Method and apparatus for teaching rapid decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling)

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and tools for teaching rapid and accurate decoding and encoding words. In decoding (reading), the invention delineates the concept of sound units (a combination of blendable letter sounds) and their use to accurately decode words systematically and efficiently. In encoding (writing or making words), the invention utilize a combination of wheels to help children with limited motor skills to easily and accurately encode thousands of words and word like combinations so as to learn and familiarize themselves with words and their structures. The same wheels can also be used to create math wheels and sorting wheels that can train children's early math skills in adding, deducting, multiplication, subdivision, and other important abilities.

In the claims:  
     
         1 . A method of instructing a child to encode and decode words comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing a first group of pictures, and a second group of pictures, each picture of said first group of pictures and said second group of pictures representing a word whose first sound is a consonant letter sound, and each picture of said second group of pictures representing a word whose first or second sound is a vowel letter sound.    b. showing a first picture from said first group of pictures, to a child, wherein said first pictures represents a work whose first sound is a consonant;    c. instructing said child to pronounce the beginning consonant sound of said first picture of said first group of pictures, adding a schwa sound to said beginning sound;    d. repeating step b-d for each consonant letters;    e. showing a first picture from said second group of pictures, to said child, wherein said first picture represents a word whose first sound or second is a vowel;    f. instructing said child to pronounce the first vowel sound of said first picture of said second group of pictures;    g. repeating steps b-d for each vowel letters;    h. selecting a word;    i. instructing said child to blend the sound of each vowel in said word with the sound of the consonant which precedes each vowel to create sound units;    whereby combining said vowel sound with said preceding consonant sound to form said sound units creates a pronounceable, blend sound within the word, thereby making words easier to decode.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein and ending consonant is added to a first said sound unit of a word.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a beginning consonant is added to a first sound unit of a word.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein a beginning consonant is added to said first sound unit of a word, to form a complete word.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein multiple sound units within a word create multiple syllable words.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said second group of pictures, are grouped in multiple sub-groups, a first sub-group of said multiple subgroups, having 5 short vowels, a second sub-group containing 5 long vowels, and a third sub-group containing low frequency vowels.  
     
     
         7 . A method of decoding and encoding words by creating sound units comprising steps of: 
 a. identifying a first vowel within a word;    b. identifying a consonant immediately preceding said vowel, and forming a sound unit which is a combination of said consonant letter sound and said vowel letter sound;    c. pronouncing said sound unit;    wherein the pronunciation of said combination of said consonant and said vowel forming a sound unit helps to decode a word.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein a consonant letter sound within said workd are pronounced after the pronouncing of said second unit.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein multiple sound units and consonant letter sound are pronounced in combination to form multi-syllable words.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said sound units and consonant letter sounds are combined on an electronic device, said electronic device having a display screen, displaying said units on said display screen and said consonant letter sounds in columns, and actuating buttons to advance said columns to create words.