This newsletter has been created to inform and educate people about current
findings that can help a struggling reader. We also hope that the content of
the newsletter will inspire those who struggle, that there is hope.
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The Reading Corner
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The Gift of Reading
What do I get Jenny for Christmas? How much did you say that costs?
How many more days 'til the 24th? How many people are coming over
for Christmas dinner? To say this month is stressful is putting it mildly. A
season that is supposed to be full of joy tends to get lost in the stress of
way-too-long to-do lists. We would like to offer a few suggestions to help
ease the stress of this holiday season:
- First, breathe. Stop for a minute when you are running to the next store, and just enjoy the crisp air, the sounds, and the lights; maybe even catch snowflake on your tongue.
- Remember it is a season of giving, not getting. It should not be about the most-expensive gifts but ones that mean a lot. Sometimes, homemade or simple gifts are the best.
- Take some time just to enjoy. Find a good Christmas story, and read it to some loved ones over hot chocolate. There is so much joy that can come from a good story.
Can you imagine how frustrating it must be to not be able to just pick up a good book and read, for
information or just for pleasure? From a report on www.nowpublic.com: "While statistics put the United
States at about ninety-eight percent literacy rate today, there are also countries that have a one-hundred
percent literacy rate. To fully put this into perspective, 'educational experts state that it requires a
ninth-grade education to understand most kitchen products fully, a tenth-grade education to complete
a federal income tax form, and a twelfth-grade education to competently read an insurance form' (Baxter).
The current number of 'illiterate people in the United States is around twenty-two million people'
(Walker), and while the causes and effects of illiteracy are varied, the battle against illiteracy can be
much more successful than it has been recently."
In your thoughts on what to get for whom, can you think of a better gift than the gift of reading?
People don't have to be completely illiterate to need this gift; they may just need some help to make
the process less cumbersome and more enjoyable. Can you think of anyone who would truly benefit
from Discover Intensive Phonics? We want to help get this gift out there, so we will be offering some
amazing deals this month to help you give this gift.
We wish you all the best and hope you find joy this season.
– Reading Horizons
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Famous Dyslexic Spotlight
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This section contains names of famous or recognized people who have been reported in the media,
on the Web, and in books as having some form of dyslexia or struggling in school.
King Carl XVI Gustaf
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has had some "hard and bitter" experiences in his
struggle with dyslexia, his wife says.
Queen Silvia, in a TV interview shown Thursday in Stockholm, spoke publicly for the first
time about the king’s learning disorder. It became publicly apparent during a visit to a
copper mine in 1973, when he signed his name on a rock wall and misspelled it. "That must
have been hard and bitter for him," the queen said.
She also said that there is "a bit" of dyslexia in the couple's children and that the king's
experiences showed her the importance of dealing with it early.
"When he was little, people did not pay attention to the problem. He didn't get the help
he needed," she said.
– COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS
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Inspiration
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"Thank you so much for all your (of) advice and support with regard to Reading Horizons. My daughter, Tessa, a first grader,
was diagnosed with dyslexia in May of this year. She was barely at grade level with reading at Kindergarten graduation but was
doing 2nd- and 3rd-grade Math. We called about the Intensive Phonics program in July and ordered it in August. Tessa has been
using the program only seven weeks, and already we see an improvement. Her reading and spelling are still behind those of her
classmates, but her attitude towards reading and confidence have changed dramatically! She used to dread having to read, and we
dreaded making her. Now, she reads for FUN - on a Saturday! She brags to her friends about having 'tutoring' to do at home - like
it's a privilege, not a chore. The program is fun, easy, and fast - we spend three nights a week, about 25 to 30 minutes a night.
Thank you again for saving us time and money and for changing our daughter's future!"
- Best Regards, Beth Gundrum
View more success stories.
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Product Highlight
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Phonics Games
As one mother said, "I am convinced that learning to read does not have to be
such a frustrating experience." That is why the Intensive Phonics at Home software
(ages 4-9) is full of fun, interactive phonics games. Pizza Pizza!, Whack a Word,
and Tomb Reader are just a few of the available games. Each game focuses on the
words learned in the corresponding lesson. Having the games available keeps students
excited about learning to read! Click on the link to play a demo of some of the games.
Click here to find out how you can save!