UK version of reading first, UK reading links

I have recently joined the UK Reading Reform Foundation (RRF) discussion forum. You may see some names you recognize there! One of their commentors also has a very interesting dylsexia website that I like. ("School-Proof your child.")

There is a ton of good information on the RRF website, especially this list of links; however, they don't think you should teach the alphabet first, only letter sounds. I happen to be a firm believer in both the alphabet names and sounds, and also syllables, which have not been popular since 1826. (Although syllables are currently taught in some French and Spanish phonetic reading programs, but syllables in words, not taught first in an isolated syllabary.) According to many researchers, "knowing the letter names is the best predictor of beginning reading achievement." (Marilyn Adams, 1990, Beginning to Read, Thinking and Learning about Print.)

The Brits evidently have their own Reading First type of program which is also meeting resistance, "The details above reveal nothing less than slight-of-hand by government ministers and the Reading Recovery people. "

You can also find some good comments about our Reading First program on their forum.