I have seen Heggerty implemented very well. I have also seen it implemented very poorly. Heggerty can be used effectively as a brief transition activity or in a small group where more student leadership and choice can be implemented. I observed one very skilled teacher incorporate Heggerty skills and strategies spontaneously during free play in response to children showing interest in the sounds of new words that arose during dramatic play.
I agree, though, that Heggerty is too often used as a long, teacher led, rote activity, resulting in children being unable to effectively connect with the intended phonological awareness strategies and concepts.
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JaredLisonbee
Salt Lake CityUT
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