Power Tools for Literacy: Accelerated Phonics, Syllables and Morphemes

Power Tools for Literacy - Accelerated Phonics, Syllables and Morphemes:

300 reproducible lessons, 428 pages, 8½ in x 11 in; by Verena C. Rau, MA, RS

Discover a treasure-trove of 300 engaging lessons proven successful for struggling readers, students with learning disabilities or dyslexia, and English learners. Aligned with Orton-Gillingham principles, this program uses an evidence-based approach resulting in rapid improvement in reading, spelling, and vocabulary. Become an expert in teaching phonics, syllable patterns, and morphemes of English, Latin and Greek origins. Each of the 14 chapters is prefaced by a Note to Instructor, which explains every lesson and gives directions for best practices. Teachers all over the country have expressed how thrilled they are with the user-friendly lessons and the progress of their students.

Designed for grades 3 through 12 and adults, Power Tools for Literacy lends itself to individual or group instruction. The appearance of the lessons is appropriate for any age group; material that seems tailored to young children has been avoided. Feedback from teachers indicates that their students find the program challenging and enjoyable.

Power Tools for Literacy develops the ability to analyze and chunk words into predictable segments including phonograms, syllables, base words, prefixes, suffixes, Latin roots, and Greek combining forms. Learning to master and blend these phonetic elements and morphemes enables students to decode short and long words accurately.

Power Tools for Literacy uses a variety of interesting activities to cover the following topics:

· Short and long vowels with consonant blends and digraphs

· R-controlled vowels, diphthongs, and vowel digraphs

· Seven types of syllables

· Rules for dividing polysyllabic words

· Compound words

· Reading, spelling, and defining 50 suffixes

· Spelling rules for adding suffixes to base words

· Vocabulary enrichment by reading, spelling, and defining 50 prefixes

· Accented and unaccented syllables

· Free and bound morphemes

· Latin roots and Greek combining forms

· Weekly spelling lists that incorporate high frequency sight

words

The unique aspect of Power Tools for Literacy is the use of syllable codes. Each type of syllable has a code abbreviation. Using codes reinforces the structure of previously covered phonograms/morphemes and builds in review to achieve automaticity.

Power Tools for Literacy is only one component of an effective reading program. It should be coupled with a literature-based curriculum, accompanied by intensive vocabulary development.

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

"Power Tools for Literacy breaks down an otherwise confusing reading and spelling process into a meaningful, manageable, and completely logical system. The coding component allows my students to recognize word structures, making word analysis automatic. Consequently, my students' reading and spelling functions improve dramatically, confidence levels soar, and overall school performance is elevated. "

Beverly Clayton, Resource Specialist, grades 6 and 8

This is how a former student describes her experience with the program:

"Memorizing words never worked for me because I'm dyslexic. When I entered 6th grade, I was reading at the second-grade level. Ms. Rau's method put forth the English language in a way that made sense to me. When I started high school, I was caught up to grade level and able to succeed in the regular curriculum." Sara H.Jones, Ph.D.

"I like it because the kids like it!"

Jacqui Albano, 6th grade Resource Specialist

"The publication of this program provides much needed materials for students with learning disabilities and English learners. Power Tools has been a great asset to my teaching, is well laid out and user-friendly for both the teacher and the student."

Martha Ritchie, elementary special ed. teacher

"Before this instruction, my son never read for pleasure. Now he reads voraciously!"

Parent of a Seventh Grader

"My class of English learners wanted to do a lesson from Power Tools every day!"

Barbara Dahl, ESL Teacher