If you check my past posts (agapemom) you will see that my son has a LOT of learning problems and teaching him to read is one of my BIG concerns right now.
I lucked onto a program that is working WONDERS for me and I used the search feature of this website and find that it does not show up at all.
I found out about this program through the following Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beginning-Reading-Instruction/ I highly recommend signing up for this group and learning about the program as one of the original researchers is on the list and many tutors ar on the list.
It is a program where decodable books begin at the MOST BASIC level and scientifically and systematically introduce the phonetic code at an incremental level. Each book has extensive review of previously learned code and only one or two additional phonemes are introduced per book.
From what I understand, it teaches the basic and advanced code “in context” - in other words, they are learning the phonemes and phonemic code via reading.
Since it is doing such a great job for me I want to share it with you. I am really excited about it.
The program is called SWRL or RALP or BRI/ARI.
These are all acronyms for pretty much the same program:
SWRL = Southwest Regional Laboratory ( where the original research and development was conducted)
Apparently, the original SWRL books (developed in the 60’s) are no longer available. Currently, two companies have “resurected” the orignal books and make them available:
One company called 3RsPlus is selling the books on CDs and you print them out at home. Currently, ONLY BRI is available but ARI is supposed to be available soon. (this company is headed by the original researcher who is also on the Beginning Reading Instruction Yahoo Group list.)
BRI = Beginning Reading Instruction (sets 1-2)
ARI = Advanced Reading Instruction (sets 3-8)
Another company has resurected the books and all of the sets are available via books sent in the mail:
RALP = Reading For All Learners
This is not an ad for either company so I have not posted links. If you join the Yahoo Group the links are there.
I am SO EXCITED because it seems from the tutors on the list that BRI/ARI or RALP is doing wonders for them (and so far, it’s doing wonders for me and Dean).
The tutors on the list are very knowledgeable and many used Phonographics (Reading Reflex) prior to using the SWRL research based books.
I am very eager to hear from anyone who has experience with these books.
I am also eager to share my personal experience with Dean.
Re: SWRL RALP BRI/ARI
Sounds like you’ve hit a gold mine :-) :-) Another good resource is Bloomfield (I *think*)’s _Let’s Read_ which can be found at http://www.rlac.com (as well as other decodable series’ and flashcard sets broken *way* down into specific phonics patterns and a ton of other great resources).
It sounds like he really needs things broken down further than PG does, further than the Bob books do. (Generally, the folks who think PG or Bob Books are The Great Answer haven’t worked with a kiddo like this; unfortunately, *some* of them can be harsh to those who, in their opinion, simply must not be using The Great Answer correctly. Since most kids *can* make a fairly smooth transition from decodables to more varied text, without explicit teaching of everything along the way, they find that all that drill and explicit teaching is something akin to boot camp and to be avoided.)
Could be PG will be a good way to bring things together, though, once he’s gotten to some mastery of the code.
Oh, and I’m pretty sure there’s no problem with posting links as a parent discovering something — it’s just that when one person posts *claiming* that… and posts exactly the same thing half a dozen times, and never posts anything else… then it starts to smell an awful lot like an ad. Sometimes it’s a fine line between testimonial and advertisement, but I daresay you haven’t crossed it.
Re: SWRL RALP BRI/ARI
I just wanted to say this is so great that you have found something that works with your son. When I read your post, I wondered if such materials would have made our journey easier, if we had known about them. I actually referred a couple parents on other boards to your post. I think there are a lot of people who would benefit from what you have discovered.
Beth
P.S. I still haven’t mailed what I promised I would but I think your address is in my bag. Sorry!
Re: SWRL RALP BRI/ARI
I am using the RALP books as decodable readers. They are very extensive and supply the practice a child needs but often does not get in many otherwise good programs that teach the alphabetic principle.
Here is the link to the Reading for All Learners Program:
http://www.usu.edu/teach/LittleBooks.htm
Janis
Also wanted to add that I had tried the “Bob Books” prior to the SWRL books and they did NOTHING for Dean.
I originally found the SWRL books while looking for “decodable readers” to go along with Phonographics as I learned from this bulletin board that one of the weaknesses of PG was that it needed more actual reading practice.
Now that I see the power in SWRL I’m wondering if I’m ever going to even give Dean PG instruction. (I’ll keep the PG book for a while just in case)