How to Use Our Phonics Products

We've tailored our guidance for both teachers and parents.  Please select the section that best meets your needs.

Introducing the Phonics Concept:

1. Discuss each song’s phonics concept—letter formation, phonics rules, spelling patterns—as examples occur naturally in students’ reading and writing.
2. Add visual and tactile examples of targeted letters or words through illustrations, photographs, or concrete objects.
3. Examine and discuss the words on the mini-charts before singing the songs.
   
   
   

Introducing the Phonics Concept:

1. Discuss each song’s phonics concept—letter formation, phonics rules, spelling patterns—as examples occur naturally in child's reading and writing.
2. Add visual and tactile examples of targeted letters or words through illustrations, photographs, or concrete objects such as plastic letters.
3. Examine and discuss the words on the mini-charts before singing the songs.
   
   
   

Learning the Song:

1. Begin by listening to the song recording while pointing to the each example on the Mini-Charts. Be sure that each child has a clear view of the Mini-Charts.
2. Ask questions to check for understanding of each example in the song.
3. Have students join in on the repeated parts of the song.
4. Play the recording several times a day until the song is mastered.  Be sure to point to the Mini-Charts each time the song is played.  Eventually students can be the “pointers.”
5. Divide up parts of the song among different sets of children.  Ideas for dividing up song lyrics, adding hand/body motions, and reinforcing through games can be found in many of the teaching suggestions.
6. Add hand or body motions to reinforce learning and add interest and engagement.
   
   
   

Learning the Song:

1. Begin by listening to the song recording while pointing to the each example on the Mini-Charts.
2. Ask questions to check for understanding of each example in the song.
3. Have your child join in on the repeated parts of the song.
4. Play the recording several times a day until the song is mastered.  Be sure to point to the Mini-Charts each time the song is played.  Eventually your child can do the pointing.
5. Divide up parts of the song between yourself and your child.  Ideas for dividing up song lyrics, adding hand/body motions, and reinforcing through games can be found in many of the following teaching suggestions.
6. Add hand or body motions to reinforce learning and add interest and engagement.
   
   
   

Reinforcing the Concept:

1. Use the instrumental recordings of each song to check for retention of concepts. If children can sing the words and point to the charts without assistance, they are ready to expand the concept to other related words.
2. Help students to generate other examples of each phonics concept and create your own Mini-Charts by using the Templates at the end of the Mini-Chart booklets. Sing the song with your own examples.
3. Make a word wall with examples of targeted words in each song.
4. Encourage students to search literature, poetry, and environmental print for examples of each phonics concept as well as exceptions.
5. Help students develop a phonics notebook divided into ten sections, one for each song in the series.  Students label each section with song title and phonics rule.  As examples are found, students enter these into the appropriate sections of their notebooks.
6. Play games such as Concentration to reinforce each song’s concept.
   
   

Reinforcing the Concept:

1. Use the instrumental recordings of each song to check for retention of concepts. If your child can sing the words and point to the charts without assistance, s/he is ready to expand the concept to other related words.
2. Help your child to generate other examples of each phonics concept and create your own Mini-Charts by using the Templates at the end of the Mini-Chart booklets. Sing the song with your own examples.
3. Make a word wall with examples of targeted words in each song.
4. Encourage your child to search literature, poetry, and environmental print for examples of each phonics concept as well as exceptions.
5. Help your child develop a phonics notebook divided into ten sections, one for each song in the series.  Have him or her label each section with song title and phonics rule.  As examples are found, they can enter these into the appropriate sections of their notebooks.
6. Play games such as Concentration to reinforce each song’s concept.