PHONICS TALK NEWSLETTER - Volume 10 - April 2004 - by Dolores G. Hiskes, DORBOOKS, Inc.
A SIMPLE FOOLPROOF RECIPE FOR READING

The feature article in this issue is a very lighthearted
*recipe for reading* which I will also hand out at
the CHEA Convention this weekend in the Santa
Clara Convention Center in my Saturday workshop.
It is illustrated in the form of cake layers, with lovely
flowers on top, and is purely and simply just for fun!

(1) FEATURE ARTICLE:
A SIMPLE FOOLPROOF RECIPE FOR READING

(2) BREAKING NEWS

(3) WORKSHOP DETAILS

(4) KIDSTUFF

(5) A SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL!

(6) COMING SOON

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(1) A SIMPLE FOOLPROOF RECIPE FOR READING

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1--Listen carefully to all of the component ingredients.

2--Add short-vowel sounds one at a time, spiced liberally
with pictures. Mix until clear.

3--Drop consonants into vowel sounds one at a time until
well-blended.

4--Combine syllables into words until smooth.

5--Mix words, slowly adding one at a time until completely
absorbed.

6--Gradually fold dry ingredients (spelling) into mixture
until completely absorbed.

7--Simmer with decodable practice until reading is thoroughly
digested!

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(2) BREAKING NEWS

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After using Phonics Pathways for only 4 months, Pam Barrett
of Tovashal Elementary School in Murrietta, CA had her entire
first-grade class get up on the stage and read selections from
William Bennett's *Book of Virtues* to the proud parents and
teachers in the audience.

This year, after seeing these rather spectacular results, all
of the kindergarten teachers at this school have used it as
well.

I have recently learned that all of these kindergarteners
are not only reading three-letter words, but a few of them
have actually finished the entire book! Details on all of this
will be forthcoming in a future newsletter.

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(3) KIDSTUFF

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Two little sisters had constructed their Dewey-the-Bookworm
bookmark (it comes with WordWorks), and for a crowning
touch pasted on *googly-eyes,* those flat moveable eyes
that are sold in craft stores.

The eyes fell off the youngest child's Dewey, and there was
a thin layer of hardened glue over Dewey's eyes. Rather
than being upset, she philosophized *It's ok Mom--he's got
contact lenses now!*

To some lucky people in life the glass will always be half-full,
not half-empty!

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(4) A SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL!

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We are in the process of cleaning out our garage--no small
task, as we are all packrats and have lived in the same house
since 1962.

We are amazed at what we are finding! Not only my mother's
wedding dress, my aunt's Ziegfeld Follies memorablia, my
husband's old love letters to me, etc., but several boxes of
the older edition of Pyramid that I thought I was completely
out of!

So, for the time being, we are happy to repeat our pre-Christmas
special of selling these books for $10, along with a purchase of
any other Dorbook product.

This offer will continue until further notice.

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(5) WORKSHOP DETAILS

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This weekend CHEA is holding its annual northern California
convention at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Dorbooks
will be exhibiting, and I am giving a workshop Saturday at
3:15 in room 207. The title of this presentation is *Phonics:
How To Choose It, When To Use It.*

It's a good chance to see all of our products first-hand (try
before you buy!) and ask questions--we will be there Friday
evening and all day Saturday.

I will be giving one set of Dorbooks away free with every
purchase of a Dorbook product--at least while they last!
These little books are in a story/workbook comic-book format,
and are perfect for young children. It's a warm and user-
friendly way for the very youngest child to begin the process
of learning how to read.

(Among the vast paraphernalia of *things* we found in our
garage were several boxes of these little Dorbooks, the set
of little beginning phonics books I wrote almost 20 years ago.
After writing Phonics Pathways I felt they were no longer
needed, but they had developed a fiercely-loyal group of
tiny fans who enjoyed them while they were available.)

Hope to see you there!

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(6) COMING SOON

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More and more teachers are using Phonics Pathways and
Pyramid as a supplement to help meet the sometimes-difficult
challenges of complying with the Reading First Program, which
grants extra funds to schools meeting these guidelines. Details
and a step-by-step analysis will be forthcoming.

For now, enjoy the lovely spring weather until we meet again.
As always, please feel free to call (925) 449-6983 or write
(dor@dorbooks.com) with any questions or comments!

Best regards to all of you,

Dolores

© Dolores G. Hiskes 4-04
Reprinted by permissionContact us at dor@dorbooks.com, or by phone (925) 449-6983.