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PEL Learning Center
of Milpitas-Fremont
English Program
Phonic
The Phonic section of the English program is based on "The Spalding Writing Road to Reading" method. Instruction is explicit, interactive and diagnostic. Instruction is multi-sensory: Students see, hear, say, and write using all channels to the brain, the stronger channels reinforcing the weaker. The phonic program explicitly and systematically teaches the letters and letter combinations (phonograms) that represent speech sounds. Then it uses the phonograms to teach how to say, write and read high-frequency words. The spelling of English words is a major obstacle to essay writing and accurate reading. The students learn to unite the spoken sounds of English words to their written forms. They learn to spell words by applying phonograms and the twenty-nine rules that govern pronunciation, spelling, and language use. Word Fluency: The phonic program helps students to sound out the syllables sequentially. This skill is needed for spelling, writing and decoding unfamiliar words. It is also needed for automatic word recognition - a prerequisite for text fluently.
Reading
The 4 components of the English program essential comprehension are literacy appreciation, text structure, vocabulary and mental actions.
Literacy Appreciation
Literature is carefully chosen to foster the desire and interest to read. In EG levels, study materials are engaging and motivating. They are aligned with the spirit of the common core standard, featuring topics related to geopgraphy, history and science. In the EM and EH Levels, classics that have attracted readers for generations are being featured.
Five attributes of fine literature are being incorporated into the study materials:
1. Precise language.
2. Emotional appeal (power to touch the heart), content (provide diverse knowledge and supply a storehouse of practical wisdom with which to confront unforeseen difficulties).
3. Insight (dialogue and situations enable readers to discern implied main ideas, a character’s motives and desires, and rewards or consequences of different kinds of behavior).
4. Universality (enjoyed by readers across time and culture).
5. Help us understand ourselves.
Text Structures
Grammar is explicitly introduced: subject & predicate, nouns, pronouns, adjective, punctuation, tenses, subject-verb agreement, etc.
Vocabulary
In the EK and EG levels, vocabulary list is based on the most frequently used words complied by Dr. Ayres. Prefixes, suffixes, Latin and Roman root words are introduced in EM and EH levels.
Comprehension
Reading comprehension techniques as recommended by The Report of Reading Panel 2000 are incorporated in the English program:o Actively connect ideas in print to their prior knowledge and experiences.
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Construct mental representations.
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Use cognitive strategies.
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Use reason strategically when their comprehension breaks down.
The program also uses a multiple-strategy method including use of graphic and semantic organizers, retelling, posing questions, use of story structure, summarization, identify stated main ideas or derive implied main ideas etc.
Writing
The English Program incorporated the following features which will strengthen the writing skills of the students: Logical thinking, precise selection, and correct ordering of words to convey meaning accurately.Understanding of grammar, syntax, sentence construction, paragraph construction & summarization.