Phonics & Reading

We encounter language in four basic ways: hearing, speaking, reading and writing. The first form by which language comes to us is hearing—before we are able to express language, we hear it used by those around us. Eventually children learn to speak themselves, and by the time they learn to read the average child has a spoken or oral vocabulary of 400-500 words. The larger the child's oral vocabulary, the easier it will be for him to learn to read.

The transition between spoken and read language comes when a child begins to realize the symbols he sees all around him—on road signs, in the hymnal, on the cereal box—represent the words he hears and speaks. Learning to read is simply learning to decipher these symbols in context.

Phonics is the study of the relationship between letters and the sounds they make. A child who learns to read phonetically learns to understand written language based not on the mere appearance of words on the page, but based on the sounds and oral vocabulary he already knows. Phonetic instruction provides the most thorough foundation for understanding written language because it builds upon prior naturally acquired knowledge, rather than setting up a brand-new learning paradigm that can ultimately confuse and frustrate students.

Of course, there is good and bad phonics instruction. Good phonics instruction is the result of pairing an understanding of Phonics Facts with a good Phonics Habit. Phonics facts are the sounds letters make alone or in combination, also called phonograms. A good Phonics Habit entails the ability to read and pronounce phonograms correctly by recalling them from oral memory.

Without a firm grasp of Phonics Facts and a solid Phonics Habit, a person is limited to reading only words he can memorize. No one can memorize every word in the English language, but with phonics a student can read virtually any word he encounters, whether he has seen or heard the word before or not.

Teaching a child to read well takes time; the purpose is not simply to be able to let the child loose as soon as possible, but to provide him the proper tools for unlocking language on his own. The rewards of teaching your child to read are some of the greatest you'll ever have academically—you can almost see his mind waking up as the whole realm of learning opens before him. Basically all knowledge is made available by the ability to read, not just of science and history, but knowledge of God and His people, and the offer of this to your child is one of the greatest gifts you'll ever provide.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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242 Items found Print
Active Filters: Kindergarten (Ages 5-6), Used Books & Materials
70 Basic Phonograms - CD
by Wanda Sanseri
from Back Home Industries
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
A Veces Las Cosas Cambian
Mis Primeros Libros
by Patricia Eastman
for Preschool-1st grade
in Spanish Resources (Location: FL-SPARE)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Adventures in Phonics - CD
Adventures in Phonics Series
by Callie Lindstrom
from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in CLP Adventures in Phonics (Location: PHO-CLP)
$10.60 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
Walt Disney Productions Presents
from Random House
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
All About Reading - Review Box
from All About Learning Press
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in All About Reading (Location: PHO-AAR)
$17.95 $11.00 (2 in stock)
All About Reading Pre-Reading - Reader 1
by Marie Rippel
from All About Learning Press
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in All About Reading (Location: PHO-AAR)
$14.95 $10.00 (3 in stock)
All About Reading Pre-Reading - Reader 2
by Marie Rippel, Renee LaTulippe
from All About Learning Press
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in All About Reading (Location: PHO-AAR)
$14.95 $10.00 (2 in stock)
All About Reading Pre-Reading - Review Box
from All About Learning Press
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in All About Reading (Location: PHO-AAR)
$17.95 $12.00 (1 in stock)
All About Reading Pre-Reading - Teacher's Manual
by Marie Rippel
from All About Learning Press
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in All About Reading (Location: PHO-AAR)
$19.00 (1 in stock)
All About Reading Tote Bag
from All About Learning Press
for Preschool-4th grade
in All About Reading (Location: PHO-AAR)
$15.95 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Alphabet Quest
by Ned Bustard
from Veritas Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Clearance: Readers (Location: ZCLE-READ)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
Amazing Circus of Phonograms: Act 2
by Mary Jo Nyssen, Joe Palmisano
1st edition from MOM-BA-BOOKS
for Preschool-1st grade
in Miscellaneous Phonics (Location: PHO-MISC)
$13.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Animal Homes
National Geographic Kids Pre-reader
by Shira Evans
from National Geographic
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in National Geographic Early Readers (Location: EAR-NGR)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Annie and Snowball and the Cozy Nest
Reprint from Simon Spotlight
in Ready-to-Read (Location: EAR-R2R)
$4.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
Are You My Mother?
by P. D. Eastman
from Random House
Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$9.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Arthur's Christmas Cookies
I Can Read! Level 2
by Lilian Hoban
from Harper & Row
for Preschool-2nd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Baby Elephant
All Aboard Science Reader Level 2
by Ginjer L. Clarke
from Grosset & Dunlap
for Kindergarten-1st grade
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Bargain for Frances
An I Can Read Book Level 2
by Russell & Lillian Hoban
from HarperCollins
Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Basic Phonics Flashcards K5 - 3
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in A Beka Phonics (Location: PHO-ABK)
$29.00 (1 in stock)
Basic Phonics Sounds CD
4th edition from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in A Beka Phonics (Location: PHO-ABK)
$10.50 (1 in stock)
Bats
by Lily Wood
from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Before We Read & First Steps - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50 $3.00 (4 in stock)
Best Trick
by Rebecca Lewis
from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$3.50 (4 in stock)
Beyond Phonics: Word Pattern Stories - Text
by Nancy D. Nelson
Revised edtion from Training for Life Publications
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Reading Reference (Location: REF-READ)
$18.00 (1 in stock)
Big Ball of String
by Marion Holland
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$4.50 (3 in stock)
Biscuit and the Baby
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Reprint from HarperCollins
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Biscuit Feeds the Pets
My First: Shared Reading
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories
from Harper
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Biscuit Finds a Friend
1st edition from HarperCollins
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Biscuit Takes a Walk
My First: Shared Reading
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories
from HarperTrophy
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Biscuit's New Trick
My First I Can Read Book
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
1st edition from HarperCollins
for Preschool-1st grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Blend Practice Cards A
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in A Beka Phonics (Location: PHO-ABK)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
Bob Books Collection 2
by Bobby Lynn Maslen
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Bob Books (Location: EAR-BOB)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Bob Books Collection 3
by Bobby Lynn Maslen, illustrated by John R. Maslen
from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Bob Books (Location: EAR-BOB)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
Bob Books Set 1
by Bob L. Maslen
from Scholastic Inc.
in Bob Books (Location: EAR-BOB)
$17.99 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Bones
Step Into Reading: Step 2 (Reading with Help)
by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Davy Jones
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Preschool-1st grade
in Step into Reading (Location: EAR-STEP)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Bugs!
National Geographic Kids Pre-reader
by Shira Evans
from National Geographic
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in National Geographic Early Readers (Location: EAR-NGR)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Bugs, Beetles, and Butterflies
Puffin Science Easy-to-Read Level 1
by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Lisa Flather
from Puffin Books
for Preschool-1st grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Buzz, Bee!
National Geographic Kids Pre-reader
by Jennifer Szymanski
from National Geographic
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in National Geographic Early Readers (Location: EAR-NGR)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Case of the Hungry Stranger
An I Can Read Book Level 2
by Crosby Bonsall
from Harper & Row
Children's Mystery for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Cat in the Hat Comes Back
by Dr. Seuss
from Random House
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$9.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Caterpillar to Butterfly
National Geographic Kids Level 1: Starting to Read
by Laura Marsh
from National Geographic
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in National Geographic Early Readers (Location: EAR-NGR)
$2.50 (2 in stock)
Caterpillars and Butterflies
Usborne Beginners
by Stephanie Turnbull
from Usborne
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book K
by Florence Lindstrom
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$8.90 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book K - Answer Key
by Edward Shewan
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$3.00 $1.50 (1 in stock)
Civil War Sub
by Kate Boehm Jerome
from Grosset & Dunlap
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Clam-I-Am!
by Tish Rabe, Illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu
from Random House
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Cat in the Hat's Learning Library (Location: EAR-CAT)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Clue Word Cards
from A Beka Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in A Beka Phonics (Location: PHO-ABK)
$15.00 (2 in stock)
Come and Have Fun
by Edith Thacher Hurd, illustrated by Clement Hurd
1990 Reprint from HarperCrest
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Complete Help Your Child Learn to Read Book
by Sherry Ann Perry
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Clearance: English & Language Arts (Location: ZCLE-LAN)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Cookie House
by Margaret Hillert, illustrated by K. Y. Craft
from Follett Publishing Co.
for Nursery-1st grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Cows Can Moo! Can You?
Cat in the Hat's Learning Library
by Bonnie Worth, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz and Joe Mathieu
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Cat in the Hat's Learning Library (Location: EAR-CAT)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Creating the Best Literacy Block Ever
by Deborah Camp, Gayle Morrison, Maryann Manning
from Scholastic Reference
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Clearance: English & Language Arts (Location: ZCLE-LAN)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Critical Conditioning
by Kathryn Stout
from Design-A-Study
for All grades
in Design-A-Study (Location: HSR-DAS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Daddy is Home!
by David Blomquist, illustrated by Aliki, music by Larry Grossman
from Holt, Rinehart and Winston
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
Danny and the Dinosaur
An I Can Read Book Level 1
by Syd Hoff
from HarperCollins
for Preschool-1st grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Danny and the Dinosaur Goes to Camp
I Can Read Level 1: Beginning Reading
by Syd Hoff
from HarperTrophy
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
DK Readers: A Trip to the Zoo
by Karen Wallace
from DK Children
for Preschool-3rd grade
in DK Readers (Location: EAR-DK)
$3.99 $2.50 (1 in stock)
DK Readers: Diving Dolphin
DK Readers Level 1
by Karen Wallace
from DK Children
for Preschool- 3rd Grade
in DK Readers (Location: EAR-DK)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Dr. Seuss's ABC
by Dr. Seuss
Book Club from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Nursery-1st grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
from Random House
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Elephant and Piggie Complete Collection - Boxed Set
by Mo Willems
from Disney-Hyperion
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$95.00 (1 in stock)
Explode the Code - Placement Tests
by Nancy Hall
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Explode the Code (Location: PHO-ETC)
$41.49 $16.50 (2 in stock)
Explode the Code A, B, C - Teacher's Guide
by Nancy Hall
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for Kindergarten
in Explode the Code (Location: PHO-ETC)
$7.50 (2 in stock)
Fall Leaves
by Mary Packard
from Cartwheel Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Scholastic / Hello Reader! (Location: EAR-SCH)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
Fantastic Frogs!
Hello Reader! Level 2
by Fay Robinson
from Scholastic Inc.
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Scholastic / Hello Reader! (Location: EAR-SCH)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Fighting Fires
See More Readers Level 1
by Seymour Simon
from SeaStar Books
for Preschool-1st grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
First Flight
by George Shea
Reissue from HarperCollins
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$5.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
Flowers
Usborne Young Beginners
by Emily Bone, illustrated by Samara Hardy
from Usborne
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Flutter, Butterfly!
National Geographic Kids Pre-reader
by Shelby Alinsky
from National Geographic
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in National Geographic Early Readers (Location: EAR-NGR)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Fly Went By
by Mike McClintock, illustrated by Fritz Siebel
from Random House
Rhyming Books for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Fly-Away at thge Air Show
by Leone Adelson, illustrated by Andree Golbin
from Wonder Books
for Preschool-1st grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Focus on Fives - Teacher Edition
4th edition from Bob Jones University Press
for Kindergarten
in BJU Phonics (Location: PHO-BJU)
$119.00 (1 in stock)
Foot Book
Bright & Early Books
by Dr. Seuss
from Random House
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$9.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
Foot Book
Bright & Early Books
by Dr. Seuss
from Random House
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Footprints in the Snow
A Hello Reader! Book Level 1
by Cynthia Benjamin
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Scholastic / Hello Reader! (Location: EAR-SCH)
$2.00 (3 in stock)
Go, Dog, Go!
by P. D. Eastman
from Random House
Animal Fantasy/Rhyming Stories for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$9.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Go, Dog, Go!
by P. D. Eastman
Kohls Cares For Kids from Random House
Animal Fantasy/Rhyming Stories for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Go, Train, Go!
by Elizabeth Terrill, Rev. W. Awdry
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$5.00 (2 in stock)
God Made Insects
A. P. Early Readers (Level 2)
by Eric Lyons
from Apologetics Press
for Preschool-1st grade
in Apologetics Press Readers (Location: EAR-APO)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
God's Gifts
by Mary M. Landis, illustrated by Edith Burkholder
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Gollywhopper Egg
by Anne Rockwell
from Macmillan
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Good Egg and the Talent Show
I Can Read! Level 1
by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
from HarperCollins
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Great Snakes!
Hello Reader! Level 2
by Fay Robinson
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Scholastic / Hello Reader! (Location: EAR-SCH)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss
from Random House
Fantasy for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$9.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb
Bright & Early Books
by Al Perkins
from Random House Books for Young Readers
for Nursery-Kindergarten
in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB)
$9.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Harry and the Lady Next Door
An I Can Read Book Level 1
by Gene Zion
from HarperCollins
Realistic Animal Stories for Preschool-1st grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$5.99 $3.00 (1 in stock)
Helen Keller: The World at Her Fingertips
I Can Read! Level 2
by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Gustavo Mazali
from HarperCollins
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Hello, Penguin!
National Geographic Kids Pre-reader
by Kathryn Williams
from National Geographic
for Preschool-Kindergarten
in National Geographic Early Readers (Location: EAR-NGR)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Henry and Mudge
by Cynthia Rylant
from Aladdin Paperbacks
Realistic Animal Stories for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Ready-to-Read (Location: EAR-R2R)
$5.99 $2.50 (1 in stock)
Henry and Mudge
Ready-to-Read Level 2
by Cynthia Rylant, Sucie Stevenson
from Simon and Schuster
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Ready-to-Read (Location: EAR-R2R)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Home Start in Reading
by Ruth Beechick
from Arrow Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Clearance: Home School Resources (Location: ZCLE-HSR)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Reader 2
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$18.75 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Reader 3
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$18.75 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Reader 4
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$18.75 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Teacher's Guide 1
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$17.50 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Teacher's Guide 2
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$17.50 $8.00 (3 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Teacher's Guide 3
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$17.50 $8.00 (3 in stock)
Horizons Phonics & Reading K - Teacher's Guide 4
from Alpha Omega Publications
for Kindergarten
in Horizons Phonics & Reading (Location: PHO-HOR)
$17.50 $8.50 (3 in stock)
How Flowers Grow
Usborne Beginners
by Emma Helbrough
from Usborne
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA)
$4.99 $3.00 (3 in stock)
Hurry Hurry
by Edith Thacher Hurd, Illustrated by Clement Hurd
from Harper & Row
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
$20.00 (2 in stock)
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