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.

Using a balanced approach to reading instruction, one that builds from rich literature and provides direct and systematic instruction, the Waterford Early Reading Program provides:

• Teachers with the resources they need to more frequently and meaningfully interact with students
• Students with the environment they need to gain the skills necessary for a lifetime of learning

Multiple yearlong courses in the program provide an innovative continuum of instruction tailored to each student's reading level.

• Reading 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.
• Reading Level Two (beginning reading) teaches letter sounds, word recognition, and beginning reading comprehension. Level Two is typically used in first grade.
• Reading Level Three (fluent reading) takes students from beginning to fluent reading and comprehension. Level Three is typically used in second grade.
• Phonological Awareness helps young students recognize that words are made up of phonemes. Phonological Awareness is typically run concurrent with Level One or Level Two.
• Keyboarding to Read and Write teaches students how 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 is a menu of writing activities, paint programs, and word processors that allows teachers to devote more classroom time to developing students' writing skills.

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.

Level One     Level Two     Level Three     Phonological Awareness

Keyboarding to Read and Write     Writing