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ReadingLessons.com

It's taken a while, but the sample lesson for the
reading lessons, that I've told you about in the KIDiddles
newsletter, is ready. In the recent KIDiddles survey 86.5% of
people said they would like to receive reading resources, but most
wanted them separate from KIDiddles.

Please remember that this is a sample lesson. It has been checked
and tried with teachers and parents locally, but now I'd like to
have your feedback.

I've already had some feedback:

"I feel the video is good, but the whole time I just want you to
talk faster w/ more emotion. Don't know how exactly you could
change this, because I believe your accent makes the video seem
too long."

and

"Liked the pace of the speaking. Liked the clear enunciation.
Anxiously awaiting the next installments."

What do you think? Should I hire an actor, without an accent?

Here's what it's all about.

1. I am the co-founder of the successful online program
Reading A-Z, a collection of leveled guided reading books.
Since selling the company almost six years ago, I have been
studying the best methods to teach reading, writing and spelling.
My conclusion is that for most children, synthetic phonics is the
best method. It is vital to maximize the potential of online education,
in the interest of children's literacy and computer skills.
There is so much on offer already, and so much more that can
be developed. With the input of the educational community,
we can create new and more efficient methods.

2. When looking for a good online synthetic phonics program,
I couldn't find one that I could recommend. There are some good
ones from the UK but I was looking for a program to teach American
English. So I decided to produce some lessons myself.

3. The lessons I am producing are for teachers and parents, and
point you to the best free resources on the Internet. Where I could
not find suitable resources, I have arranged to have them produced
especially for these lessons.

4. In cases where it wasn't possible for me to make some of the
resources, I have recommended some from Reading A-Z. However, it is
not necessary to subscribe to Reading A-Z to use the lessons.

5. The lessons begin by covering one phoneme (single sound) per
day, for four days. On the final day of the week, the four phonemes
learned are reviewed and assessed.

6. The sample lesson is for lesson 7, which has resources for
teaching the phoneme /t/.

7. The lesson consists of:

a. an introduction video, which explains how to use the resources

b. online lesson plans, to use online

c. downloadable lesson plans, to use on your own computer

d. printable lesson plans, to use in the classroom

e. links to all the resources you need--websites and printables.

8. Synthetic phonics is systematic, which means that the lessons
must be done in order and be completed before moving on to the next
lesson. Each lesson builds on what has been learned in the previous
lessons.

9. All the lesson will be free. All I ask is that you provide
feedback, so that these will be the best lessons for teaching
reading, writing and spelling that can be found on the Internet.

10. Please complete the survey after you have been through the
sample lesson so that I can incorporate your suggestions for
improvement into the final product.

Many Thanks.

Here's the link to the sample page:
http://www.readinglessons.com

Francis Morgan