Fixing Our Reading Problem

The statistics are startling. The number of adults and children who read poorly in America today is astoundingly high, see the statistics here. Get the facts for yourself online. Read the statistics at the National Center for Education Statistics (here and here), and read the facts about phonics here and at the National Right to Read Foundation's website (NRRF). Read what research says about phonics and the importance of literacy.

Speak the Truth in Love.

Pro-phonics voices are often very critical of individuals and institutions supporting whole word methods. While it is important to speak out for the truth, I believe that we need to speak the truth in love. It is important to know that there are individuals and institutions who have opposed phonics instruction in the past and who may continue to oppose the teaching of phonics.

However, we need to be as it says in Matthew 10:16, wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. I ask that you join me in lighting candles rather than cursing the darkness. Give reading grade level tests to your children, your grandchildren, and your neighbors' children. Spread the news of my free phonics lessons, the free phonics lessons at starfall.com, numerous free programs at Don Potter's Education Page and the availability of free and inexpensive commercial phonics programs listed on my website and at the NRRF website.

Support Phonics.

Support pro-phonics organizations like NRRF and pro-phonics legislation like No Child Left Behind.

Support polititians and teachers who support phonics.

Give everyone you know a reading grade level test (or, just have them read to you from the newspaper) and point them to a good phonics program if they need help.

Tutor with phonics.

Bring my phonics concentration game with you everywhere and play it with kids of all ages.

Print out my sight word page and my list of the 220 most commonly taught sight words arranged by their phonetic patterns and give them to every teacher who is teaching sight words and every parent you meet whose child is being taught sight words.

Send my YouTube sight word movie to every parent whose child is being taught sight words.

Join Don Potter in his campaign to spread this powerful phonics program, Blend Phonics, throughout our schools.