Allographs* Allographs is a revolutionary spelling program based on new discoveries about the structure of the English writing system. Research by the author has revealed that about 90% of words in print are represented by 176 spellings. When these spellings are taught in an orderly way, consistent with the logic of an alphabet code, students of any age can learn to read and spell with relative ease. Allographs lessons are partially scripted and no special training is required to teach this program. Lessons are designed to work for all ages and in any setting ranging from home tutoring to the classroom. Lessons are set out in two programs. Allographs I teaches spellings for common English words up to 3 syllables long. It is designed for students with a reading/spelling age of 7 to 8 years who have some knowledge of basic phonics. Allographs I consists of a Teacher Manual, a Spelling Dictionary with 3,000 words, and a Workbook/Storybook. Allographs II focuses on multi-syllable words and the Latin layer of the spelling code. It is suitable for students with a reading/spelling age of 8 years or higher. Allographs II consists of a Teacher Manual and a student Workbook/Dictionary containing over 3,000 words. NOTE: Allographs uses the spelling standard for U.S. and Canada. A supplement containing UK spellings is provided in the Teacher Manual. *Allographs: “All the written symbols (spelling patterns) to mark each sound in a language.”

English is a compounding language in which root words are modified (changed in meaning) by adding prefixes and suffixes. The rules of the spelling game change at this level, and attention shifts to the syllable unit and spellings for prefixes and suffixes. This new knowledge makes a profound difference in reading and spelling skills and dramatically enhances reading comprehension and vocabulary. Lessons begin with simple compounding of common English words (doghouse, sunset) and gradually build to include Latin and Greek-based words up to six syllables in length. For example, “inform” (a verb) can be changed to a noun by adding the suffix “shun,” spelled “tion,” a suffix used in thousands of words. It has three common spellings: information, aggression, optician, and four rare ones. Once the student learns when these spellings are used (ÔcianÕ always marks an occupation), difficult words suddenly become easy to read and spell. Long, “scary” words like “determination” can be broken down to easily decodable units: de/ter/min/a/tion. Once these patterns are understood, students as young as eight years can learn to read and spell thousands of new words in a just a few lessons. Allographs II Manual contains fifty-nine partially scripted lessons. Sample lessons for the higher levels of the code provide a platform for continuing development using the Student Workbook/Dictionary. Both components are essential to teach this program effectively.

Allographs(TM) II is a fundamental breakthrough in understanding the logic of the advanced spelling code. It teaches the spelling patterns used in multi-syllable words in 59 partially scripted lessons.

The Sound Steps to Reading Storybook contains the full text of the story fragment that begins each lesson. These stories should be read by the parent or teacher later on the same day after the lesson has been completed. Each story features the target sound (phoneme) for that lesson. The stories are humorous and written in rhyme. Trials in the U.S. and the U.K showed that children love them. Many children can begin reading these stories on their own (with a little help) about midway through the program. This is highly motivating. By the end of the program all children can read these stories with ease. The stories will work well with any synthetic phonics program that teaches the spelling alternatives for the sounds in English. Sound Steps to Reading is based on the author’s analysis of the English writing system, one of the most complex writing systems in the world. Mastering this complexity is solved by careful sequencing of the lessons so the child is never confronted with something he cannot do. Every lesson is scripted and no training is necessary to use this program. Lessons contain the same activities in the same order: 1) listening for the target sound in a story 2) a structured listening exercise 3) handwriting training and practice 4) segmenting and blending sounds in real words (reading) 5) copying words 6) spelling dictation 7) reading stories written with words/spellings taught so far. Lessons are cumulative. Each lesson builds on the previous lesson and only contains words with the sounds and spellings the child has been taught. When lessons proceed at the recommended pace of 3 lessons per week, most children become excellent readers, writers, and spellers in about 20-25 weeks. For classroom teachers, lessons will take about one school year. It is advised that the later lessons (last set) be reviewed at the start of first grade. Research results. A study on two kindergarten classrooms was carried out at the Willows School In Los Angeles. Most children could not read at the start of school. When they were tested at the end of the year, 42% scored in the top 1% in the nation, and 75% scored in the top 10%, based on test norms. All but one child scored well above “average.” There are two components to this program. The complete program must include both books. • The Sound Steps to Reading Handbook contains all lessons, all exercises and worksheets. • The Sound Steps to Reading Storybook contains the full text of the story fragment that begins each lesson.

A neuropsychologist shows how outmoded methods for teaching reading have resulted in plummeting literacy levels and offers a new program.

The student workbook provides exercises and a special dictionary to teach how syllables are compounded in multisyllable words, as well as the spelling patterns used in a variety of prefixes and suffixes. Over three thousand multisyllable words are included in the lessons.

The Routledge International Handbook of Dyslexia in Education showcases the various examples, expertise, and successful initiatives attempted to include students with dyslexia around the globe. It highlights progress and identifies gaps for growth globally to stand united against dyslexia as a literacy problem and a specific learning disability challenge. Taking a truly global view, each chapter from world-leading experts highlights issues related to the definition of dyslexia and how it is recognised locally, its implications on relevant legislations and educational policy and how teacher training programs on dyslexia are delivered at both pre-service and in-service levels. Contributors to this handbook also discuss and compare the services and tools available to identify individuals with dyslexia, such as nationally standardized tests and tools for dyslexia assessment. Students, researchers, teachers and other educational professionals who require highly relevant, research-informed guidance on dyslexia and its awareness, identification, training, outreach, and intervention around the globe will find this handbook an essential and timely resource. Readers will also be able to identify shared experiences and good lessons from around the world, as well as learn about better strategies to guide their journey in their own local community.