To the teacher:

I wrote this book to help students learn how to use their senses to "make sense of" reading, spelling, and writing American English words. It will accompany any text.

This efficient, systematic, multi-sensory decoding method allows the student to use her/his stronger sense(s), while he/she is learning, practicing, and developing her/his weaker sense(s). The method empowers the student, as he/she learns how to mark the letters in words, in order to make multi-sensory "sound sense." The student gains a strong knowledge base in phonics, and her/his confidence and enjoyment of the written word increase.

Then, as decoding skills improve, the student is able to focus his/her concentration on comprehension of the written words. In my 13- year career as a special education teacher, I have seen this method help many students become better readers and writers. I hope it will help many more!

Please note:

This book is meant to provide a guide for a multi-sensory decoding program. For some vowel-consonant sound patterns, I have used simple pronunciation marks, which show approximate sounds. I have attempted to include an example for each sound pattern, using high-frequency words as much as possible. I encourage you to modify it wherever you feel you should.

Also, you may need to show your student(s) how to decode some or all of the example words for the vowel sound patterns. Individual reading ability will dictate this. Use decoding steps 1- 27 with any example word. And, depending on the degree of intervention needed for each individual student, you will find that you will need to modify and omit steps. You should also emphasize the strong sense(s) of each individual, while teaching the others. Success, at all times, should be the plan.

Have fun "playing around with words" !

Wishing you and your students much success,

Anita

CONTENTS

Forward

Decoding Directions

Example Words for "a" Vowel Sound Patterns

Exception Words

Example Words for "e" Vowel Sound Patterns

Exception Words

Example Words for / ĕ /, and Related Sounds

Example Words for "i" Vowel Sound Patterns

Exception Words

Example Words for / ĭ /, and Related Sounds

Example Words for "o" Vowel Sound Patterns

Exception Words

Example Words for / ŏ /, and Related Sounds

eigh /

w e i g h

e i g h eigh /

The man weighs 180 pounds.