Project Read

 

Project Read is a phonetic based program that's designed to be used in small group instruction.  Components of the program can be used in the regular classroom as well.  The underlying belief is that all children can learn to read if they are taught in the way that he/she learns best.  Therefore, Project Read's principles of systematic learning, direct teaching, and multisensory strategies reach the alternative instructional needs of many students. 

 

Multisensory Approach

-The program uses visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile (touch) methods simultaneously to enhance memory and learning.  Links are consistently made between the visual (sight), auditory (sound), and kinesthetic-tactile (movement and touch) pathways in learning to read and spell.  Students will link the written symbol with the sound of the letter and how it feels to form it.

-The kinesthetic/tactile reinforcement can correct the tendency of reversing letters and transposing the sequence of letters while reading and writing. 

-Children are actively participating at all times.

 

Structure and Systematizing the Curriculum

-Each skill is broken down to its simplest component.  Then, through a very structured approach and a lot of repetition, skills are built and linked together using prior concepts learned.  The student sees the parts that make the whole for better understanding of how phonics works and how to use it in reading and spelling.

-Research shows that children learn best from logical, success-oriented, sequential instruction.

 

Direct Teaching of Concepts

-The discovery method is used in much of classroom teaching.  It is effective for some students and in some subjects, but others respond more effectively to direct concept teaching.  Children who have had difficulty learning to read have more success through the direct approach.