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Rating: 
Summary: teacher-tested! Excellent approach
Review: I am a first grade teacher in a public school and am currently taking a 45-hour class on this book! I can't imagine just picking the book up, reading it, and being able to implement it. I started this method with my first graders after the first two classes I took. I, too, thought the "marking system" to be ridiculous AT FIRST. But, I am totally amazed by how quickly a 6-year old can pick it up. What might seem totally confusing to adults is actually fairly simple to a child. The marking system enables the child to thoroughly analyze the words they write, and eventually they will internalize the rules of our language. In just 4 weeks, I have really seen remarkable results in my students. This is a fantastic book for any educator! If you can't take a class offered by Spalding trainers, then take your time reading and implementing it.
Rating: 
Summary: complex notation system
Review: I did not use this book while teaching my child to read. This book requires the child and the teacher to learn a complex system of notation. More than just learning the different sounds letters can make together, this book requires you to number, actually write out and memorize a number, for each letter than can be sounded out in more than one way. So the words you learn to write, spell, and read are diagramed with numbers. It's very complex. I would not even attempt to teach my child using this system. It seems very frustrating. This program also requires the child to be able to write everything that is to be read. My child is beginning to read well and enjoys practicing writing, but he is not required to write the word before he can progress in his reading. I recommend instead Phonics Pathways by Dolores Hiskes and the excellent starter books by Nora Gaydos in the Now I'm Reading series.
Rating:
Summary: complex notation system
Review: I did not use this book while teaching my child to read. This book requires the child and the teacher to learn a complex system of notation. More than just learning the different sounds letters can make together, this book requires you to number, actually write out and memorize a number, for each letter than can be sounded out in more than one way. So the words you learn to write, spell, and read are diagramed with numbers. It's very complex. I would not even attempt to teach my child using this system. It seems very frustrating. This program also requires the child to be able to write everything that is to be read. My child is beginning to read well and enjoys practicing writing, but he is not required to write the word before he can progress in his reading. I recommend instead Phonics Pathways by Dolores Hiskes and the excellent starter books by Nora Gaydos in the Now I'm Reading series.
Rating:
Summary: Research Proven Methods and Results
Review: The Writing Road to Reading (WRTR) is an amazing method. It is based on the research done by Dr. Samuel Orton beginning in the 1920's. His research delved into the how and why of learning to read and the difficulties some children experience. His results were nothing short of astonishing. He discovered how all children can learn successfully. His method used all the modalities: visual, auditory, kinestic and tactile. Romalda Spalding, a teacher, worked with him for approximately two years. She developed the Spalding Method based on his research and his direction. The Spalding Method is laid out in full in the WRTR. This program is a K-8 complete curriculum. The cost is amazingly low, while the benefits are amazingly great.
I am teaching three of my children this method; two have started this method at the beginning of their school career, the other began at age 10. Although, the 10 year old did not have difficulties with language the method greatly benefited her logical reasoning when reading and spelling. It also greatly improved her cursive handwriting. My second child was destined to have learning difficulties; he exhibited all the signs. He now is meeting all his milestones.
The research I and others have done on language arts curriculums demonstate that methods that are based on Dr. Samuel Orton's work are superior to all others. The Spalding Method, being written by a teacher, is far easier to teach and more logical for the students then all the curriculums I have reviewed. The Masters of Education that I am currently working on is in Curriculum Development.
Rating:
Summary: Hands down, the best reading program money can buy!
Review: We have tried several reading programs, but this is by far the best. Your child will learn handwriting, phonics, spelling, and most of all, reading! After just a few months of using the program my children's reading took off. My first grader can read on a fourth grade level, and my third grader can read on a sixth grade level. Do not confuse this all new book with its predecessor (4th edition). This book is twice the size of the old version and includes step by step instructions for implementing the program as intended by its creator, Romalda Spalding. You can't beat the price either. Other guide books exist to use with the WRTR, but it would be a waste of your money to purchase them. Stick with the original and best! Although the program may seem difficult to implement at first, it is worth the time and effort and will repay your diligence many times over - stick with it and enjoy the benefits. I can't say enough good things about this program. If you're looking for an effective and lasting program to teach your children to read (and spell and write), do yourself a favor and purchase The Writing Road to Reading. For more information on this program, including detailed sample lesson plans, visit www.spalding.org
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