* Do we read whole words in an instant, or by sounds? The path to fluency is through mastering the connection between letter combinations and the sounds they represent. The fact is that our letters stand for sounds, not ideas. While some still debate "whole language" versus "phonics" instruction, the [[phonics]] approach has won that debate. | * Do we read whole words in an instant, or by sounds? The path to fluency is through mastering the connection between letter combinations and the sounds they represent. The fact is that our letters stand for sounds, not ideas. While some still debate "whole language" versus "phonics" instruction, the [[phonics]] approach has won that debate. |