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Thoughts on Slingerland Training
Testimonials from 2005 Scholarship Recipients
NCBIDA awarded partial teacher training scholarships to 13 individuals in summer 2005. All participated in Slingerland multisensory language instruction training programs. On returning to their schools in the fall, scholarship recipients were asked to give a 15 to 20 minute presentation, either to the entire teaching staff, a group of teachers, and/or parents, highlighting their training experiences. Here are excerpts from summaries of those presentations as well as comments enclosed in thank you notes and e-mail messages to NCBIDA.
I would like to extend a heart-felt thanks for the generous award for the training course this summer. I would simply not have been able to attend the course without the scholarship money. The course had a profound impact on my classroom teaching. With the implementation of a multisensory approach, we spend time each day writing letters and practicing so that each writing experience is successful instead of the teacher just talking about how it's done…The explicit nature of the program ensures that all students will learn something. It's a very amazing thing to watch the program work… I have changed the way in which I teach writing, phonics and reading.
Public school SDC classroom teacher, K-3
Thank you for the amazing opportunity you afforded me. I really appreciate having the tools and knowledge to teach my students and help them be successful. Most of my students have been diagnosed with dyslexia and using Slingerland with them has been practically magical! They have been able to make amazing progress in both spelling and reading, where before they believed themselves to be unteachable.
Private school resource teacher, K-5
This training has impacted the way I teach in that I have specific tools and approaches to help kids who I could not reach before. The integrated direct instruction approach has helped my students immeasurably.
Private school learning specialist, K-5
...one of the most important effects of my training on my teaching is that I am a true believer in direct instruction now. I realize more than ever that most students do NOT learn through osmosis, but instead via clear and direct teaching by a highly trained teacher. In addition, the prep for reading and structured reading has helped all of my readers with difficult content…I will continue to use Slingerland until the end of the year for my struggling readers, if not for all of my students.
Public school dual immersion classroom teacher, 4-5
It is difficult to encapsulate the elements and benefits of the Slingerland approach. After a month of consuming study, I was left with the awareness of how much more I wanted to learn. I wished the class had lasted longer because each day, I learned new ideas and strengthened newly acquired skills. The more I learned, the more I wanted to keep learning. Would I recommend the course to others? Absolutely and enthusiastically! As long as one is prepared for a demanding mental (and physical) test, the rewards make the costs well worth the effort. I am able to apply what I learned this summer everyday in the classroom.
Private school teaching assistant, 1st grade
Kids enjoy decoding and being able to explain vowel patterns. It has made me a more confident literacy teacher. I can identify problems quicker, have an idea about how to help individual students, and can explain my reasoning effectively to parents.
Public school classroom teacher, 2nd grade
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