Sorry! My response is a year late but I left Korea around this time last year and haven't kept up like I wanted to. I'll answer this poster's question to benefit them in case they still want the answer as well as to benefit others.

With my 3rd graders, I started them with a heavy alphabet review until my CT and I were convinced they really understood what each letter was and what sound they made. We did the alphabet chant every class for a whole year, building on each letter. Then we also had one class dedicated ONLY to the alphabet. Towards the end of their 3rd grade year we slowly introduced some phonics concepts to warm them up for the following year.
When they got to 4th grade, we began teaching phonics full-on. With a separate class dedicated to teaching phonics.
Now that's it been a year, I understand after my departure, this was stopped because the teacher who followed me didn't want to teach it. Pretty sad if you ask me.

Quote from: travelinpantsgirl on March 07, 2012, 06:16:53 pm

I know it seems like an obvious thing to say but...it really does. I just wanted to share my experiences on this from today.

Last school year I decided that my (3rd grade) students needed to be taught their ABCs and phonics. The books, when they even attempt the alphabet, do a crappy job. My poor kids (quite literally) were frustrated and unhappy with English class; because honestly how much would you like a subject when you can't understand anything except listen and repeat??? So, last term, I made an ABC workbook covering 3-4 letters per lesson. Finishing the book in one term. Interspersed in between were phonics worksheets and activities showing them the connectivity between letters - sounds - words. The result: An extraordinarily enthusiastic grade 3 with a fever for English. They loved their workbooks, and they would ask whenever we came to class, "Is it ABC time?"
Now that same grade 3 is now grade 4 and we will now teach them full on phonics. They have phonics workbooks that I got from here: http://www.funfonix.com/
We started the books today and to my CT's and my amazement they knew the words right off and they did the work no problem. They could read them and what's more they understood my instructions in English. They have also had the advantage of having 85% English classroom, where only complicated instructions are translated and the difference is amazing.
If you are teaching really low level and are struggling for them to understand classroom content, my suggestion is introduce the idea of phonics to your school...my students couldn't be happier and more well behaved.
It is a lot of work though and requires a good relationship with your CT. You also have to condense your book lessons to leave one class open per lesson to teach it.
If you choose to do it... I wish you luck and happy students!
If anyone needs any help or advice on this, just msg me!

So, when they were 3rd grader did you start them off with the intro to phonics first so that once they hit the 4th grade, you did the FULL phonics book?

Also when you said you were showing them the relation between word-letter-sound with activities, just what kind of activity did you do? All I can help thinking about is reading! :(  LOL. Sorry, first time teacher here and spanking new at this.  Thank you for your clarifications! :D Btw, I know you asked that we message you, but I wasn't sure how to do that on waygook.  Sorry! :D

I know it seems like an obvious thing to say but...it really does. I just wanted to share my experiences on this from today.

Last school year I decided that my (3rd grade) students needed to be taught their ABCs and phonics. The books, when they even attempt the alphabet, do a crappy job. My poor kids (quite literally) were frustrated and unhappy with English class; because honestly how much would you like a subject when you can't understand anything except listen and repeat??? So, last term, I made an ABC workbook covering 3-4 letters per lesson. Finishing the book in one term. Interspersed in between were phonics worksheets and activities showing them the connectivity between letters - sounds - words. The result: An extraordinarily enthusiastic grade 3 with a fever for English. They loved their workbooks, and they would ask whenever we came to class, "Is it ABC time?"
Now that same grade 3 is now grade 4 and we will now teach them full on phonics. They have phonics workbooks that I got from here: http://www.funfonix.com/
We started the books today and to my CT's and my amazement they knew the words right off and they did the work no problem. They could read them and what's more they understood my instructions in English. They have also had the advantage of having 85% English classroom, where only complicated instructions are translated and the difference is amazing.
If you are teaching really low level and are struggling for them to understand classroom content, my suggestion is introduce the idea of phonics to your school...my students couldn't be happier and more well behaved.
It is a lot of work though and requires a good relationship with your CT. You also have to condense your book lessons to leave one class open per lesson to teach it.
If you choose to do it... I wish you luck and happy students!
If anyone needs any help or advice on this, just msg me!

@travelinpantsgirl
I def would love your help, please msg me, as I am not at the 5 post limit.
I am teaching 3rd graders who do not have a firm grasp on their ABCs let alone anything else related to English. Their levels vary, but knowing phonics fully is my goal for this year with them. I haven't been able to come up with any lesson plans and I could def use your help.

thanks!