This document discusses hammer teaching, an approach to literacy instruction that explicitly teaches phonics and allows students to move from fluency to comprehension quickly. It notes that SSP is one program based on hammer teaching principles that provides free resources, but that many programs can be effective if they incorporate systematic phonics instruction, differentiated teaching, and make learning fun. The document questions whether school leaders are making decisions that fail students and empower teachers, and provides resources for teachers and parents seeking effective literacy strategies.

1. Limited choices

2. Better Schools, or BS?
How far do we really need to go to
ensure that every child has the basic
literacy skills to function in life, and have
choices ?

7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw
DrNKBdOCk

8. What is ‘hammer teaching’?
Teaching based on a framework that allows for;
*teaching of phonemic awareness, so that the phonics makes sense when decoding
and encoding.
*phonics to be taught systematically and explicitly, so that ALL children can move from
fluency to comprehension as quickly as possible, to become readers
*the development of visual and symbol imagery
*the development of verbal intelligence, including increased vocabulary knowledge
and ‘higher order’ thinking and problem solving
* the effective use of resources that scaffold teaching and learning, to develop
independence (eg SSP Book Tier and the 4 SSP Teaching Levels) and also allow for child
centred inquiry learning (see Speech Sound Detective and Speech Sound Cloud
activities) Resources ‘fit’ with learning differences, for example appropriate use of
technology and ‘aids’
* differentiated teaching and learning, so that children are grouped according to
ability level (relating to specific skills - including blending, segmenting, manipulation
and recognition of sound pics)
* children to have FUN learning, and to be inspired by speech and language – oral and
in print.
Teachers CANNOT be expected to do this without quality training, resources and
mentoring and SUPPORT.

9. Is SSP the only solution?
Of course not ! There are numerous ‘programs’ that enable teachers, TAs (and
parents) schools to work collaboratively, and to achieve all of the above.
Many teachers are already doing this!
SSP was created to offer a FREE program and resources so that even low
budget schools in remote areas (and parents) can access a quality program.
However schools could use Mini and MultiLit, Sounds Write, RWI, Get
Reading Right, THRASS…..to name a few. There are also a few good apps eg
Reading Doctor, PocketPhonics., which are used within the SSP Approach.
Try not to use a mish mash of programs however, in the hope of somehow
addressing all needs. One of the many strengths, with regards to SSP, is
continuity of characters and visual prompts to support the decoding and
encoding process, as well as it being very early years friendly. Resources can
be used from an array of programs, but all slot into the same four SSP levels.
For example Fitzroy readers, RWI readers, SPELD readers etc.

10. Programs based on Hammer Teaching

11. ‘Works’ = ALL reading and spelling with
confidence.
This should be non negotiable.
In a main stream school in ANY area of Australia
this is possible. Specific strategies DO ‘work’ for all.
Many experts will offer to show you, if not
convinced.
Don’t turn them away !

12. Should school leaders really have
responsibility for deciding what best
suits their teachers and students?
What if these decisions are failing
students, and failing to empower
class teachers?

13. Come and hear Kori, a parent of a child
who was struggling to read and spell
using the strategies employed at his
school.
Find out the lengths she had to go
to, so that her son could learn
to read and spell.

15. What is the reality, in Australia, for parents of
children who struggle with reading and spelling?
Join the ReadAustralia facebook
page to connect with others in the same
situation. You are certainly not alone.
A parent recently sued her child’s school.
State schools are protected from legal action,
regardless of whether they fail students.
We need Better Schools, not BS.

16. Failing student, who has attended the same
state school for almost 6 years. School uses
LIFT – this student involved in LIFT for over
a year prior to NAPLAN year 5 testing.
Highly qualified and experienced
literacy expert, with proven track record,
offers to teach him – as long as it can be
videoed for teachers professional
development.
Refused.
Solution? Speech therapy and more of
the same ineffective teaching. More
scissor teaching.
The Reader Whisperer’s recommendation
- enhance LIFT to suit this individual child’s
needs.
She has also sent free resources and a plan
specific to this student. Who decides if
this is shared, or used?

17. SSP is just one example of Hammer Teaching, that is predominantly free.

18. What to ask your school leader, to get an idea of whether
research based strategies are being used, as well as to get a feel
for openness and transparency.
Please could I have a copy of the guidelines followed, or ‘program’ to teach my child to
read and spell at your school ie approach, philosophy and resources/ programs used.
Please could I have a copy of the school guide to assessments of reading and spelling
levels used with students at this school. I am specifically interested in these questions.
Are students phonics tested? Are they checked for phonemic awareness, code
knowledge, ability to blend, segment and manipulate phonemes, ability to encode and
decode, and to understand what they are reading using both oral and written
comprehension tasks?
Do they learn to develop visual and symbol imagery?
Do students have independent access to all spelling variations (eg SSP Speech Sound
Clouds)
Do teachers still use the three-cueing system at your school? Do they use PM Readers?
What is the policy regarding students learning sight words?
What readers are used to support students who are learning to read?
What happens if students at your school are not reading independently by the end of
Prep? Do all students currently achieve minimim levels for reading and spelling at Year
3, 5 and 7 ? (NAPLAN results)

19. What is the reality in Australia if you
are a teacher who recognises that you
do not have the knowledge to meet
the needs of specific students, and
WANT to learn more.
“ I am tired of not knowing how to make it easier for my true strugglers.
I really want a better way.”
QLD teacher

21. The Reading Whisper’s new site
www.betterschools.com.au

22. Why create an independent initiative to develop
Better Schools in Australia (and worldwide)

27. Join us, and support others who are
willing to speak out for ALL children,
worldwide.
"I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child." - Malala

29. Ideas from Miss Emma
‘Why isnt my child comprehending the text?’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3BPYCVPYB4

30. How can I teach a failing student to spell?
http://youtu.be/LxuxWX3OPL4

31. Free educational videos.
Visit www.youtube.com/soundpics
Download free resources
www.slideshare.net/readingwhisperer
Free support
www.facebook.com/readaustralia