Volume 2, Issue 1
Those of you who have been using our software since the mid 80’s have seen quite a change in the Reading Horizons program. The evolution of Reading Horizons from our original offering, which integrated a cassette player with the computer, to its current state is evidence of the dramatic change in computer capability. All software has become more user friendly as computers and operating systems have increased in processing capability and ease of use. Although the method of delivery has been altered the basis of Reading Horizons, the underlying thread that makes it so effective i.e. the Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself reading system, has remained constant. The skills that we teach and the sequence in which we teach them have not changed nor will they ever. We are, however, constantly working on improving our ability to effectively convey those skills via computer instruction. Hence, for those of you that have anxiously been awaiting the release of Reading Horizons Version 2.0 for Windows, we are pleased to announce that it should be ready to ship no later than mid June.
The following is a list of updates that have been made in Version 2.0:
Please note, Version 2.0 of our Elementary software program will be ready for distribution by summers end. Current users who are interested in Version 2.0 should call 800-333-0054 for upgrade pricing.
Charlotte Lockhart is a dynamic teacher, still tutoring students 25 years after her retirement. Ms. Lockhart spent 28 years as a school teacher and administrator. As principal of an elementary school, she worked closely with children in danger of failing because they could not read. Ms. Lockhart tutored these students daily, and revealed to them that letters and words were magic. Soon, the children were working eagerly at the chalkboard, learning how sounds and words are put together. All the students achieved success – they learned to read and spell under her guidance!
In 1972, Ms. Lockhart retired and began to share her successful methods of teaching spelling and reading with teachers, parents, administrators and students. After a long career in education and working as a reading consultant, Ms. Lockhart wrote the Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself System. Now, thousands of schools across the country use the system to successfully teach spelling and reading.
The Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself approach provides an opportunity for students to work at their own level and at their own pace. Work can be individualized or accomplished in small or large groups. Classroom instruction is presented using a direct instruction, multi-sensory methodology, which respects individual learning styles. The program is augmented with optional, interactive computer courseware, which provides an additional avenue for student interaction.
Discover Intensive Phonics is a must for students suffering from dyslexia and/or learning disabilities. The more severe the problem, the more necessary it is to use explicit, sequential intensive phonics instruction. The phonetic elements are taught in a logical order, simple to complex. The sound/symbol unit is then read and spelled in words; those words, in turn, are couched in sentences; and the sentences, in turn, are placed in simple stories.
The unique marking system utilized in the Discover Intensive Phonics approach and the multi-sensory instructional techniques employed have proven to be extremely effective for students who suffer from dyslexia. Current research reveals that intensive phonics training and phonics-based computer reading programs can actually rewire crucial neural circuitry in students who have trouble learning to read.
Two-day Certification sessions in the Discover Intensive Phonics approach to reading are held quarterly in Salt Lake City at the headquarters of Reading Horizons/HEC Software, Inc. The purpose of certification is to prepare teachers who are already experienced in the approach with the additional skills necessary to train other teachers. Only certified trainers should conduct teacher in-service sessions.
The Certification session takes two full days. The first day is devoted to examination of the method in detail. The second day, candidates are asked to instruct two or three previously assigned portions of the course to demonstrate their ability to present the concepts with understanding and clarity.
Sessions are limited to six applicants.
Reading Horizons offers a one-day teacher in-service. The Discover Intensive Phonics Workshop I is essential for all educators who teach the Intensive Phonics method. This workshop is geared toward helping teachers in the classroom setting, as well as individual tutoring. In a seven-hour presentation, teachers will not only learn the method, they will experience it for themselves.
Along with covering the initial material of working with the letter names, sounds and formation, the critical concept of "sliding" the consonant sound with each vowel is taught. Word formation with vowel identification is covered, followed by the use of blends, basic spelling tips for early readers and the explanation of "long" and "short" vowels.
The five Phonetic Skills are taught, explained, and practiced with teachers at the boards, as well as all of the concepts as they are taught. Teachers will enjoy the chance to try out each concept as if they were the student. The workshop continues to teach about the murmur diphthongs, digraphs, special vowel sounds, and the many jobs of 'gh' and 'y'. The two Decoding Skills round out the day along with working with suffixes, the schwa sound, and special vowel combinations.
For those of you who use the software program, time can be allotted to address your specific questions and concerns.
For a workshop to be properly conducted, all the location needs is plenty of wall space or boards, tables and chairs. We provide the rest. For more information, call Reading Horizons at 800-333-0054.
— Contributed by Celia Smith National Trainer for Discover Intensive Phonics
It has come to our attention recently that many of our software users could benefit from the use of the “Wall Size Posters” that accompany our chalkboard materials. There are two posters, one covers the 42 Sounds of the Alphabet and the other shows all of the Blends that are taught in the program. They are each approximately two feet high and three feet wide. We would be delighted to make them available to any and all of our software users. Anyone interested in ordering a set can do so by contacting us at 800-333-0054. The retail cost is $20 per set. Mention this article and receive a $5 discount.
We were introduced to the Reading Horizons Phonics Program through Brian Brown, lead teacher of the Skagit County Juvenile Detention Center Education Program. We have had great success using the program with many of the youth in our open entry/exit program who are struggling readers. A notable example is of a 14-year-old student who tested at the third grade level. After using the program intermittently, and completing the 30 lessons, this student was able to decode at a high school level. After completing the program, his comprehension increased remarkably, as did his self-esteem. When asked at an IEP meeting what his favorite subject was, he replied, “reading!”
— Contributed by Heidi Schuler, Jennifer Lamp, and Ro Donelson. (All teachers from Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center Education Program)
We have been utilizing the Intensive Phonics program here in Indian Springs District 109 for the past two years. The program has been used for both regular and special education students. It has shown to be especially beneficial to students for whom traditional phonetic approaches to reading have been unsuccessful. Our teachers and students are highly motivated by the program and students have shown noticeable improvement in their reading scores.
Sincerely, Dr. Arvid E. Nelson Superintendent
CALI’s Place is a library literacy program that helps adults improve basic reading, writing, math, and life skills using computer software and one-on-one tutoring. We assist adults at various skill levels, from those just learning the alphabet to persons preparing to take the GED.
Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself has been an invaluable tool. It has helped our beginning readers learn the letters of the alphabet, including their formation and sounds. Intermediate readers gain a systematic method of tackling pronunciation and improving word attack skills. Advanced readers benefit from the review of phonetic rules, word division, and linguistic concepts (blends, digraphs, diphthongs, etc.). It has also helped ESL students with accent reduction.
The interactive approach, combining visual, auditory, and tactile-kinesthetic components, addresses persons of all learning styles. The practice sets reinforce the concepts learned, and help train the “ear” along with the “eye.”
I consider Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself an excellent investment, and an integral component of our literacy program.
Sincerely, Paula Johnson Williams Literacy Specialist