Classes

This class is the core of the Slingerland® training program. It is traditionally offered as a four-week summer session and includes a practicum with students. It can also be adapted into an in-school-year class. 

Class content includes: 

• Instruction in the introductory steps of handwriting, written language, decoding and reading comprehension 

• Knowledge of the historical and philosophical background of Specific Language Disability (dyslexia) 

• The study of phonic rules and their application to encoding and decoding 

• The neurology of language as a means of developing oral language skills  

• The history, philosophy and current research in the field of dyslexia  

• The relationship of curriculum and classroom organization to the language arts program 

• Practice with multi-sensory teaching principles through daily work with children 

133 classroom hours. This class is approved for 6 graduate level extension credits through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credits must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the class. (see enrollment info below) 

Traditionally offered as a 4-week period of intensive study with a practicum. After a review of the introductory class, participants will be introduced to and practice more advanced techniques in the language arts continuum. The use of the dictation paragraph and the screening procedures for identifying students will also be presented. 

Class content includes: 

• Guided observation of the evaluative and prescriptive elements embedded in the daily plan  
• Knowledge of how oral language skills relate to writing and reading skills 
• Studying the vertical and horizontal use of the format for instruction 
• How to integrate a new learning throughout the format 
• Critical thinking skills needed for reading, writing and speaking 
• Current research in all aspects of dyslexia 
• How to administer and evaluate the Slingerland® Screening materials 

133 classroom hours. This class is approved for 6 graduate level extension credits through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credits must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the class. (see enrollment info below) 

This four-week class is designed for a limited number of participants wishing to become staff teachers in Slingerland’s multisensory structured language training course. This class encompasses all learning in the introductory and second level classes as the participant learns how to organize, maintain and evaluate a summer session, its students and participants. 

Participants may also enroll in the Third Level Continuum class for more directed work with small groups of students. Daily lesson plans are developed to meet the needs of these students under the direction of the Slingerland® Instructor. 

Third Level Continuum/Intern class content includes: 

• The use of the Slingerland® Approach with a classroom group of children 
• Evaluations of participant lesson plans, materials and teaching stations 
• Evaluations of delivery of planned lessons Assisting with the completion of forms for the Slingerland® Institute 
• Preparation and delivery of lectures to participants 
• Preparation of an orientation about dyslexia and the Slingerland® Approach 
• Individualized requirements assigned by the Director 

133 classroom hours. This class is approved for 6 graduate level extension credits through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credits must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the class. (see enrollment info below) 

This Slingerland® Institute Extended Practicum will follow the Introductory Level Comprehensive class for teachers seeking certification or additional support in implementation of the Slingerland® Approach with students. (60 hours for CEUs.) 

*Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Introductory Level Comprehensive class  

This Slingerland® Institute Extended Practicum will follow the Continuum Level Comprehensive class for teachers seeking certification or additional support in implementing the Slingerland® Approach with students. (60 hours for CEUs.) 

*Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Introductory Level and Continuum Level Comprehensive Teacher Training classes and the Introductory Level Extended Practicum class 

Developing oral language, phonological awareness and an introduction to recognizing and writing the alphabet. 

Content includes: 

• The understanding of what children need to know before they learn to read 

• A study of the normal development of oral language Oral language skills – listening and speaking  

• Phonological awareness activities for the classroom 

• The sight, sound, form and key-word of each letter of the alphabet 

• The major components of reading acquisition 

• Current assessment strategies for beginning readers 

• Indicators of reading problems and characteristics of language/learning disabilities 

12.5 classroom hours. This workshop is approved for 1 graduate level extension credit through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credit must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop. (see enrollment info below) 

A study of the Slingerland® Pre-Reading Screening Tests (for kindergarten and beginning first grade students) including administration, scoring and evaluation. Content includes: 

• The study of the Slingerland® Pre-Reading Screening procedures 

• How to use the Pre-Reading Screening for referral, remediation and lesson planning 

• How paraprofessionals can assist in the screening and scoring process 

• How the Pre-Reading Screening can reveal important information about learning patterns and school readiness 

• How to identify strengths and weaknesses in language learning 

• How these strengths and weaknesses impact reading, handwriting, written and oral expression and spelling 

• How to compare auditory, visual and kinesthetic-motor performance 

12.5 classroom hours. This workshop is approved for 1 graduate level extension credit through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credits must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop. (see enrollment info below) 

Offers techniques in both manuscript and cursive handwriting using the Slingerland® Approach.  

Content includes: 

• The purpose of handwriting instruction 
• The developmental stages of handwriting in student 
• The ability to identify breakdowns in the learning process and develop prescriptive lesson plans 
• Styles of letter form including manuscript and cursive 
• Strategies for multisensory instruction teaching new letter forms and reviewing those previously taught 
• Strategies for teaching students to copy accurately from far point and near point 
• The beginning steps for putting handwriting to functional use 

12.5 classroom hours. This workshop is approved for 1 graduate level extension credit through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credit must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop. (see enrollment info below) 

Administering, scoring and interpretation of all levels of the Slingerland® Screening Procedures. The various levels may be presented separately or in combination. When presented separately, these classes require ten hours of class time each. When two or more are presented, allow eight hours per class.  

Content includes: 

• The Slingerland® Screening Procedures First Grade through High School 
• How to use the Slingerland® Screenings for referral or remediation 
• How paraprofessionals can assist in the screening and scoring process 
• How these screenings can reveal important information about a student’s learning pattern 
• How to identify strengths and weaknesses in language learning for every child in your classroom How these strengths and weaknesses impact reading, handwriting, spelling, and written and oral expression 
• How to compare auditory, visual and kinesthetic-motor performance 

12.5 classroom hours. This workshop is approved for 1 graduate level extension credit through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credit must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop. (see enrollment info below) 

An introduction to written expressive language including phonics, encoding and spelling rules leading to independent written work. This workshop is module one of two.  

Content includes: 

• Knowledge of the historical and philosophical background of Specific Language Disability (dyslexia) 
• The history and development of multisensory structured instructional techniques 
• How to plan and integrate a language arts lesson beginning with the smallest unit and building to words and words within phrases and sentences
• Strategies for teaching encoding and spelling of regular and non-phonetic words 
• Current research about oral and written language
• Instructional strategies to increase students’ spelling and written language performance
• A systematic structure for encoding (blending) and vocabulary development 

20 classroom hours. This workshop is approved for 1.5 graduate level extension credit through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credit must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop.(see enrollment info below) 

The continuation of the written expressive language including phonics, encoding and spelling rules leading to independent written work. This workshop is module two of two. Prerequisites: Part 1 or 19-day summer course 

Content includes: 

• The organization of the English language - including root words, prefixes and suffixes 

• Concrete instructional practices for teaching spelling rules

• How to develop a weekly integrated language arts lesson based on a dictation paragraph including practice, review and introduction of new concepts 

• The application of more complex roots and affixes

• The use of words within phrases and sentences 

• More complex phonograms, and types of syllables 

20 classroom hours. This workshop is approved for 1.5 graduate level extension credit through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credit must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop. (see enrollment info below) 

This short class offers teaching techniques and background knowledge in the Slingerland® Adaptation for Classroom use of the Orton-Gillingham Approach. It is appropriate for all educational settings. The relationship of learning reading skills to the acquisition of oral language and its development will be explored. Multisensory techniques that begin with single units of sight, sound and feel and progress to larger units will be taught and practiced. These techniques include decoding skills, phrase reading, vocabulary development, reading with comprehension, and higher-level critical thinking skills, leading to increased fluency. The practicum could include observation, feedback, demonstration and lecture in both small group and individual formats. 

Rationale and teaching techniques for phonics, decoding, phrase reading and reading with comprehension and analysis.  

Content includes: 

• Development of an integrated lesson plan using current curriculum materials 
• Practice with the Slingerland® multisensory techniques 
• Current reading research findings 
• Instructional strategies that will increase comprehension and fluency skills 
• The study of the organization of the English language 
• A systematic structure for decoding and vocabulary development 

20 classroom hours. This class is approved for 1.5 graduate level extension credits through University of San Diego. Registration for extension credits must happen ON or BEFORE the first day of the workshop. (see enrollment info below)