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     Imagine sitting in 1st Grade and being asked to read the following: ^?# $?# ?%+ #*& !?#, (Fat Cat and the Rat). Each symbol represents a speech sound, but you have to learn the pattern by yourself. This happens daily to many children sitting in whole language classrooms.

     Frustrated with the lack of phonics in schools today, Ellen L. Whitman, a parent and educator, developed a reading series called Stories Based on Phonics. "My daughter was a struggling reader in a whole language classroom. I kept thinking, where is See Spot Run? Why aren't they teaching phonics? During 1st and 2nd grade, her teachers kept telling me not to worry.

      But my daughter couldn't decode words, so she couldn't read or spell. I was so frustrated that I began to write stories like Fat Cat and the Rat and Red Hen Met the Vet to supplement her reading education," Mrs. Whitman said. "Other frustrated parents and educators asked for copies for their children and encouraged me to write more stories.

     As a result, I created Learning Pyramid and added tools for parents to help their children learn phonics and learn to read with Stories Based on Phonics. Within two years, our daughter was on the Honor Roll with A's in reading," states Whitman

     Each story in the 34 Book Series teaches a different phonic rule. The Phonic Rule Page explains the rule to the parent and the beginning or the struggling reader before the 20 page illustrated story begins. Repetition, rhyming and humor capture the child's attention and interest.

     Most parents want to help their children, but do not know how. Educators and parents love the step by step framework, including Helpful Hints on Learning to Read, How to Use the Series and Spelling Tips. Word Lists and Storyline Comprehension Questions provide tools to review comprehension. Children gain the personal rewards of reading with Stories Based on Phonics versus other programs which require children to drill words independently.

     Reading scores show a downward trend in reading levels and comprehension. Over 80 percent of the English language is phonetically based, but many schools use whole language to teach reading. Whole language teachers immerse children in literature, believing children will learn to decode words by themselves. Unfortunately, this is not happening for many students.

     Stories Based on Phonics is only available from Learning Pyramid, 800-386-3386. $99.95 plus $8.00 shipping and $7.00 Florida sales tax. Send a self addressed stamped business envelope to receive a free copy of Helping Your Child Learn to Read, PO Box 423411, Kissimmee, FL, 34742-3411. ISBN 1-886410-50-X.

CONTACT:
Ellen Whitman
(407)-847-0017