Houston
