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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Many people have asked me why I think my program is better than others. The answer is, I don't! There are many excellent phonics programs available today.
Originally I was going to dedicate this newsletter to simply highlighting how Phonics Pathways is different from, not better than, others so that people can make informed choices.
However, several items have come to my attention about people who are making a real difference in their communities in a variety of endeavors, and so this issue is dedicated to just that: people who are making a real difference!
I'll save what I originally was going to say for another day.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: New Tutoring Program
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Supporting Our Loved Ones
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: New Decodable Readers
CHUCKLE FOR THE DAY
STRANGE COINCIDENCES
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: New Tutoring Program
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Rebecca Faherty has single-handedly begun a tutoring
program in her nearby school, which is spectacularly
successful and growing fast. It is now in its second year,
and I asked Becky if she would write a summary for
Phonics Talk. Her statement follows:
*Kids Read* offers free tutoring services to struggling
or non-reading second graders in the public school.
We are in our second year at Stedwick Elementary School
in Montgomery Village, Maryland, and are committed that all
second graders read at grade level by the end of the year.
*We have found that using explicit phonics for both English
speaking and ESL students is the best route to achieving
confidence and independence in reading. Phonics Pathways
by Dolores Hiskes is our most powerful tool to making this
happen. Statistics show that using Phonics Pathways our
children are coming from non-reading to the second grade
in anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. The scores are rising,
the kids are reading, and they are loving it! We also offer a
free summer program for 6 weeks, and last summer out of
14 students 6 kids came up 2 grade levels.
*We are in our second year. Formal statistics are currently
being assembled, but informally we have been very successful.
Most of the the children we work with are non readers, and
usually within 6 weeks they have come up one and sometimes
two grade levels. They stay in our program for the whole year,
coming twice a week for 1.25 hrs.
*Our goal is to reach all of the second graders in our school,
and as we get Stedwick situated with tutors then we will move
on to another school in our area. We would eventually like to
get our program in all public schools nationwide as a model for
literacy, and to emphasize the importance phonics as a necessary
and simple method for teaching reading.
Rebecca Faherty*
Hats off to you Becky, for making such a tremendous difference
in these students' lives!
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Supporting Our Loved Ones
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No matter what we think about the war, all of us are united
in wanting to support our dedicated sons and daughters who
are overseas in harms way, doing their very best to keep us
safe. Many receive continuous mail from loving relatives which
is always warmly received, but unfortunately some of these
young men and women have not received any mail at all.
Operation Sam has stepped in to fill this gap, and they mail
about 350-400 boxes of food, letters, etc. every month.
Best of all, when they hear about someone not receiving mail
this person's name goes on the top of the list, and they
get the next box out.
Most of all they love getting mail from kids! Here are examples:
<http://www.operationwecare-acadiana.com/galleries/view_album.php?set_albumNa
me=Kids-Letters>Operation
We Care - Acadiana: Photo and Letter Gallery ::
Kids Letters to Troops (2004-2005)
As you can see, some are carefully written, others just a quick
sketch. As you can also see by the view count, all are heartfelt,
loved and deeply appreciated by the receivers. Very touching
and heartwarming! (Warning: Have a box of kleenex handy.)
For more information on this project see
<http://www.operationsam.org>
Letters/cards, written to *Any Soldier* should be addressed to:
Leslie Lippert
c/o Operation: S.A.M.
PO Box 2992
Livermore, CA 94551
They can be cards, notes, pictures or letters--in unsealed
envelopes, please! (They all must be read and *approved*
before they are sent out.)
Just think of what a wonderful class project this would be--
especially with Memorial Day just around the corner!
Kudos and hugs to you Leslie, and to everyone working so
tirelessly to support our loved ones overseas!
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: New Decodable Readers
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As many of you know, I'm a great believer in using progressive
and decodable readers when learning how to read. A list of
a number of excellent systematic readers I recommend is at
http://www.dorbooks.com/resources.html
The new 2006 version of Power Readers is available now. In this
revision, each book is consumable and interactive. There are 28
interrelated decodable books in the series. With the exception
of beginning blends, the series follows the Phonics Pathways
sequence up through the -ing suffix. Take a peek at
http://www.readingway.com, click on *Power Readers,* and
enjoy viewing sample pages as well as tips from the author.
Great job, Susan -- keep up the good work!
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CHUCKLE FOR THE DAY
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*Blessed is he who taketh himself seriously, for he shall
provide much amusement!*
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STRANGE COINCIDENCES
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Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Lincoln's Secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oseald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by Ford.
Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin hid in a theater.
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland.
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
.....and last of all, both assassins were assassinated themselves
before their trials could be held.
Strange, indeed...
(from www.knowledgenews.net, used by permission)
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We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter, and that you will feel
free to share it with anyone you think might be interested. In the
meantime, have a nice Memorial Day!
...and remember, to avoid that run-down feeling--DRIVE CAREFULLY!!
Cheers,
Dolores
©2006 Dolores G. Hiskes
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