Question 1

Teaching "3 Letter Words"

Manabiocean · Accepted Answer

On the first day, explain clearly to students how there are two different ways to pronounce A-Z: the Alphabet Sounds and Phonics Sounds. You could do this by first going through the A-Z flashcards, saying both sounds, and then practicing together with the students all the words of the unit in order: Alphabet-Phonics-Word.

It will take time for students to learn these basics, so be sure to keep doing lots of drilling. You should always start the Phonics part of the lesson by drilling the first page of the Unit (Alphabet-Phonics-Word). To mix things up, you can then do the Reading Practice pages with the students, too. Many students will struggle with the similar-sounding Phonics pronunciations, so try to focus especially on these difficult sounds. Beginning with Unit 3, you might start drilling the vocabulary by first doing Alphabet-Phonics-Word, and then also the Phonics Sounds of each word individually ("b, a, g, bag... c, a, p, cap...").

Question 2

Unit 3～6 - “Homework” pages

Manabiocean · Accepted Answer

If you’re doing these pages in class, they can initially be quite challenging for students.
The goal is to get students to respond with the alphabet names for each letter of the words. First, play the word from the CD, after which you can pronounce the word more slowly for them. (This isn’t yet enough to get them to answer most of the time.)
Next, try to help by pronouncing the individual phonics sounds. For example, if the word is “gum,” say the phonics sounds for “g,” “u,” and “m.”
If they can’t remember the alphabet name of the letter, try writing the capital letter of it on the whiteboard. This might help them recall.
If all else fails, you can help them with the “ABC Song,” which most kids by this point will know. If the alphabet sound you want them to say is “G,” sing “A B C D E F…???” This should prompt them to say “G.” Get them to say it a second time as you write it on the whiteboard (and as they write it in their textbook) to help with memorization.

Question 3

Unit 3～6 - “Check Quiz” pages

Manabiocean · Accepted Answer

While these pages are meant to test students’ reading ability, realistically they often won’t be able to read the words by themselves, especially in the beginning.
First, help students by saying the individual phonics sounds of the words. For example, if the word is “gum,” say the phonics sounds for “g,” “u,” and “m.”
If that doesn’t help, ask if there is maybe any other word they can read.
If they can’t read any of the words at all, ask the student instead to look at the pictures and ask if they know the names of any of the things pictured. Hopefully, they’ll know at least a couple. Pick one, and see if you can find the word together.
…If not, point at a picture and tell them the first letter of it (alphabet & phonics). Get them to search for the right word.

Phonics Starter

Drilling for Alphabet World

Phonics Adventure 1