Editor:
Were Berks County school districts’ PSSA and Keystone Exam results reported in the Nov. 19 Reading Eagle really noteworthy? Common sense says all subject learning suffers if students cannot read well. How does one learn to read proficiently? Through phonics instruction.
I was a Gov. Mifflin first- and second-grader during the John F. Kennedy presidency and clearly recall the phonics rules that were drilled into me.
The five vowels, a-e-i-o-u, are unique by having a long and a short sound
• When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking: meat, soap, sail
• I before E, except after C: receive, receipt, retrieve, believe
• Words ending with letter E, the E is generally silent: make, bike, rope
• The GH in words is silent: light, sight, neighbor
• Homonyms: hear, here, to, too, two
Learning to read is much like athletics. Mastering the fundamentals is essential for success. Proficiency is achieved through repetition until it becomes routine. Yes, students learn at different paces, but it is the same 26 alphabet letters regardless of a student’s race, ethnicity or gender identity.
A concept exists in business called “cutting your losses.” If goals are not being met, it is nonsensical to continue doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Federal and state mandates notwithstanding, public schools should deemphasize Common Core and restore phonics into the curriculum.
Phonics was effective for teaching this 1st grader to read in 1961-62. Would it not be just as effective today?
Keith Worley
Cumru Township
Source: Berkshire mont