S.P.I.R.E.Specialized Program Individualized Reading

Excellence

Lisa Monica & Michael PettineoNovember 3rd, 2011

What is S.P.I.R.E.?

* Developed by Sheila Clark-Edmands, an Orton-Gillingham fellow.

* The program provides accessible materials to assist teachers’ implementation of an Orton-Gillingham based approach to reading instruction.

* The Orton-Gillingham method is a multisensory approach that utilizes phonetics and emphasizes visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles.

* S.P.I.R.E. is a supplemental/intervention program designed to provide systematic instruction in the five components of reading identified by the National Reading Panel.

-Phonemic Awareness

-Phonics

-Fluency

-Vocabulary

-Comprehension

Used for difficulty reading, spelling, writing associated with dyslexia

Well-trained experienced instructor Practices derived from body knowledge and

practice over 70 years Scientific evidence on how people read,

write, their difficulty reading and writing and practices best suited for teaching reading and writing

The Orton-Gillingham Approach

Most associated with one on one teacher to student instructional model

Use in small groups not uncommon Always focused on the needs of the

individual Approach is language based,

multisensory, structured, sequential, cumulative, cognitive and flexible

Orton-Gillingham Approach

Neuropsychologist and pathologist A pioneer in focusing attention in

reading failure and related language processing difficulties

Brought together neuro-scientific information and principles of remediation

1925 identified dyslexia as an educational problem

Samuel Torrey Orton (1879-1948)

Educator and psychologist with mastery of language

Compiled and published materials as early as 1930

These materials provided the foundation for the Orton-Gillingham Approach

Anna Gillingham (1878-1963)

How Much Does S.P.I.R.E. Cost?

* Levels 1-5 can purchased as an individual set for 1 teacher and 1 student. It costs $1347.20

* Levels 6-8 can be purchased as an individual set for 1 teacher and 1 student. It costs $601.95

* The entire S.P.I.R.E. program can be purchased as a set for 1 teacher and 1 student for $1,737.

* Individual student workbooks range from $12-18.

How Does S.P.I.R.E. Work?

* S.P.I.R.E. can be used in one-on-one or small group instruction of three to five students for 50-60 minutes daily.

* The program is designed specifically for at risk or struggling 1st – 8th grade students who already demonstrate mastery of the letter-sound correspondences for single consonants.

* The entire S.P.I.R.E. program consists of eight levels and is intended to be completed in 2-4 academic years.

* Each lesson incorporates a ten-step process.

S.P.I.R.E.

Concepts are introduced and reviewed with a Key Word Concept Sheet, and Phonogram and Word cards.

Step 1Phonograms Cards (5

minutes)

A variety of multisensory activities help to develop the students’ ability to hold sounds in their minds.

Step 2Phonological Awareness (5

minutes)

Students build and manipulate words with their magnetic board and letters and then move on to writing words.

Step 3Word Building (5

minutes)

Introductory Lesson: Students markup words for decoding.

Step 4Decoding & Sentence Reading (10 minutes)

Reinforcement Lesson: Students read words and sentences, developing vocabulary and comprehension.

A word from the reading selection is orally reviewed for phoneme-grapheme analysis.

Step 5Pre-reading (5 minutes)

The teacher activates prior knowledge and builds background.

Introductory Lesson: Students utilize a Word Find Sheet to identify and read new concept words.

Step 6Reading (5 Minutes)

Reinforcement Lesson: Students read fiction and nonfiction texts, applying the newly introduced concept and developing comprehension skills.

Ten sounds are dictated to students and they write and say all known letter combinations for those sounds.

Step 7Sound Dictation (2 Minutes)

Step 7

The first word to be spelled in Step 9 is orally analyzed for its phoneme-grapheme relationships.

Step 8Pre-Spelling (Orally) (3 minutes)

Words are dictated to the students. Students spell words as they name letters and sound out the words.

Step 9Spelling (5 Minutes)

Step 9

Students say and write sentences systematically, proofread, and make corrections with teacher guidance.

Step 10Sentence Dictation (5 Minutes)

Step 10

Struggling readers are engaged with efficient pacing.

Strengths of the S.P.I.R.E. Program

All sensory channels are used to enhance memory and learning.

Consistent procedures simplify teacher preparation and maintain student focus on increasing complex concepts.

Detailed language is provided for each step of each lesson to assist teachers in scaffolding instruction.

Each lesson provides multiple practice opportunities of previously learned skills to attain mastery.

The S.P.I.R.E. kit alone does not include the beginning skill lessons necessary to provide comprehensive reading instruction.

Weaknesses of the S.P.I.R.E. Program

The S.P.I.R.E. kit lacks sound/symbol correspondence instruction at the single consonant level.

The S.P.I.R.E. kit is best utilized by an Orton-Gillingham trained instructor; if not, the teacher manuals that follow a step by step process are imperative.

It is also lacking in opportunities for the kinesthetic learner; instructor must provide more outside of the program

www.learningabledkids.com/reading/S.P.I.R.E._orton-gillingham_program_review.htm

Web Resources

epsbooks.schoolspecialty.com/product/details.cfm?seriesonly=3250AM

www.fcrr.org/fcrrreports/PDF/SoundsSensibleSPIRE.pdf

This website will allow you to view the entire series, purchase workbooks, and even view a sample video lesson.

This website will provide a detailed overview of the S.P.I.R.E. program.

This website will provide a detailed overview of the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction.

Questions / Comments

* Thanks for being an attentive audience!