What does analytic phonics focus on when teaching students to decode words?

Analytic phonics emphasizes the analysis of known words to help students understand the relationships between letters and sounds. This approach allows students to use their existing knowledge of words to identify phonetic patterns and make connections between letters and their corresponding sounds. By examining familiar words, learners can develop a deeper understanding of phonics rules and strategies that can be applied to decode new words.

This method contrasts with focusing solely on individual letter sounds, which may not provide the contextual understanding required for effective decoding. While practicing with flashcards can aid in reinforcing letter-sound correspondence, it doesn't involve the critical component of analyzing relationships within the context of known words. Similarly, reading texts in isolation lacks the interactive and analytical aspect of phonics instruction that is central to analytic phonics. The focus on familiar words allows students to build confidence and enhance their decoding skills through contextualized learning.