Slashdot reader Thelasko says his oldest baby made some “attention-grabbing” statements once they got here residence from first grade:

One explicit phrase that bothers me is, “I can learn footage.” Just lately, I heard a radio present on NPR about whole-language studying instruction, and the way it’s a horrible approach to be taught. I’ve since discovered that it is a hotly debated subject. I discovered to learn in a phonics-only setting. To me, that is the one approach to learn. I do not have a look at the footage, or the remainder of the sentence until I’m fully clueless about what a phrase is. This whole-language strategy simply appears flawed. Have any Slashdot members been via this expertise with their kids?

Did anybody discover good analysis supporting somehow, not simply opinion? What’s your opinion on whole-language versus phonics solely studying instruction?
Different Slashdot readers shared some considerate feedback. I75BJC wrote:
From my private expertise, the Entire Phrase Technique of studying to learn didn’t assist me. It restricted my vocabulary and, particularly, my capacity to be taught new phrases on my own. In a phrase, the Entire Phrase Technique “SUCKS”. Massive time!

My third-grade trainer was horrified at our lack of studying abilities (after 2 years of the Entire Phrase Technique) and commenced instructing Phonics to the category. That helped however she couldn’t dedicate the time to Phonics as if it has been the best way to learn. It helped rather a lot however it did not undo the harm that the Entire Phrase Technique precipitated. Having been taught each Phonics and the Entire Phrase Technique, I’d say, from expertise, that Phonics is the higher methodology. As a Schooling Main in faculty, I’d state that my skilled opinion is that Phonics is vastly superior.
BTW, the controversy between Phonics and the Entire Phrase Technique has been happening for many years — greater than 50 years…

And Iamthecheese wrote:
Some kids are taught higher by listening, some by studying, some by doing. Some will be taught by phonics greatest, some by getting cues, and most from a mix of those. Do you realize what a baby wants? Academics and oldsters who love them sufficient to strive totally different strategies if the kid is struggling. That is what’s lacking.

Colleges which can be glorified daycare and oldsters who do not have time for his or her kids are the issue. Repair that and everything falls into place. Love the kids sufficient to make sacrifices for them and deal with them as people…

The place do different Slashdot readers stand on this debate? Depart your individual ideas within the feedback.

Are we instructing kids the flawed approach to learn?