Reply #19: you haven't been to an elementary school lately, have you? [View All]

[northzax]

were you aware that one of the precepts of school reform in the late 90's was the lifting of phonics to preeminence in the teaching of reading? That most test-prep is based on phonics? sure, phonics can be a tool. But only a tool. you can memorize the fact that 2+2=4, right? and if someone shows you 2+2=__ you know that 4 goes in the blank. that, in a nutshell, is how phonics are taught in this country. reading is not rote memorization, it is an art, that must be taught as one.

Which do you think is a better way to learn to read?

let's take the word CAT.

would you rather have your child learn that...

a: to pronounce CA='KA' and T (the phonics method)

b: someone showing them: and the word CAT and letting them figure it out for themselves? which will enable them to learn more? whaddya think?

If you go to a school that is failing the 'no child left behind act' they are being forced to teach the former way, developing a nation of memorization robots. not anyone who can THINK. but I guess that's ok.