Making Sense of Phonics

“Making Sense of Phonics, Third Edition, is a 'must' for anyone who wants to navigate the science of reading with effective, engaging, efficient instruction. Beck and Beck analyze the state of phonics instruction in current core programs and provide classroom recommendations complete with online downloadable resources and easy-to-administer, focused assessments. I particularly appreciate the authors’ excellent treatment of phonemic awareness—it is a breath of fresh air and should be read carefully by teachers, administrators, and teacher educators alike!”

—Kathleen J. Brown, PhD, Director Emeritus, University of Utah Reading Clinic


“This is the ultimate phonics guide. Beck and Beck provide strategies, resources, and commentary to support educators with developing a comprehensive approach to teaching phonics. No need to struggle through the teacher's edition of a basal program any longer once you have this book! Readers of previous editions will be thrilled with new content in the third edition, including updates to Word Building (a fan favorite), a new and improved Syllasearch routine, and much more. Not to be missed!”

—Lisa Yonek, EdD, Reading Coordinator, Reading Achievement Center, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Pennsylvania


“This excellent book is appropriate for inservice and preservice teachers alike. Beck and Beck thoughtfully critique widely used commercial phonics programs and address ways to better prepare teachers in this key area. The book outlines specific, powerful instructional procedures that teachers can easily use to enhance or modify their phonics instruction. The authors describe various options for how best to implement their recommendations in classrooms, and provide an array of resources to assist teachers in doing just that.”

—Marcy Stein, PhD, School of Education (Emeritus), University of Washington Tacoma