What Are Phonograms?

When a child is beginning their first stages of schooling, phonograms can be a vital component of the learning technique that a teacher uses. The reason for this is because phonograms have been recognised as a way to simplify accurate spelling for children.

They have been around now for approximately 60 years, originally the brainchild of Romalda Spalding. Even though she created approximately 70 phonograms during her time of research, there have been acute changes to the structure of phonograms to accommodate the shift in language we have experienced.

How phonograms are implemented in learning:

A lot of the time, the best way for young people to learn can be through the use of visual aids. Because of the nature of phonograms, flash cards are an ideal resource for both teachers to use in class with students, and for parents to use at home with their child for homework. One approach that can be used can be for a phonogram commonly used at the end of words (such as -ck), to be rotated around phonograms typically seen at the beginning of the word (such as ba-, clo- and bla-, making back, clock and black respectively).

The approach taken with students whilst phonogram cards are in use:

A student's association with phonogram cards can begin when a teacher or parent gives the correct pronunciation of a phonogram, or a combination of phonograms that makes a word. Following on from this, the student would be asked to repeat what was said accurately. This process would be repeated until the student can read phonograms and announce them aloud without a prompt from the cardholder. Reverting back to phonogram flashcards which have been successfully completed can help, as it will ensure that a student remembers what they have learned. The phonograms can then be implemented in other parts of literacy, such as spelling tests and when reading texts aloud.

Other phonogram resources

Because of the number of phonograms, there are many ways that this literacy approach can be implemented in the classroom. Usually, phonogram learning can be coordinated to ensure that those being learned are at an appropriate level; starting at basic and progressively becoming more advanced. Sometimes, particular word patterns are used for spelling in order to use repetition in storing the learning into a student's memory. Getting a solid grounding in phonograms before this stage takes place could enhance the results of any spelling tests positively, because they can become acquainted with word endings and word beginnings.

Usually, phonograms which originate from a single letter can be used first - as this can be easing the student into becoming familiar with various sounds. Following on from this, there can be many more opportunities for success when speaking and understanding English. There can be more enjoyment from books, and there can also be an enhanced appreciation for rhyme - this is because students can get a better understanding about how important sounds within words work. This comprehension will strengthen their literacy even further as the students progress in their learning.