|



|

The Waterford Early Reading Program is a comprehensive, research-based
curriculum that teaches children how to read, write, and keyboard. It
is one of the nation's first research-based, technology-driven reform
models in early reading instruction.

Multiple yearlong courses in the program provide an innovative continuum
of instruction tailored to each student's reading level.
| Level One |
In 15-minute daily sessions, Level One (emergent reading) prepares students for beginning reading instruction by teaching print concepts, phonological awareness, and letter recognition. Level One is typically used in kindergarten. |
| Level Two |
In 30-minute daily sessions, Level Two (beginning reading) teaches letter sounds, blending, word recognition, language conventions, and beginning reading comprehension. Students progress from Level One through carefully designed and sequenced activities. Level Two is typically used in first grade. |
| Level Three |
In 30-minute daily sessions, Level Two (beginning reading) teaches letter sounds, blending, word recognition, language conventions, and beginning reading comprehension. Students progress from Level One through carefully designed and sequenced activities. Level Two is typically used in first grade. |
| Phonological Awareness |
Phonological Awareness teaches students that spoken words are made up of smaller speech units—phonemes. As they progress, students practice listening, rhyming, segmenting, blending, and making new words. Phonological Awareness is typically run concurrent with Level One or Level Two. |
| Keyboarding to Read and Write |
Keyboarding to Read and Write teaches students to keyboard by touch. Students also develop reading and writing skills by keyboarding high priority words and literature from Level Two. Keyboarding is usually run concurrent with Level Two or Level Three, but after Phonological Awareness. |
| Writing |
Writing provides a menu of writing activities and paint programs for emergent readers and a word processor for advanced readers. It also provides students with additional writing opportunities at the teacher's discretion. |

Standards for the Waterford Early Reading Program are established
through careful consideration of research sources in conjunction with
the recommendations made by the following national organizations:
- Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR)
- National Research Council (NRC)
- International Reading Association (IRA)
- National Reading Panel
- National Center on Education and Economy (NCEE)
- National Institute for Health and Human Development (NICHD)
- Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA)
- No Child Left Behind legislation
- Key state reading standards
 To learn more about purchasing the Waterford Early Reading Program,
visit the site of our publisher and distributor, Pearson.
|