Should the terms decoding and phonics be used ‘interchangeably’?

“Decoding is the ability to apply your knowledge of letter-sound relationships, including knowledge of letter patterns, to correctly pronounce written words. Understanding these relationships gives children the ability to recognize familiar words quickly and to figure out words they haven't seen before”. “Phonics is one approach to reading instruction that teaches students the principles of letter-sound relationships, how to sound out words, and exceptions to the principles”.
These terms in my opinion should not be used interchangeably. I feel that decoding applies to a child’s grasp of phonics and phonemic awareness and is the actual application of that knowledge. I also feel that decoding goes further to assist a child in giving an unfamiliar word meaning; for instance, using a prefix to give the word meaning.
“Without being able to decode the written word, reading comprehension is impossible”. To decode any text a reader must be able to integrate his prior knowledge with the text, make connections so understanding or comprehension would take place.
References:
http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/phonics
http://www.learninginfo.org/reading-comprehension-problems.htm

Poetry Slam....

My class hosted a poetry slam within the last week of school, it was a success. I feel that my readers will benefit from this experience tremendously. The children practically did all the planning and the hosting of the event. It was part of their project for this term. I felt a sense of pride when my weakest reader with a little coaching and his partner who is a 'semi-fluent' reader were able to go on the stage and present the poem with little mistakes, this is ironic because his partner did not want to work with him initially because he claimed he could not read. This exercise showed me as a teacher that you must give children different opportunities to practise fluency.

Subsequent to the Poetry Slam I read an article by Christy Barnes entitled "Choral Recitation". This artcle reiterated the aspect that reciting poems is so important. At the Rudolf Steiner School the day "begins with speech exercises opr poems recited in unison for speaking awakens the one who speaks.Listening tends to make us sleepy."this is looking at poetry as a way of of keeping the brain active.
The author also refers to the recitation of poetry as the "best possible physical 'breating exercises,' for it requires a natural deep breathing which strengthens the diaphragm muscles."- children's lungs become stronger!

References:
Choral Recitation by Christy Barnes
Education as an Art
published by Waldorf Schools of North America
Vol.31,No.2-Spring/Summer 1973