The Logic of English

Reading Across the Curriculum

Closing the achievement gap in reading requires teachers across the curriculum to integrate reading instruction into their classrooms. This is best accomplished with a unified approach to reading K-12, where teachers in later grades reinforce the concepts learned in K-2. It also requires all teachers to have an understanding of how words are read and spelled and be able to answer students’ questions about words.

In this workshop we will demonstrate how knowing the logic of English will aid in teaching reading, introducing vocabulary, and improving spelling. This workshop is for both teachers and administrators and will provide practical ideas and knowledge about reading instruction. Educators will leave the workshop with a new understanding of how English works and how this knowledge matters in their classrooms.

The Logic of English

Answers for Elementary Teachers

Are you tired of telling students, “that is an exception.” Do you have students who struggle to memorize the Dolch sight words? Do you wonder why some of your students who are good readers are such poor spellers? The Logic of English will provide you with answers you can use as soon as you return to your classroom.

This workshop will transform how you understand words. You will leave with answers to your students questions such as:

• “Why is there a silent final E in have?”
• “Why don’t we use -TION in confusion?”
• “What is saying /sh/ in racial?”

Participants will discover how knowing the phonograms and rules which logically explain 98% of English words is beneficial for teaching beginning reading through advanced spelling. Participants will experience learning through discovery and how to support students in learning to look for patterns. This process minimizes rote memorization and develops critical thinking skills, preparing students to become savvy second language learners.

Teaching of the Logic of English will be interwoven with discussion on multi-sensory methods of teaching which engage all learning styles. Teachers will discover the importance of explicit handwriting instruction and learn about the new research that demonstrates its importances to reading. We will also explore games and activities that make learning the the foundational concepts found in The Logic of English fun and engaging.

The Logic of English for Math and Science Teachers

Have you ever noticed that many of the kids who are strong in math and science struggle with reading and spelling? Maybe you became a math or science teacher because English seemed riddled with exceptions and never made sense to you. In this workshop you will discover the Logic of English. That’s right, rules that explain 98% of English words, logically.

Attendees will learn a handful of rules that will aid students in reading scientific terms correctly, improve spelling, and increase retention of meaning. These simple tips are easily woven into your lecture and will save you and students countless hours in rote memorization and contribute to reading instruction across the curriculum.

The Logic of English

A New Way to See Words

Have you always believed English is illogical and inconsistent?

In this workshop your understanding of English will be transformed! Award-winning author Denise Eide will reveal phonograms and spelling rules which explain 98% of English words. No longer will you need to tell your children “that is an exception” when they misread or misspell a word.

We will learn:

• The rule which explains the two sounds for C in accent and describes more than 6,000 words!
• Three of the nine reasons for a Silent Final E.
• Why we drop the Silent Final E in servicing but not in serviceable, and much more!
• Why many math and science minded kids struggle with reading and spelling.

Do not miss this revolutionary workshop. You will leave wondering why someone didn’t tell you this in kindergarten.

Soaring Not Struggling

Preventing and Teaching Struggling Readers and Spellers

Reading and spelling are complex skills that involve the mind, muscle memory, learning styles, and the heart. Join award-winning author Denise Eide as she opens your understanding to why many students struggle. Practical information will be interwoven with stories from her own experiences. She will also share NIHCD research that demonstrates the power of systematic, multi-sensory teaching for all students.

In this workshop we will learn:

• Why oversimplifications, such as teaching S says /s/, discourage math and science minded students. *
• How to correct reversals.
• Ways to teach to the strengths of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners while strengthening their weaknesses.

This workshop will lay the foundations for teaching reading and spelling, aid teachers in selecting curriculum, and help teachers heal and guard their students’ hearts from discouragement.

* Did you know? S says /z/ 70% of the time, including simple words like “is.”

Nerf Guns and Shaving Cream

Teaching Reading and Spelling to Kids Who Can’t Sit Still

Learn how to engage your active learners through movement. Denise Eide will share her experiences teaching and parenting active children. She will also reveal the natural kinesthetic components to reading and spelling and teach parents how to tap into those to enhance learning for all students.

In this workshop we will:

• Learn active learning games.
• Develop an appreciation of the gifts of kinesthetic learners.
• Learn how to utilize the kinesthetic gift while strengthening areas of weakness.

Though this workshop will focus on reading and spelling, the concepts are easily applied to other subjects. Each participant will receive a handout of games and ideas that can be used on Monday!

Getting Kids Fired Up About Words

Discovering Morphology

Did you know that English spelling reflects both sound and meaning?

Mastering a language as large as English requires understanding how words are formed. Learning the meanings of roots, prefixes, and suffixes will transform vocabulary development, spelling, and reading. Participants will not only discover how English words are built, but practical ideas for integrating this information into their classrooms. While taking a new look at the structure of words, we will play games, demonstrate how to introduce words found in history, math, and science, and discover how fun learning vocabulary can be. You will leave this workshop inspired and hungry for more. Each participant will receive a detailed handout that can be used with students of all ages.

Teaching Handwriting with Success

Developing fluid, legible handwriting is foundational to education, yet this basic skill is often neglected in today’s world of computers. In this workshop we will explore the history of handwriting education, methods for teaching handwriting so that all students succeed, handwriting games and practice ideas, best practices for teaching cursive and manuscript, and more. Participants will also learn the latest handwriting research and how it applies to teaching reading and spelling. This workshop will provide practical information that can be used as soon as parents return to teaching.

Laying the Foundations for Reading

Early Childhood Reading Games and Activities

Literacy is the foundation of all education. By providing preschool children with language learning opportunities that prepare them for reading, we can smooth their transition into the printed word. This workshop will present language learning games, ideas on teaching the phonograms to young students, and present the latest literacy research on early childhood and reading. Each participant will be provided a handout with ideas they can use with their children at home.