DECODING: Follow-up Class

DECODING—Continuum of Decoding Strategies: Explicit—Systematic—Cumulative

November 18, 2023

Use of systematic decoding strategies paves a reliable path toward accurate identification of the vast variety of English words—simplest to most complex. The alphabetic principle is a foundation of English orthography, but learning to read and write is a process of increasing awareness and integration of phonology, orthography, and morphology. Written language requires orthographic memory for patterns: letters, graphemes, syllables, morphemes. To effectively use these elements of language structure, students need to understand their interrelationships—including morpho-phonemics. Efficient and consistent use of word identification (decoding) strategies accelerates progress toward word recognition—and ultimately orthographic mapping. Routine and informed use of these systematic strategies lessens cognitive load as students encounter learned words no longer needing conscioususe (sight words) and unfamiliar words requiring intentional use until learned. Video clips of group instruction demonstrate introduction and guided practice of a continuum of explicit systematic cumulative decoding strategies.

Sustaining Slingerland Skills classes are follow-up classes intended for those who have completed at least the Introductory Comprehensive class. Specific classes may be appropriate for those who have taken a Slingerland short class on a related topic. Each followup class will focus on a particular aspect of the Slingerland® Approach, the Slingerland lesson plan, structured literacy, and/or the science of reading. Follow-up classes may include lecture, video presentations, discussion, and question-and-answer.

Classes are held virtually to offer this opportunity to the widest audience possible.

Each of these three-hour followup classes is approved by IMSLEC for three (3) hours of CEU credit

for those seeking recertification as a Certified Slingerland Teacher (CST) or Certified Slingerland Instructor of Teachers (CSIT).