Tutoring Sydney - Spalding Method, Adult Reading

As literacy educators, we are always aiming to remove the mystery and misconception that the English language is very difficult to learn because its rules are so full of exceptions.

With the Keys to Reading programme, by the time the student realises that there are inconsistencies, they hopefully have such a strong grasp of the rules that they can deal with the exceptions. This is the world of “KEYS TO READING”!!

What is KEYS TO READING and who is it for?

In a nutshell, “Keys to Reading” is an English literacy program for teachers from which to teach and students from which to learn. It consists of workbooks and handbooks, all carefully designed to make step-by-step crystal clear sense of the most basic elements of English literacy.

The KEYS TO READING Programme is a reading/writing programme for children or adults. It unlocks the rules and patterns that are found in the basics of the English language, and in the very act of unlocking these basics, helps students to perfect several aspects of English literacy. Simultaneously, it is a teaching guide and a learning guide, a set of clearly directed and fun exercises, all designed to walk students through the learning process required to learn how English words work.

How is KEYS TO READING structured?

The main focal points of this program are sounds, rules, syllabification, patterns and grammar. Contained within these focal points are reading, writing and comprehension activities. A cornerstone of this programme is “linking” – linking reading to writing and linking writing to reading. This linking drives this program in a powerful way, assisting its students in every step towards learning the strategies that will equip them in the acquisition of literacy skills from the most basic level and onwards. The program quite literally links one step to the next, aiming to build on previous points as it goes along. Incidental revision continues throughout the units, and the writers have remained very particular about remaining within the boundaries of what has already been taught/learned so that the student gains confidence and strength to later accept variations and later on, exceptions to the rules.

Why is this program called “KEYS TO READING”?

The concept behind KEYS TO READING is that each key (or chapter) contains a series of secrets that opens up a door on the adventurous journey into the world of English reading and writing. All chapters contain fun rhymes, readings and ways of learning the secrets that help students in unlocking one mystery to the next. Once all 15 keys have been learned, the world of reading and writing will have become a universe of real possibilities.

How is Keys delivered?

Students learn a step at a time through very carefully sequenced learning steps designed to make perfect sense to the student (and incidentally, designed to guide the teacher as well!)

The premise upon which this program is built, is that teaching every aspect of English spelling rules at the outset overwhelms the students and makes the learning of the rules difficult because most rules do have exceptions.

Knowing this, this program focuses on moving through and mastering little steps at a time forming a large picture at the end with a strong base from which the student can spring from strength to strength.

How are the lessons structured?

Each section of this program is a lesson in itself. Each of 16 chapters contains several lessons, one building on the one preceding it and leading the student straight onto the next step of the way.

On what foundation is the program built?

The scope and sequence of KEYS TO READING runs parallel to what is contained in the reading levels books of the NSW Department of Education. KEYS TO READING has been trialled for over 6 years and used with thousands of students with a range of learning speeds and aptitudes in different learning centres throughout Sydney. The outcomes have not only been very measurable but enthusiastically received with extremely encouraging outcomes.

How is progress measured?

Progress is measured by standardised testing before ,after and during course delivery, and there are many points throughout the text in which reviewing takes place.

What are the basic elements of the program?

There are 5 components to the KEYS TO READING program. They are as follows:

1. Reading and Understanding

Here sound reading strategies are provided to help students read at an appropriate level. Teachers record missed words or errors to address later.

2. Writing and Comprehension

After the student reads they retell the story verbally. The teacher scribes the summation. The student then writes this as a guided writing lesson. Focus here is also on consistent tenses, grammar and punctuation and the ability to recount a story. Because this is the student’s own recount, it gives non-writers confidence as they soon realise that what they say is what they can write.

3. Keys To Reading Programme

This is a program about how English words work. It goes from Key 0 (for non readers and writers) to Key 15. It deals with spelling rules and phonograms from the simple to the more complex. There are support documents for practice and explanations of the rules for each key.

4. Syllabification

Part A is the reading and spelling of 2 or more beat words. There are 4 main sections to accomplish this. Part B is the Core Word Spelling list as per the NSW Department of Education.

5. Comprehension/Inference

As language is extremely inferential, a student first needs to:

i. Understand the concept of inference

ii. Identify the inferences from the text

iii. Explain the inferences both verbally and in the written form.

Considering higher bands of Naplan, School Certificate and Higher School Certificate require a high level of inferred meaning, this becomes a very important comprehension skill.

Writing. Focus is on note taking and how to identify the main idea and create notes. Also, a range of text types as taught, particularly report writing.