The way a book is read - which is to say, the qualities a reader brings to a book-
can have as much to do with its worth as anything the author puts into it.
~ Norman Cousins ~

Phonics

The National Reading Panel determined that the research indicates that phonics is an essential ingredient in beginning reading instruction and found that:

• Systematic and explicit phonics instruction--phonics instruction that is direct and follows a particular sequence--is more effective than phonics instruction that is not systematic or no phonics instruction at all.
• Systematic, explicit phonics instruction is most effective when it begins in kindergarten or first grade.
• Systematic, explicit phonics instruction improves children's word recognition, spelling, and reading comprehension skills.
• Systematic, explicit phonics instruction benefits all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
• Systematic, explicit phonics instruction most benefits children who are having difficulty learning to read.
• Phonics instruction is only one part of a complete reading program for beginning readers. Effective beginning reading programs should also emphasize reading fluency, vocabulary development, and text comprehension.