User:Matclaama/The Writing Road to Reading

The Writing Road to Reading is a comprehensive K-6 total language arts program and is the text for The Spalding Method. The Method integrates all elements of the language in spelling, writing, and reading lessons. Phonemic awareness, systematic phonics, high-frequency vocabulary are taught in spelling. Students first learn that words are made up of individual sounds and that 26 alphabet letters, and fixed letter combinations (e.g., sh, ow), represent 45 English speech sounds. Students learn these sounds by looking at each phonogram card, and listening to a teacher, parent, or tutor say the sound or sounds. After watching the teacher say and write the phonograms, they say and write them from dictation. Soon, they say and write high-frequency words from dictation in spelling/vocabulary notebooks. Lastly they read the words two ways: by sound or syllable for spelling; and in normal speech to develop rapid word recognition.

In the writing lesson, the same high-frequency words are used to teach word meanings, usage, word parts, grammar, and composition. In the reading lesson, students learn the attributes of fine literature, the structure of narrative and expository text, fluency, listening and reading comprehension. They learn to monitor their comprehension while reading, to make connections with prior knowledge and the text, to predict word meanings, type of writing, outcomes and so forth. They learn to reorganize (reformat) the information in text and use it to mentally summarize, that is to confirm a stated main idea or infer an implied one. In The Spalding Method, instruction is explicit, systematic, interactive, diagnostic, and multisensory. Teachers model, coach, and provide support as needed; students articulate, reflect, and explore new concepts. Careful daily observation of student progress enables teachers to differentiate instruction to meet student needs. Students see, hear, say, and write using all channels to the brain to enhance retention.