Syntax relies on the structure of the English language. Meaning is the most important cueing system. Phonemic awareness, including rhyming, blending and segmenting phonemes aurally, is essential to learning to read, and should be taught, starting in the home in infancy. Students who use multiple cues while reading, balanced readers , are the most successful readers. Some students learn to read without phonics instruction.
Some students absorb needed phonics generalizations through their experiences with print.
Others rely on other cueing systems to read in the early stages, but need phonics instruction for more advanced, independent reading and for spelling. Students should be taught to use phonics interactively with meaning and syntax. Students should be given opportunities to make links. Phonics instruction should be on-going and relevant to the needs of the students. Different students in each class have different needs and understandings, and should be taught according to those needs.