We Provide Reading Instruction That Works
Students with dyslexia require a structured literacy approach based on the science of reading. The elements of structured literacy include phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax and semantics. These elements are taught with multisensory, systematic, cumulative, direct, explicit and diagnostic instruction. This means students are taught each of the essential skills for reading and spelling, building upon each previously learned skill at a pace appropriate for each individual student. Students receive instruction tailored to the way in which they learn. The Orton-Gillingham method of instruction is a structured literacy approach that was developed in the 1930’s by Dr. Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham. We offer two Orton-Gillingham influenced programs: Wilson Language Training and the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Because all students can benefit from structured literacy, a diagnosis of dyslexia is not necessary for a struggling student to enroll in our intervention programs.
Wilson Language Training
The Wilson Reading System is an instructional program for struggling readers, based on the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction. The program addresses both decoding and encoding (spelling). A certified Wilson instructor, utilizing visual, kinesthetic, auditory and tactile multisensory techniques, teaches students. They learn: letter sound recognition, syllable formation and the structure of the English language.
The entire program consists of 12 separate steps, following a sequential order, building upon the previous step. Each step addresses a particular concept, breaking it down into smaller segments or sub-steps. Students master each sub-step before moving forward to the next step. Every tutoring session is planned individually, following the structure and guidelines of the program, while focusing on the individual student needs. Sessions adhere to a structured format, addressing ten skill areas including, sound letter recognition, word and sentence reading, along with spelling and sentence writing.
Barton Reading & Spelling System
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is an Orton-Gillingham influenced, multi-sensory, direct, explicit, structured and sequential program designed for intense intervention. The system is research and evidence based, and approved by the California, Colorado, and Arkansas Boards of Education. The program meets all requirements of No Child Left Behind and supports the Common Core. The Barton System will improve the spelling, reading, and writing skills of any student you know or suspect has dyslexia.
The Barton System consists of ten sequential levels beginning with phonemic awareness, and progressing through consonants and short vowels, closed and unit syllables, multi-syllable words and vowel teams, prefixes and suffixes, six reasons for silent-E, vowel-R‘s, advanced vowel teams, the influence of foreign languages, and finally ending with Latin Roots and Greek combining forms. All Barton lessons provide a quick overview of the prior lesson, a phonemic awareness warm-up, the introduction of new skills and/or rules with tiles, and practice using those new skills with tiles. The lesson then moves to reading and spelling on paper at the word, phrase and sentence levels. Beginning with Level 3, each lesson includes two decodable stories to allow the students to practice fluency and comprehension. Levels 3-10 also provide multisensory strategies for reading and spelling irregular sight words.
The Barton System also offers a remote tutoring option for those students who are away for an extended period, or who simply live too far away to meet in person. All Barton materials are made available with the Whizzimo platform and are shared with the student using Zoom. The same multisensory learning used during in person instruction, also occurs through shared remote control of the screen. Students also benefit from a variety of online supplemental materials correlated directly to their Barton lessons.
