This module will provide a basic course in phonemic awareness as it pertains to emergent readers of any age. Key topics highlighted in the module will include definitions of phonemic awareness and the levels of development, a method of assessing phonemic awareness, criteria for selecting phonemic awareness activities, and planning effective lessons for fostering students’ movement through the levels of phonemic awareness development.

Research has shown that phonemic awareness is one of the most important predictors of future reading success. Although the majority of children will develop phonemic awareness without direct instruction, some will not. These children typically do not come from literacy-rich homes. When these children come to school, teachers must insure that they have early experiences to develop this most important knowledge of how sounds in words work. There are many fun and interesting ways to engage children in activities that will foster their movement through the stages of phonemic awareness development. Teachers must use their knowledge of scaffolding, their understanding of the nature of the development of letter/sound awareness, and their expertise in fostering the alphabetic principle to design phonemic awareness learning experiences for their students.

After completing the module, the user will be able to:

1. define the term phonemic awareness and describe why it is important to early literacy development.
    
2. describe the levels of phonemic awareness.
    
3. assess students’ phonemic awareness development.
    
4. evaluate instructional activities to foster development of phonemic awareness.
    
5. write phonemic awareness lesson plans.

This module will improve professional development of teachers in that by completing the Internet-based module the teacher will increase awareness about the topic, develop conceptual understanding, and gain skills that will help in the teaching of phonemic awareness.  The teacher can then apply these skills when working with children with the goal of improved student achievement.

Standard #1 - Reading: Word Recognition, Fluency, and Vocabulary Development

Students must complete the following activities:

1. Read the selected phonemic awareness articles and answer questions.
    
2. Review and evaluate online phonemic awareness activities for children.
    
3. Assess the phonemic awareness development of two children.
    
4. Write two lesson phonemic awareness lesson plans.