Publisher: International Learning Systems
Developed by Sue Dickson
To order, call (800) 321-8322

This product is included in our Phonics Products for Home and Phonics Products for School lists.

International Learning Systems has two excellent phonics programs: Sing, Spell, Read, and Write for young learners and Winning for older students. Both programs were created by Sue Dickson, a former first-grade teacher for many years. The following letter of appreciation to Sue from Donna Francis, a Literacy Programs Specialist from Safety Harbor, Florida, describes these complete language arts programs.

"Thank you for a very special summer filled with the teaching experience of my life! The first-ever Safety Harbor Public Library summer reading tutorial program [in 1997] was a great success due to the use of your carefully developed phonics reading programs..."

"We had approximately 29 children enrolled in the Sing, Spell, Read, and Write sessions for first to fourth grades, and eight older students in the Winning class. In one-hour-a-day sessions for eight weeks (Monday - Friday), our children went from struggling with phonemic awareness to reading fluency."

"The sing-along songs, games, and activities in both programs generated the enthusiasm and motivation needed for a summer reading program. One student told his mother that he was enjoying learning to read so much, he asked if classes couldn't also be held on Saturdays, too. The step-by-step sequence to your programs perfectly integrates spelling, phonics, writing, and reading with the delightful, connected stories."

"Most of these students had experienced difficulties or failure in school yet they began to quickly grasp decoding skills and feel increasingly more comfortable with literature. It was a joy to see children have fun while learning and feel good about themselves as they realized they really could read, write, and spell."

"Let me share some of the quotes from parents:

• 'I have spent $12,000 teaching my child to read, and he has learned more in the first two lessons of Winning than all the tutoring I have paid for.'
• 'I wish I had known about this program before I enrolled my child in summer school. I would have chosen this class alone, because he's learning far more than in summer school.'
• 'Not only is my son reading, but our younger child—who is three and a half—can now point to each letter as the A-to-Z song is playing.'"

"Many of the children finished—or are close to finishing—all 36 steps of the program. Also, many parents have asked about purchasing materials for home use. Both programs were highly successful. Watching children sound out four- and five-syllable words, not only to read them but to spell them, was an incredibly exciting experience."

"All who watched the children's progress during the eight weeks truly believe in Sing, Spell, Read, and Write. Again, our sincerest appreciation for the donation of your time and phenomenal programs to our first summer literacy project. It was an overwhelming success and one that should be replicated in libraries all across the country."

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