Are you looking for hacks to teach kids to use phonics while reading? If so, keep reading.

1. Compose paragraphs and short stories requiring phonics skills the learner is presently learning. The passages must be of interest to the learner using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.

2. Get the learner to dictate stories that are then put in print for them to read, placing emphasis on reading skills.

3. Get the learner to read high interest signs, advertisements, notices, etc., from newspapers, magazines, movie promotions, etc., placing emphasis on phonics skills.

4. Make sure the learner is practicing phonics skills that are causally related to high interest reading learning activities (e.g., adventure, romance, mystery, sports, etc.).

5. Get the learner to make a list of phonics skills that have been learned (e.g., words they can find by sounding out). The learner continues to add to the list as they identify more and more terms.

6. Teach the learner all beginning sounds before expecting them to blend sounds into words.

7. Record complicated reading content for the learner to listen to as they read along.

8. Make sure that the reading requirements of all subjects and tasks are within the capacity and ability level of the learner. If they are not, adjust the reading content to the learner’s capacity and ability level.

9. Make sure that the learner’s knowledge of a particular skill is being assessed rather than the learner’s capacity and ability to read instructions. Reading instructions to the learner may enable success.

10. Give the learner oral reminders or prompts when they are unsure of sounds that letters make when blended together.

11. Minimize the amount of information on a page if it is visually distracting for the learner.

12. Refrain from placing the learner in awkward reading skills (e.g., reading aloud in a group, identifying that the learner’s reading group is the lowest level, etc.).

13. Ascertain if the learner has instant recall of all consonant and vowel sounds and combinations.

14. Practice active learning at the smartboard by having students hear, write, and read words.

15. Practice, drill, and review every day.

16. Get students to say sounds as they write them.

17. Let students write a story, paragraph, or sentence using phonetic shorthand. This narrowing of sounds helps the learner to find the sounds with letters used to construct words.

18. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

19. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

20. Try using one of our many apps designed to teach literacy skills and help students with reading issues:

10 Apps That Teach Your Child to Read

7 Must-Have Apps to Make Students Love Reading

7 Must-Have Phonics Apps and Tools

9 Reading Apps and Tools for the Elementary Classroom

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