Phonics
What is Phonics
Wikipedia [1] introduces this topic very well, so there is no need to reiterate the information here.
Need for Phonics Activities on the OLPC
Phonics activit`ies contribute to English-language literacy teaching and to the teaching of English as a second language. Someone knowledgeable should comment on the utility of such activities in literacy teaching for non-English languages
Phonics Activities in the OLPC
SynPhony A open-source phonics literacy program called SynPhony been started to provide a database framework for teaching literacy using the synthetic phonics method in any alphabetically written language. It will offer a structure for language resources and the ability to keep track of a user's progress in becoming literate. It will allow games and other activities to query a user's knowledge base so that reading material can be selected that is tailored to the reading ability of the user. OLPC is being targeted as one of the first platforms for SynPhony.
For more information on SynPhony: [[2]]
Project page for SynPhony: [[3]]
Wiki for SynPhony: [[4]]
What is the synthetic phonics method? [[5]]
Add links to more activity pages here.
Ideas for New Activities
Many of the activities suggested for teachers at Free-Reading.net (see External Resources, below) are suitable for creating educational activities for the OLPC.
External Resources
"The Sounds of English" is a website that offers rich tools to construct word lists for phonics teaching. [[6]]
"Free-Reading.net" is a website offering many resources for teaching early readers.[[7]] It has a complete curriculum "Intervention A" that has been accepted by the Florida public schools.