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[[Image:Phonics book.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Jolly Phonics'' is a [[British]] synthetic phonics method of teaching literacy, developed by Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham, primary school teachers at Woods Loke School in Lowestoft, England.]]

[[Image:Phonics book.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Jolly Phonics'' is a [[British]] synthetic phonics method of teaching literacy, developed by Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham, primary school teachers at Woods Loke School in Lowestoft, England.]]

'''Phonics''' consists of reading based on phonetic building blocks of language, rather than trying to memorize full words and reading based on recognition of words. Having learned the various English sounds (''[[phonology|phonemes]]''), then the letters they correspond to, children are then able to read many English words.<ref>The term may be used to describe two methods of teaching, "synthetic" and "analytic" phonics. Synthetic phonics is the most widespread and produces the best results; analytic phonics is commonly called "phoney phonics," relying as it does on beginning with whole words learnt by global shape ("initial sight vocabulary") and the building of a "keyword sight vocabulary."</ref> Phonics is widely recognized as the best way to learn to read, yet it is rarely taught properly in schools.  

'''Phonics''' consists of reading based on phonetic building blocks of language, rather than trying to memorize full words and reading based on recognition of words. Having learned the various English sounds (''[[phonology|phonemes]]''), then the letters they correspond to, children are then able to read many English words.<ref>The term may be used to describe two methods of teaching, "synthetic" and "analytic" phonics. Synthetic phonics is the most widespread and produces the best results; analytic phonics is commonly called "phoney phonics," relying as it does on beginning with whole words learnt by global shape ("initial sight vocabulary") and the building of a "keyword sight vocabulary."</ref> Phonics is widely recognized as the best way to learn to read, yet it is rarely taught properly in schools. A less literate population is beneficial to one side in politics ([[Democrat]]s) because it results in more [[ballot harvesting]].

[[Phyllis Schlafly]] wrote ''[[First Reader]]'' to use phonics to teach children how to read, who could then become literate adults.  Learning how to read is essential to being able to read the [[Bible]] and understand [[politics]].  In merely 20 minutes a day, a child can be taught to become a superb reader based on phonics in a few months.  ''First Reader'', for example, is only 165 pages long and several pages can be completed each day in less than a half hour.

[[Phyllis Schlafly]] wrote ''[[First Reader]]'' to use phonics to teach children how to read, who could then become literate adults.  Learning how to read is essential to being able to read the [[Bible]] and understand [[politics]].  In merely 20 minutes a day, a child can be taught to become a superb reader based on phonics in a few months.  ''First Reader'', for example, is only 165 pages long and several pages can be completed each day in less than a half hour.

Under phonics, once a child learns the basic and simple phonetic building blocks, the child can read any word and any book.  [[Public schools]] have typically taught a "look and say" or word recognition approach to reading<ref>"Whole language reading instruction (also known as "look-say" or "sight" reading) is the most widely used method of teaching reading in the U.S. and many other countries." [http://www.halcyon.org/wholelan.html''Whole Language vs. Phonics'']</ref><ref>"The education establishment prefers whole language, while most parents and some teachers prefer a phonetic approach." [http://www.home-school.com/Articles/WholeLanguage.html ''Whole-Language Boondoggle'']</ref> which limits the child to reading only words that the child has previously seen.

Under phonics, once a child learns the basic and simple phonetic building blocks, the child can read any word and any book.  [[Public schools]] have typically taught a "look and say" or word recognition approach to reading<ref>"Whole language reading instruction (also known as "look-say" or "sight" reading) is the most widely used method of teaching reading in the U.S. and many other countries." [http://www.halcyon.org/wholelan.html''Whole Language vs. Phonics'']</ref><ref>"The education establishment prefers whole language, while most parents and some teachers prefer a phonetic approach." [http://www.home-school.com/Articles/WholeLanguage.html ''Whole-Language Boondoggle'']</ref> which limits the child to reading only words that the child has previously seen.