Phonics involves teaching students the relationships between letters and sounds. It builds upon phonological awareness by connecting sounds to letters. Phonics can be difficult for students to learn due to inconsistencies in English spelling rules. Teachers can help students learn phonics through activities like name puzzles, interactive writing, teaching consonant blends and digraphs. As students progress, teachers focus more on phonics instruction and less on phonological awareness. Phonics is assessed through measures like TPRI, anecdotal records, student work samples, and phonics worksheets. The overall goal is for students to gain reading proficiency through regular phonics practice.