I thoroughly enjoyed the March 3 Tempo article concerning the educational debate on phonics versus whole language to teach reading in schools.
I fail to see why the two philosophies need to be mutually exclusive. As with most things in life, their seemingly contradictory approaches to reading instruction, if implemented in a thoughtful manner, can best achieve what each method claims to be–the best at creating readers who are thoughtful, critical and reflective of what they read.
Just as one wouldn’t build a house from the roof down, it makes sense that phonics would lay the foundation for solid reading instruction while the whole language method can best be implemented to provide crucial support in the way such skills as setting, characterization and plot are taught in creating a nation of readers.
