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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Phonemic Awareness and Rhyme
Through research, we have found that phonemic and phonological awareness is just as important
as phonics in helping children to find reading success. We have found that it is an essential
skill, needed early on in childhood, and that there are things we can do as parents and
educators to help develop phonemic awareness. Helping children understand rhyming is one
key skill of phonemic awareness. Here are a few suggestions to help develop this skill:
- Have children finish phrases with a rhyme. "The fat rat sat on a ________." Making up nonsense rhyming words works, too (like "grat"). Whisper the words that don't rhyme.
- Help children learn simple rhymes to recite, including jump rope rhymes, nursery rhymes, and favorite songs with rhymes.
- Read books full of rhymes, and repeat them often. As children get to know the stories, pause and let them fill in the missing words. Dr. Seuss books like "The Cat in the Hat" are great for this.
- During waiting times (at the doctor's office, grocery store, or restaurant), ask rhyming questions. Have children think of a real word or nonsense word that rhymes with their name ("Anna banana") or with a color word ("blue shoe").
- You can also play a game to help your child recognize when words don't rhyme. Say, "I am going to say some words that rhyme. Let me know if I get any wrong." Then, follow with "car-tar, bed-red, tan-fan, ice-truck," and let your child tell you which didn't rhyme. Children often enjoy feeling like they are ones in the know and they get to correct you.
Reference:
Block, C.C. &s; Israel, S. E. (2005). Reading First and Beyond: The Complete Guide for Teachers and Literacy Coaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
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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.
Muhammad Ali
"As a child and adult who was and is afflicted with dyslexia, and the father of a a severely
dyslexic daughter, I know first hand the challenges that many children with learning
difficulties face, not only in school but at every turn in their lives."
"For many years, learning differences were misunderstood. Children unfortunate enough to be
affected were labeled by teachers and peers alike as dumb, stupid, and incapable of learning.
These labels would stick throughout high school and follow many into the workplace and everyday
settings. They would even follow into the family--a place where every child should feel valued and
safe. How many children have failed to pursue a higher education or a degreed career as a result
of this misfortune?"
"As a high school student, many of my teachers labeled me 'DUMB.' Of course I knew who the real
dummies were. I barely graduated from high school. There was no way I was going to college--I
never even thought about it. I could barely read my textbooks. I was lucky though. I had
enough belief and self-esteem to carry me to greatness in other ways. I have been able to
overcome my learning differences through my own persistence. But most cannot and most will not
without the right kind of help."
See how our program is the "right kind of help" Ali is talking about.
Click here.
Click here.
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Inspiration
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"I am a single mom with three children and (recently moved to) La Crete, Canada. In September, the
children started elementary school, and I started attending the ESL program at Northern Lakes College
in La Crete. I completed the ESL program in January. I feel that I have leaned many new things. I (had)
never attended English classes before I came to Canada. In the Reading Horizons program, I tested (at)
grade 11.3 after five weeks of (taking) the lessons, and I am very proud of myself."
- Tina Peters, La Crete, Canada
View this and other success stories.
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Product Highlight
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Assessing a student's current reading ability can be a difficult task to undertake. With the Reading
Horizons at Home software, tests and assessments are built into the program. Three initial pre-tests
are given, which include: reading-grade level, Most Common Words, and nonsense words. Based on the
outcomes, students will know which lessons they should go through. Four interim tests fall at
strategic points within the lessons and assess student understanding of the concepts taught to that
point. If an interim test is failed, the computer automatically resets the software to require those
lessons to be retaken. All of these components help to ensure student success.
Click here to find out how you can save!