"Phonics" is the root word, and "phonic" is an adjective that describes something related to phonics.
Here's why:
* Phonics refers to the system of teaching reading by correlating sounds with letters or groups of letters.
* Phonic describes something related to this system, like "phonic awareness" or "phonic skills".
So, the next time you see "phonic," remember that it's just a fancy way to talk about the awesome world of phonics!