~ MASTER THE CODE ~
HOW “MASTER THE CODE” COMPLETELY TRANSFORMS A STUDENT’S BASIC READING SYSTEM
“Master The Code” is a new sound-to-code reading and spelling program. It is based upon the most recent scientific research and incorporates all of the components of a good reading program. It is modeled after the process by which spoken language is first learned. Students improve their reading skills tremendously in less than five months.
The program builds reading and spelling skills through techniques that train students to accurately recognize and understand letters and letter combinations, and the corresponding sounds of speech. The program aids individuals of all ages who struggle with reading. This is especially beneficial for student readers who have developed inefficient or inaccurate reading habits.
WHY MASTER THE CODE?
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Rebuilds a student’s reading system
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Overcomes poor reading habits
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Trains reading at a basic sound-to code level
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Produces rapid measurable results
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Encourages fluency and comprehension
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Produces tremendous gains in reading
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Gives children and adults the tools they need for a lifetime of better reading
HOW IT WORKS
MTC is designed to integrate with and build upon the PACE cognitive skills enhancement program. Studies suggest that as many as 85% of students testing low on reading proficiency also have weak underlying cognitive skills, in particular, auditory processing skills.
WHY IS MTC DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE?
MTC DEVELOPS UNDERLYING SKILLS
MTC recognizes that some students do not bring sufficient cognitive skills to the task of learning the reading code quickly and efficiently. Even if the code is taught completely and sequentially, the student, who has a severe auditory processing deficiency, is not concentrating adequately, works too slowly, has poor memory skills, or cannot create good mental images, will complete lessons very slowly or exhibit poor retention. When skills are in place, however, students learn rapidly. Master The Code has been designed to remedy the significant problem areas. It works in conjunction with PACE to enhance these mental skill:
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Memory ( the ability to remember the sound- symbol relationship )
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Sound Segmenting ( the ability to separate or unglue sounds)
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Sound Blending ( the ability to put together sounds to form words)
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Auditory Analysis ( the ability to manipulate or analyze small changes in groups of sounds)
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Processing Speed and Working Memory ( the ability to retain incoming information and properly processed it quickly)
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Attention ( the ability to stay on the given task)
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Visualization ( the ability to create and use mental images)
MTC IS PROPERLY SEQUENCED
MTC starts with blending, segmenting, and sound analysis. Nonsense words are used so students do not rely on their memory of known words. Students are trained to segment words into isolated phonemes and blend isolated sounds into words. Encoding (spelling ), decoding (reading), and written exercises are used to make the reversibility of the code clear.
Students who struggle to correctly pronounce and differentiate between all the sounds of standard English get more direct instruction at a sensory level about how parts of the mouth ( jaw, teeth, tongue, lips, and vocal cords) interact based on individual sounds.
FROM THE SIMPLE TO THE COMPLEX
MTC is both generally (in the overall layout) and specifically sequenced (in each individual lesson category) for maximum effect.
MOST PROBABLE TO LEAST PROBABLE
After the student learns the most probable spelling for each sound, the less probable, alternative spellings are introduced. Alternative spellings are taught from most likely to least likely. Through use and drill, the letter patterns and the probability of their appearance are stored in long-term memory rather than applied by unreliable usage rules.
FINALLY, LEARN THE ALTERNATIVES AND OVERLAPS- ALL WITHOUT RULE MEMORIZATION
Additional complexities, such as overlaps of the code, are also taught. For example, the letter ‘U’ can be involved in a number of different sounds: No, fool, cute, and ruin. Overlaps often create problems when reading. Various exercises are utilized to quickly teach how letters overlap to various sounds as new vowel spellings are introduced. Compared to other approaches, the MTC method of handling alternative spellings and code overlap without memorization rules reduces “sight words” by about 75%.
MTC USES A UNIQUE METHODOLOGY
MTC embeds the standard English reading code to an automatic, subconscious level. This is in contrast to most programs that passively teach rules of lessons that are easily forgotten. This is beneficial for older readers who have developed poor reading habits, as well as younger students who are just learning to read.
LASTING RESULTS
By using the unique techniques, and by making the sequence of the reading and spelling lessons agree with the logic of our alphabetic system, MTC training results in rapid mastery and automation of reading and spelling.