This is an innovative set of books, specially designed for beginning readers with limited comprehension skills. This applies to many different groups of people, such as young children who have mastered decoding skills, but cannot follow a complicated plot line. Also, children with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders will benefit from these books. The books show familiar situations with which children can identify. Simple stories help the readers to improve their ability to follow a sequence of events. Uncluttered photographs of familiar objects and actions help the reader to focus on the subject matter in the text.
Many early readers have learned to sound out words phonetically, but the complicated rules of the English language can frustrate even the most precocious child. Therefore, each book deals with one aspect of reading, progressively becoming more advanced. The first book, ZAK THE CAT, deals with only one syllable, short vowel words that contain no blends. (Three exceptions in the book are the words "the", "to", and "this", three common sight words.) Other books deal with specific rules of reading , such as long vowels, blends, silent letters, and multiple syllable words. Many of the words follow the example of the Dolch Basic Word List. Punctuation will be kept to a minimum, starting with periods only, and progressing to question marks and exclamation points.
These books will be very appealing to today's progressive parents who take an active role in their children's educational development. They will also be a breakthrough for special education teachers and speech therapists, who may be teaching students to read, and find traditional primers too advanced in subject matter. In either case, parents and educators will find a low frustration level when dealing with plot explanation and reading rules.
The book will be a board book, with large colorful photographs. Large manuscript letters will be printed on a white background for clarity. Each book will contain an introduction and explanation of the purpose of the series inside the front cover. Inside the back cover, there will be "Teaching Tips" to explain what reading rule is being explored, and ways to present this to the young reader.
These books differ from other children's books, in that they could be targeted not only to the general public, but to schools and private therapists to help teach reading and comprehension to all types of readers. They will illustrate simple, familiar and concrete subject matter for younger or learning disabled readers. They will introduce reading in progressive levels of advancement. All this together equals a child whose self-esteem is heightened by the knowledge that he/she has begun to master one of the most important elements in our society today - reading.
To begin reading, a person must understand that the letters of the alphabet represent sounds. Some readers are able to decode, or sound out, words, even though they may not comprehend the meaning of that word. The Early Reader Series is made for that person, who is ready to read on a very simple comprehension level. The stories show familiar actions, and use a simple sequence of events. This will help your reader gain confidence in decoding words, and help in understanding a story-line.
To help your reader begin to memorize letter sounds, you may want to use flash cards, or tactile letters he can actually hold. Use a phrase such as, "The B says 'buh'", while your reader watches your mouth. For vowels, a phrase such as, "The A makes two sounds. Sometimes it says 'a', and other times it says 'aah'", making the long and short vowel sounds yourself. Use the same method for describing hard and soft consonants. Let your reader know there are certain clues to help him know which sound is needed. More difficult words can be taught later, as exceptions. Certain words that are very common are called sight words, and should be memorized early in the reading process.
This book, "ZAK THE CAT", uses only one syllable, short vowel words. Three sight words in the book are: 'this', 'the', and 'to'.
Most readers can relate to this story, however, you can explain the actions so your reader will understand. For instance, your reader may not be familiar with a park. Explain that it is like your backyard, or a playground. Explain that 'pal' is another word for friend. Talk about the actions of the characters, and ask questions after reading each page. "Why do you think they want to go to the park?" (They want to play.) "Why are they resting?" (They are tired from playing.) This will expand your readers' vocabulary, and understanding of the story.
Other books in the Early Reader Series explore long vowels, letter blends, and silent letters. The books are numbered according to levels of difficulty, and each one builds on the skill learned in the previous book.
ZAK THE CAT
This is Zak the Cat
Zak has a pal. His pal is Jon the Dog
Zak the Cat and Jon the Dog will walk in the park.
Zak and Jon roll a big ball. It is fun to roll the ball.
Zak and Jon run in the park.
The sun is warm. It is fun to run fast in the warm sun.
Zak the Cat and Jon the Dog sit and rest on the grass.
Zak and Jon had a lot of fun in the park.
Zak is glad Jon is his pal.
©1995 by Jill Lyon
All rights reserved. No part of the contents herein may be reproduced
in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.
For more information on this book contact Tom Burkhardt by email -
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