Teacher Training

The Right Way for the Right People

Whole Brain Synthesizing Phonics

Workshop for Teachers Who Want to Make a Difference in Their Students' Lives

Please print and complete this Registration Form

Course Description

The three-credit graduate course is an introduction to a systematic, brain based, simultaneous, multi-sensory, synthesized approach to phonics. It explains how the brain uses phonics in order to process words and in turn activates comprehension. We will discuss the specific procedures needed in order for your students’ reading and spelling abilities to not only improve but become automatic as well. Teachers will learn the latest research about the brain and how it uses modular storage in the long-term memory to processes the written word. Teachers will learn how to use the procedures through a series of hands-on approaches and discussion times to evaluate how they can best use these approaches in their classrooms. Teachers will also be shown how to use these procedures for all their students in large or small groups. In addition, they will learn how to teach brain-based study skills and how some of the whole language philosophies are combined with the phonics to create a balanced literacy program. Teachers will also receive instruction on the use of spreadsheets in order to track their student’s word fluency and spelling progress.

Course Objectives for Teachers

Understand and apply a set of specific procedures for synthesized phonics using the sound system of the English language.
Increase fluency in the language of phonics.
Examine the brain-based elements that make a difference when someone processes language in order to learn how to read and spell.
Awareness and identification for the characteristics of students needing these types of methods.
Understand the ways in which right-brain learners and left-brain learners differ and be able to accommodate both learning styles.
Be able to use the reading and spelling scripts with large groups, small groups, and individuals.
Provide students with a systematic, multi-sensory, and sequential method of dealing with the use of phonemes to create words.
Incorporate parts of the whole language philosophy with the phonics procedure.
Demonstrate individual and classroom applications of the procedure.
Understand how to apply procedures that allow their students to increase average word fluency 4.9 months per month of instruction.
Devise strategies for educating and involving parents.
Examine beliefs and attitudes regarding learning styles and brain processing.

Course Requirements

Four Days of Instruction at Reading Connections’ offices/Hours 8:00-4:30
An additional eleven hours will be project hours with a student for a total of forty-five hours.
Participants will keep a journal and record all activities and their responses to change in how reading, based on brain research, needs to be taught All reactions pro or con are welcomed. Journal will need to be handed in at the end of the course.
Required readings will include the latest brain research and all reading materials will be provided for the teachers’ use during the four days at Reading Connections Inc.
Eight observations of clients at Reading Connections are required.
Six, half-hour sessions to demonstrate procedures with a trained instructor are required.
Interview two of our clients or their parents and record their reactions (with the parents written permission).
Phonemic awareness/proficient application of the English sound system-determined through observation and a test at the end of the fourth day.
Ability to demonstrate the correct usage of the procedures for reading and spelling through several types of presentations.
Create your own materials for the core courses that you teach.
Develop a plan to use these procedures in your educational setting.
Class presentation of your understanding regarding the brain research and how it applies to reading.
Final exam will be in three parts:

Video of a start up procedure
Video of the procedures being used in your classroom after two weeks or more of initial start up
Video of a presentation to parents to educate them on why you would use these procedures with their children and how they can assist their child at home using specific practice procedures.

Materials Included in Course

Teachers will be able to select a teacher script and one student script for their grade level giving the foundation for the procedures to be used in the classroom. This also includes (for trained instructors only) permission to make copies of the student pages for their own students’ use.
Additional levels of teacher scripts and student pages may be purchased for $187.00 per set but only the student pages may be copied.
Handouts for trained teachers to copy and use in their own classrooms.
Electronic Copies of Student Word Fluency Tracking Spreadsheets and the instruction for use of word fluency tracking spreadsheets.
Word Fluency Testing Materials-one scoring booklet, one packet of 50 sheets to record individual students’ progress, and one testing booklet for student use.
Creation of vocabulary word materials for each teacher to be used with reading, science, social studies, etc.
Certificate of Completion
Agreement for permission to copy student pages for each teacher trained in the procedures by Reading Connections’ personnel.

Materials Needed:

A journal of your choice.
Vocabulary words from your core classes-please call if you are unsure what to bring.
Your lunch/supper and any snacks you wish. We have a refrigerator and microwave available.

Teacher Comments:

"A fresh approach to reading"
"A comprehensive, effective method employing phonics to increase reading skills."
"Something we can finally use with positive results!"
"A great workshop with much useful, important information."
"Materials can be used in the classroom right away. Very useful!"

Open to all educators working full-time in a public or parochial school setting.

Costs per teacher: $1,595.00 (Five-Teacher Minimum to Run a Class)

Terms:

50% down payment when the two-day training is reserved.
Final 50% due prior to the day of the workshop.

Conditions:

Substitutions of teachers allowed any time before start of two-day training.
If less than five teachers are available for the instruction, teachers will be asked to select another class.
Cancellations of an accepted registration may be made up to 10 business days prior to the workshop with full remittance of the fee.
If you so chose, three graduate credits are available through Silver Lake College. Silver Lake College is fully accredited by the North Central Association and is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the preparation of teachers from early childhood through secondary school. The cost of the three credits would be $375.00 (in addition to the $1,595 fee) which would be collected the first day of class. A $35 registration fee will be charged if you have not previously registered with the college.

Upcoming Dates:

[Coming soon]

The classes run from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. This time frame allows observation of our clients as they work on using the procedures.

Possible Accommodations in Green Bay (Not included in package):

Wingate Inn, 2065 Airport Dr. 1-800-228-1000
Luxury Suites, 2815 Ramada Way 1-800-999-4268
Ramada, 2750 Ramada Way 1-800-272-6232
Settle Inn, 2620 S. Packerland Dr, 1-800-688-9052
Howard Johnson Inn, 2580 S. Ashland 1-866-462-4656