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“Learning to read can, at times, seem almost magical,” Blevins begins this brief on phonics instruction. “But it’s not magical.” In this brief, the author provides a clear description of what phonics is and why it matters. Although phonics can be taught in different ways, research supports instruction that is explicit and systematic. In addition to being explicit and systematic, strong phonics instruction has the following seven key characteristics: readiness skills, scope and sequence, blending, dictation, word awareness, high-frequency words, and reading connected text.
StandardsWork highlights the benefits of high-quality curriculum adoption and implementation, promotes research on the “curriculum effect,” and elevates both educator and family voices in support of a curriculum renaissance. StandardsWork focuses on three core areas: the vital role curriculum plays in delivering content and in teaching skills, the importance of building deep background knowledge in students, and the “octane” that specific evidence-based instructional practices can provide. The organization also sponsors the aligned Knowledge Matters Campaign (opens in a new window).
