Module 3: Activity 2

It is amazing to how our brain can fill in the letter and make out the words and what they say. I think it is neat how "cracking the code" works. With that being said, I don't think it is the best instructional tool to use with kids. Children should know their phonics and be phonemically aware of the sounds in the word. While watching the video, I thought it was great to hear the kids “crack the code” of the sounds. I am just a little weary about using that to teach the kids. I feel that students need to build phonemic awareness with real words. I feel that if they are reading these types of words, then what is their spelling or writing going to look like? I feel it’s all about balance and if we used “cracking the code” to teach the kids, I am not sure that it would build their fluency. I think that readers focus on the words to create a meaning rather than understanding the word.  The letter sounds are very important for any child to know. If as student is reading words that they don’t understand the meaning of, then what are we teaching them? I feel this will only hinder their vocabulary and writing skills. If I were to use “crack the code” then I would do it with my proficient readers, but not to make my readers proficient.