All About Teaching and Learning Phonics

[laughingcat]

Bluepanda:

Hi,

Does anyone know how to decode these words - helmet, second, tunnel and kitten?

I was told that these words can break down like this.
For \"helmet\", break down into \"h/e/l/m/e/t\"
For \"second\", break down into \"s/e/c/o/n/d\".
For \"tunnel\", break down into \"t/u/nn/e/l\".
For \"kitten\", break down into \"k/i/tt/e/n\"

For example, \"helmet\", I say it as \"h/e/l/m/t\" without the \"e\" sound. But if I sound out each word, the word will then sound funny. Is there a rule to these words?

Can any mummies help me? Thanks in advance.

-bluepanda

If the short vowel does not sound right, try the long one. Which in this case the 2nd |e| should just say the name. This helps with irregular words. E.g he, blind, item

[Bluepanda]

Hi laughingcat,

Thanks for your reply.

I think I found the answer at this link - http://www.englishpronunciationpod.com/podcast_20.html

In this website, it states that \"When a syllable is unstressed the vowel changes quality the vowel is reduced- it's made shorter and usually we use the vowel /ə/,\" the schwa.\" ( /ə/ as a in across)

For example, \"helmet\"
In this word, the 2nd syllable \"met\" is unstressed and hence the vowel /e/ is reduced to /ə/. And this explains to me (at least) why I read this word (helmet) as \"helmət\" and not \"helmet\".

This can be used to explain words like \"seven, tunnel and kitten\".

I wonder how phonics teachers teach such words to the kids? Anyone parents know care to share? Thank you.

[laughingcat]

Hi Bluepanda,


There are many rules to phonics since English Language is rather \"technical\". Moreover approximate 80-90% of the words can be decodable. Normally pre-school teachers only taught the basic phonics rules. Some rules are best taught when the child is sightly older; depending on the maturity of the child. To avoid confusion, just teach the basic phonics rules will do.

To me, personally not quite possible for a toddler to understand so many rules. Both my child are taught the basic rules and they are already reading very well already. Lots of reading with the children, phonics play & activities and flashcards as well. Relax lah

[Bluepanda]

Hi laughingcat,

Thanks for your reply.

I know that I should teach the basic rules but I stumbled upon these words while reading with my girl Fitzroy Reader 8x. So I became curious :? and wonder how I should teach her... and wonder how will a phonics teacher teach her (assuming she's attending a class)... :?

[laughingcat]

I also have the fitzroy readers as well. They are excellent yeah. But I assume you have already taught your child all the phonics rules well before you embark the readers yeah. So once you hit the readers, you shouldn’t have much doubts already.

[Bluepanda]

Hi laughingcat,

Yah, the Fitzroy readers are pretty easy to teach and my girl knows the basic sounds from A-Z and simple 3-4 word blending. And because she is taught the basic sounds, she first read the word \"helmet\" as \"hel-met\" and not \"\"helmət\".

I still wonder why Fitzroy Reader has this simple yet difficult-to-explain word in Reader 8x. Did you face the same problem when you try to teach your boys these words (helmet, kitten, seven, tunnel etc) which have the schwa sound?

Sidetrack a bit, do you use Fitzroy worksheets too?

[laughingcat]

It also okay. Just remind the child since they are so young and might not even remember the rules as well. For instance the word "decide" where /c/ is /s/ sound. So for kids who are speaks alot will know that it should be read as /s/ sound.


No my kids do not have such problem in the word "helmet", "kitten", "seven", tunnel". Coz besides just knowing the basic sounds from A-Z, they knows the long and short vowel sounds and alternative sounds very well. Blending is a ease for my boys.

[Bluepanda]

Thanks for all your sharings, laughingcat!

[Regine Lau]

Hi all KSP,


Is it really a must for a child to attend phonics class? Does it really help them in reading??? :?:

[tankee]

IMO


not a must.

But in our DS case, phonics helped in his reading and spelling. It is definitely a major plus.