Learning Pyramid - About Stories Based on Phonics


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Fact File

Why should Stories Based on Phonics be part of your child's reading program? Look at the following topics to find out how our program works and why it will help build solid, long-lasting reading habits and skills.

The Books

Stories Based on Phonics is a series of thirty-four, 24 page books. Each book is a complete story based on a different phonic rule for the beginning or the struggling reader. (For a complete list of all of the stories and rules covered, go to the Titles Page.)

The Three Level Series covers long and short vowels, consonants, blends, digraphs and diphthongs.

The Phonic Rule Page in each book explains the rule before the 20 page illustrated story begins. The majority of words in each story come from the phonic rule with 6-10 sight words used per story and only 23 different sight words used in the series.

Repetition, rhyming and humor capture the child's attention throughout the story. Each story is written with plots and characters children enjoy. Ample humor keeps the child and parent amused.

Word Lists and Storyline Comprehension Questions provide tools to assess children's reading comprehension and understanding of the phonic rule.

Helpful Hints on Learning to Read. This page tells you what it is like for your new or struggling readers. Tips are given so that you can maake the time spent with your reader more enjoyable and more productive.

How to Use the Series.In this series you will receive instructions on how to use the Series with your reader. Separate instructions are provided for the beginning or the struggling reader.

How will Stories Based on Phonics improve your child's reading?

Most parents want to help their children, but simply do not know how to. The Learning Pyramid's step by step framework makes it easy. Students receive a strong foundation in phonics which is lacking in some schools today. By removing phonics from school education, a reader must memorize words for reading and spelling versus applying the formula for phonetic patterns of the English Language. For some children, this is never accomplished. By mastering a few phonic rules, students become improved readers and spellers.

Phonics gives the reader a formula for sounding out and unscrambling unfamiliar words with phonetic patterns. Phonics is the association of letters with their appropriate speech sounds. Over 80% of the English Language is phonetically based and yet many schools do not use a systematic phonics program in their reading or spelling programs. Our Series combines phonics with reading. Each of our 34 stories covers a different phonic rule including short and long vowels, consonant blends, digraphs and diphthongs.
The Phonic Rule page sets the stage for the reader by explaining the rule to the parent and child before the story begins. The benefits of a strong foundation in phonics has long been realized.
The Series includes a systematic phonic instruction in Three Levels with each level building on the prior level for continual review. Each story includes a Word List Page and Storyline Comprehension Questions to review the reader's understanding of the phonic rule and reading comprehension. Each level includes a Word Glossary and Phonic Review Book.
Each story will amuse the reader while they read the story and learn phonics at the same time. No more drilling of disjointed words to learn the phonic rule. By mastering a few phonic rules, your child will become a better reader, an improved speller, and a superior student. Let your child be the leader of his class.

Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Questions.

How Does the Learning Pyramid differ from other phonic programs?

Other phonic programs require children to independently drill words without being in sentence context. With Stories Based on Phonics, the student learns the phonic rule while reading a story. This builds the reader's self-confidence and provides a win-win situation.

What age is the Series for?

The Series is written for the beginning or the struggling reader. So, it is appropriate for a 4 or a 5 year old who knows their letter sounds and is ready to learn to read. Likewise, it is also appropriate for an older struggling reader to improve their reading skills. We have many young children, who have learned to read with the series. We also have many 4th and 5th grade students who use the series to improve their reading and understanding of phonic rules.

Who wrote this Series and why did she write it?

Ellen Whitman is a special educaion reading teacher who believes strongly in phonics. She began writing the stories five years ago to supplement her daughter's reading education when her daughter was in 2nd grade and a struggling reader.

Other frustrated parents asked for copies of the stories. Educators encouraged her to write more stories. As a result, Mrs. Whitman created Learning Pyramid to publish Stories Based on Phonics. Today her daughter and son both read above grade level and are consistently on the Honor Roll.

For the past few years Mrs. Whitman has been a Special Education Reading Teacher at a Middle School. She takes an active part in her children's education and extracurricular activities of soccer, band, ballroom dancing, and church.

A Personal Message from the Author:
     Several years ago my daughter was a struggling reader in a whole language classroom who could not read unfamiliar words or spell. Being an educator and a very frustrated parent, I developed the stories to teach my daughter to read and learn phonics. Other programs required too much drilling of words.
     Stories Based on Phonics gave us the personal rewards of reading while learning phonics providing positive reinforcement and self-confidence. Our daughter is now in the 7th grade receives A's in reading and spelling.
     I know how frustrating it can be to want to help your child but not knowing how. I too wanted to help my child but I could not find a suitable program to help her.
     Parents, you'll love the series because of the step by step framework. We tried to make it easy for you in working with your child.
     Today in my middle school reading program, several of my remedial readers enjoy Stories Based on Phonics. This series provides them with the success and encouragement they need in order to strengthen their decoding skills.
     Good Luck and Good Reading. I hope you enjoy our report on Tips on Helping Your Child Learn to Read. Let us hear from you, we welcome all your comments.

The Step-by-Step framework makes it easy for you

Helpful Hints on Learning to Read. This page tells you what it is like for your new or struggling readers. Tips are given so that you can make the time spent with your reader more enjoyable and more productive.
Phonic Rule Pages and Spelling Tips. The Phonic Rule Page sets the stage for the story by explaining the phonic rule of the story and lists the sight words. Only 6-10 sight words are used per story and only 23 sight words are used throughout the Series.
How to Use the Series. In the Series you will receive instructions on how to use the Series with your reader. Separate instructions are provided for the beginning or the struggling reader.
Word Lists and Storyline Questions provide tools to review reading comprehension and understanding of the phonic rule.

For comments or questions, click here to contact Learning Pyramid.