SoundWorks Early Literacy Programme by Mary Kibel

PARENTS - please go to our parent website: Dyslexia Teaching Kits

early literacy teaching programme

... for children who are slow to begin to read and write ...

Suitable for 5 to 7 year-olds

Specially written for people who are not trained teachers

Published by:
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Publication date: 2000

Author: Mary Kibel

This programme is currently distributed by the author and can be obtained by clicking sales

SoundWorks provides clear step-by-step instructions for taking children
through the difficult early stages of learning to read and write.

It is ideal for classroom assistants who work with children
either individually or in small groups.

It is also an excellent programme for parents wishing
to help their children at home.

The aim of the programme

SoundWorks is written for children who have difficulty with reading and writing. Children as young as five can make surprisingly good progress if they are given the right kind of help in the early stages of learning to read and write. An early start makes very good sense. It prevents years of frustration and unhappiness at school. It builds self-esteem and (most importantly) saves precious time in the all-important journey towards literacy.

What very young children respond to best is a little-and-often approach - perhaps 15 to 20 minutes a day for 4 or 5 days a week. This can be difficult to provide at school where there are huge demands on the teacher's time. It's also difficult to provide outside school - as it is impractical for private dyslexia tutors to arrange regular 15-minute lessons throughout the week.

We believe that the people most able to help very young children with reading and writing are classroom assistants working in schools and parents helping their children at home. The SoundWorks programme was specially developed to make this possible. The method has been carefully designed so that no previous knowledge or experience is necessary. It can be used by anyone who has the time to help children and is keen to see them learn.

SoundWorks explains everything one needs to know in order to teach reading and writing from the very beginning.

A simple test shows what children find difficult - and where to start teaching.
Each teaching task is set out in clear step-by-step instructions that are extremely easy to follow.
All the teaching materials required are provided in a purpose-made case. There is nothing extra to buy or make.

The background to SoundWorks

The programme was developed in the UK in 1992 and has been thoroughly tested in schools for the past 15 years. The author of SoundWorks, Dr Mary Kibel, has more than 25 years experience as a teacher of dyslexic children and has extensively researched the ideas that lie behind the programme. SoundWorks is fully consistent with the National Literacy Strategy and is currently used in over 1000 schools in the UK. It is particularly suitable for dyslexics and for children with speech and language difficulties.

For class teachers, looking for a comprehensive well-researched programme
suitable for inexperienced classroom assistants, SoundWorks has a great deal to offer.

SoundWorks is also an excellent programme for parents who wish to teach
their children at home - but are not sure how to go about it.

Some of the teaching materials

... and much much more!!

How the programme works

click image to enlarge

At the centre of the programme is the SoundWorks Handbook. This provides step-by-step instructions that explain everything you need to know in order to help children through the difficult early stages of learning to read and write. It is specifically written for people who are not trained teachers.

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In the lessons, children work with practice sheets that come in the book of Copymasters, and also a wide range of teaching materials that come in a purpose-made case.

The programme

The programme is very easy to follow. A simple Test pin-points your child's difficulties and explains where to start teaching. You then follow the course exactly as it is set out. Each teaching task is explained in clear step-by-step instructions, with the things that children are likely to find difficult carefully discussed beforehand. The lessons are accompanied by attractive ready-made teaching materials designed to engage the child's attention. Every item is supplied and there is nothing extra to buy or make.

What do children learn?

SoundWorks starts by teaching the letters and then builds up in small safe steps. If children already know the letters, they join the course part-way through at a point that is right for them (the Unit on Testing explains how to do this). The approach is carefully-structured and phonic, beginning with letter sounds and moving on to 3-letter words, consonant blends, digraphs and suffixes. Children also learn to write sentences, say the alphabet, and use a wide range of everyday words. Throughout the programme, there is clear guidance on when children are ready to move on and when they need more practice before continuing.

Is SoundWorks difficult to use?

We recommend lots of short easy lessons. If you can manage 15 minutes 4 or 5 times a week, that is ideal. Most children enjoy their lessons and find them fun. The teaching materials are brightly coloured, attractive to work with and designed to provide variety and interest. Much of the learning is in the form of games and activities, and as children are constantly moving on to something new, interest is maintained and the feeling of progress is encouraging.

What else does SoundWorks offer?

As well as explaining how to teach, SoundWorks provides useful information on how young children learn. When a new teaching step is introduced, there is a section discussing what children are likely to find difficult and the best way to tackle this. This means that as you work though the programme, you'll gain a good understanding of the way young children learn to read and write - and the reasons for their difficulties.

Lastly, it is important to stress that although SoundWorks is easy to follow, it is by no means second best. You will be learning the method that is currently used by specialist dyslexia teachers, with all the necessary theory and terminology explained. The purpose of SoundWorks is to bring the skills and knowledge of experienced teachers to people who are keen to work with children but are not themselves trained teachers. To ensure success, the author of SoundWorks will be on hand to answer your questions and explain any aspect of the programme that is unclear.

Anyone can work with SoundWorks.

No previous knowledge or teaching experience is necessary.

The materials in the SoundWorks pack

The SoundWorks pack contains the following items:

HANDBOOK
Step-by-step instructions on how to teach the beginning stages of reading and writing, with guidance on how to assess children and pin-point their difficulties.
255 pages

COPYMASTERS
Photocopy masters for use during the programme, including Test Sheets and detailed Check Lists. Users without easy access to a photocopier can print off their copies from the computer.
94 pages

TEACHING CASE
An attractive case of purpose-made teaching materials, providing everything one needs for teaching the SoundWorks programme. Items include wooden letter-blocks, coloured picture cards, reading cards, word-building cards and much more.

HELPLINE and USER PAGE
If any aspect of the programme is unclear, the author of the programme is on hand to explain it to you in greater detail. You will also have access to the SoundWorks User Page which provides additional ideas for games and activities, teaching tips, a Questions & Answers section, and much more.

A note to parents:
It is important to stress that SoundWorks is unlike the many reading and spelling books you see in bookshops. These books give you exercises and activities to do with your child - but they don't tell you how to teach. SoundWorks is a comprehensive teaching system that guides you through the many complex stages in mastering early literacy. With SoundWorks you will learn how to help your child every step of the way ... and when he's stuck you'll know exactly what to do!

The cost of the programme

SOUNDWORKS PACK
Containing - Teaching Case, Handbook & Copymasters

Price - £230

Carriage free in UK

Discounts available for large orders

30-day money back guarantee

If you require more information, please ring 01647 440703 or email your query to us:

Individual items are priced as follows:

SoundWorks Case - £190

Copymasters - £12

We regret that the Handbook is unavailable on its own at the moment.
However, used copies can be obtained from www.yesteryearbooks.co.uk.
They can also be found on Amazon from time to time, often listed under 'Kibble' rather than 'Kibel'.

Further information

CONTENTS SAMPLE UNITS ORDER	A detailed list of the material covered in the programme Examples of step-by-step instructions given in the Handbook How to order SoundWorks
SOUNDWORKS in SCHOOLS	Click here for information on the use of SoundWorks in a school situation, and for details on how SoundWorks can be used as a training course for classroom assistants.
SOUNDWORKS for PARENTS	Click here for guidance on whether the programme is suitable for your particular child, and for suggestions on how SoundWorks is currently used by parents helping their children at home.
HOME EDUCATING	Click here for suggestions on how SoundWorks might be useful for home educators.

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