Phonics FAQs

What are phonics books?

Phonics books are particular texts used to help teach reading. They emphasize the importance of the relationship between letters and sounds. Saddleback phonics books provide engaging reading materials for grades 4 through 12 at accessible reading levels.

How do you teach phonics to tweens and teens?

Reaching an older audience can be a bit more challenging, but not impossible. There will be some overlap in teaching phonics for both younger and older students with things like comprehension and reading out loud. However, it won’t be exactly the same. Make sure your students break down words into more than just syllables, but things such as prefixes or suffixes. Affirmation is also a crucial part of this process and can help to make sure your readers do not get discouraged.

Are phonics and decoding the same?

Decoding and phonics go hand-in-hand, but they are not the exact same thing. Phonics is the method of teaching that shows the relationship between letters and the sounds associated with them. Decoding, on the other hand, is the ability to apply said knowledge and correctly pronounce words. Decoding is the action, and phonics is the tool to complete the action.

Does phonics help with decoding?

By learning phonics, students can begin to decode the material they are trying to read. The relationship between sounds and letters in teaching phonics gives readers the resources to begin decoding written material and developing as a reader.

What phonics based products are available for teachers?

We know that it can be difficult to help out an older student who is a developing reader. That’s why we’ve created phonics-based libraries featuring decodable text for both teens and tweens.

We also created our Hi-Lo Book™ Comprehension Strategies Guide for teachers. This guide includes visual examples and simple step-by-step instructions. Educators will be able to easily assimilate this material into their lesson plan to help their learners get on the right track.

What phonics products are available for new English speakers?

Our phonics libraries are excellent resources for newcomers. Additionally, our Welcome Newcomers Library for teens and Go! Welcome Newcomers Library for tweens are perfect for learners whose first language is not English.

The goal of these libraries is to introduce newcomers to American culture as well as school and community systems, with 14 topics presented in both accessible fiction and nonfiction books. Some of the key product features include extensive teaching support, approachable text with low readability, and a focus on vocabulary acquisition.

We also have Welcome Newcomers Fundamentals for both teens and tweens, featuring fiction books about those same 14 topics that are written at lower reading levels.

Will I have the option to purchase either print or digital versions?

We offer a digital library that features our most popular products available for those seeking an alternative to a physical book. Several of our libraries are also available in a dual print/digital format for anyone seeking a blend of both options.

Will these phonics books require constant guidance, or can striving readers use them independently?

Our libraries provide materials that can be navigated both in small groups and independently. The text has low readability and full-color photos to support the text, with progress monitoring to assess what your students have just read with an activity or a quiz. The digital versions provide text-to-speak and highlighting tools, as well as a simple design that won’t draw the attention away with any distraction.

We also have a series of Hi-Lo Classics that feature engaging and age-appropriate versions of classic books at a lower reading level.