Note to users: The original abc English books were published in 2010, and have now been discontinued in favor of new-and-improved material. Programs are encouraged to try out the new abc English Phonics books instead, which include improved material for teaching basic literacy skills, as well as the new abc English Online Library for printable and screen-sharable resources, which can be used for both in-person and online teaching. All new resources are located at the new abc English website.
But why?
The books have been discontinued because:
I realize it takes time to learn a new teaching approach and obtain new teaching materials. This older website will continue to be available to support teachers using the original abc English books. However, when you are ready, I strongly encourage you to try out the new materials and new approach! I think you'll find, as I have, that we can better serve students by taking a systematic approach to teaching phonics, and coupling it with robust and engaging Oral Language development through topic-centered vocabulary and speaking / listening activities.
But why?
The books have been discontinued because:
- The original abc English books were designed around a "Balanced Literacy" approach, which was a popular approach to teaching literacy common from around 2000 to 2018.
- The more recent "Science of Reading" movement highlights the research-proven importance of Systematic Phonics and Structured Literacy, and also brings attention to some of the weaknesses of the Balanced Literacy approach. If you'd like to know more, you can read more about my own experience learning about the Science of Reading in this paper I wrote for the 2021 LESLLA Symposium.
- I've created the new abc English Phonics series to better align with the research promoted by the Science of Reading movement. I've been using this new approach with my own students, and the results are clearly better. I feel strongly enough about it that I decided to discontinue the original abc English books.
- I encourage adult literacy teachers to learn more about research-based literacy teaching methods, particularly Systematic Phonics instruction. To start, I'd recommend to teachers to try out Systematic Phonics instruction, using the Phonics Slideshows available at the abc English Online Library. Spend about half of your lesson on Systematic Phonics instruction, and then spend the other half focusing on Oral Language development, primarily using speaking and listening activities centered on a topic that is relevant to your students. The Vocabulary Slideshows at the abc English Online Library are a good option for this second part of your lesson.
- You can also watch this 60-minute Training video to learn more about all of this!
I realize it takes time to learn a new teaching approach and obtain new teaching materials. This older website will continue to be available to support teachers using the original abc English books. However, when you are ready, I strongly encourage you to try out the new materials and new approach! I think you'll find, as I have, that we can better serve students by taking a systematic approach to teaching phonics, and coupling it with robust and engaging Oral Language development through topic-centered vocabulary and speaking / listening activities.