Glossary

1. Alphabetic Principle--The sound symbol relationship found in alphabetic languages such as English.
2. Balanced Reading Instruction--Combines aspects of the phonics and whole language approaches to teaching reading.
3. Basal Reading Series--Also known just as basals, basal reading series are graded series of textbooks used to teach reading in elementary schools.
4. Phonics--The sound/symbol relationship between the spelling of words and the way they are spoken.
5. Phonics Emphasis--The approach to teaching reading that emphasizes the sound symbol relationship in alphabetic writing systems such as English.
6. Phonemic Awareness--Knowing that spoken words are made up of sequences of individual sounds and the ability to manipulate those sounds.
7. Reading Wars--The dispute over the best way to teach reading that is being carried out by advocates of the phonics and whole language approaches to teaching reading.
8. Whole Language--The approach to teaching reading that focuses on getting meaning through text and teaching reading, writing, and other subjects together.