More on "The New Thing"

So the new thing is teaching phonics.

We're going to be showing the kids a series of phonics flashcards with example words to get across the idea that the letters and their combinations represent particular sounds. The method is to present one set per month until we run out of combinations. The goal is to give the kids the ability to read an English word without having to sound it out in katakana pronunciation. Of course we'll be reviewing as we do this and when we get to the point that we are presenting them with whole words their will always be a natural review that just happens ...naturally.

I started yesterday with the first year (it's a first year project) and it went really well. But after I had finished I realized that there are some problems that need to be addressed.

For example: the o sound that occurs in the word do isn't covered by either the long or short vowels sounds that are taught for o.

For another example: the a in the word father has the same problem.

Yet another example: the s in the word is is pronounced like z.

So, here's what I think I am going to do. As I come to the problem letters I'll take a moment to write the exceptions on the blackboard. It won't take too much time since their aren't that many and maybe it will prevent problems later. Right now here's what I think might need a special explanation.

a, father
c, pencil
g, garage
o, do, one, some
s, is
x, xylophone
y, happy

Silent e's and voiced and unvoiced th can be worried about later but these exceptions to the rule are encountered early.

Maybe not garbage and xylophone but the words one and some occur in the first year book.