Beyond Phonics: Word Pattern Stories

by Nancy D. Nelson

Training for Life Publications

Despite the title, this is not a phonics program, although it certainly reinforces and builds upon phonics. It uses stories, songs, poems, and activities primarily as mnemonic devices to reinforce spelling patterns. According to the author, “This program provides a necessary bridge between beginning reading and higher level spelling, between phonics and the word memorization needed to apply phonics principles with automaticity” (p.2).

It should be especially useful for students who lack a strong visual memory that enables them to recognize correctly and incorrectly spelled words. These are the students who often show little progress when using more traditional spelling programs.

This program can be used on its own or in conjunction with other phonics or spelling programs that teach words by grouping them according to common phonograms or sounds. Lessons are arranged under letter patterns such as “-ff, -zz,” “-ci- as sh,” or “age.”

For each lesson, you introduce the words and discuss the spelling pattern or patterns. Next, you read the story; one of the briefer ones reads: “Usually, I work like crazy. I’m not lazy, but sometimes I like to laze around and gaze at the stars. My eyes glaze over and my mind goes hazy. I’m in a daze. Within minutes, I am asleep.” Discussion of the moral and character lessons should follow the story, but that’s optional. The teacher then rereads the story, dictating the bold words for students to write.

An optional workbook provides the story in fill-in-the-blank form plus word lists from which students can work. The workbook will save a tremendous amount of time, so I recommend purchasing it.

This system can be used with all ages once they have at least begun to learn phonics. You need to be selective about lessons, choosing those appropriate for various skill levels. You might also adapt lessons with more challenging words, by only having younger students write the simplest words in those stories. While the example above would be suitable for young students, a lesson that includes the words “mother, of, discovered, covetousness, quarrelsome, and confession” would need some adaptation.

Only one textbook is needed for the entire family for all levels. Also each student needs only the one workbook to cover all levels.

Beyond Phonics, both textbook and workbook, is available in two versions: general or Christian. In the Christian version, stories written to appeal to all ages are designed to reinforce Christian character and Biblical principles while also incorporating basic, non-denominational doctrine. The general version talks about positive actions and character traits, but there are no mentions of God, prayer, or the Bible.