Information from the text and the knowledge of the reader must act together in constructing meaning. Background knowledge and linking aren't important when reading contrived phonetic stories. Open Court very cleverly and systematically present phonics. The program becomes problematic after second grade when countless nonphonetic words are encountered. Strategies need to be developed from day one so that students can be problem solvers and can use other means besides phonics to decode words.
Emphasis is on reading words instead of reading ideas.
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