The Spalding Approach
The Spalding Approach
Teachers who are familiar with the research upon which Spalding is based are better able to
understand the rationale for the structure and routines of the program. The instructional design of
The Spalding Method is based upon widely accepted research in the following four domains:
Phonemic Awareness Research Spalding Approach
The understanding that spoken words and syllables consist of
sequences of elementary speech sounds is a powerful predictor
of success in learning to read (Adams 1990). Research findings
demonstrate that phonemic awareness is more highly related
to learning to read than are tests of general intelligence,
reading readiness, and listening comprehension (Stanovich
1986, 1993). Furthermore, it is the most important core and
causal factor separating normal and disabled readers (Share
and Stanovich 1995); and it is equally important in learning
to spell (Ehri and Wilce 1987; Treiman 1985, 1993). Phonemic
awareness instruction is strongest when the sounds are
presented with the symbols (Ball and Blachman 1991; Byrne
and Fielding-Barnsley 1993, 1995; Hatcher, Hulme and Ellis
1994).
In The Spalding Method, children are explicitly taught
phoneme manipulation tasks such as isolating, segmenting, and
blending phonemes, identifying beginning, ending, and medial
sounds, and substituting phonemes in spoken words. Children
are also taught the symbols that represent the speech sounds.
Letter Recognition Research The Spalding Approach
Letter recognition is the ability to group features into patterns,
automatically recognizing letters as wholes. Previously, poor
readers’ errors with letter orientation were often considered
signs of neurological dysfunction or immaturity. Yet, Adams
(1990) notes:
Spatial Placement Research The Spalding Approach
The spatial placement process enables the reader to recognize
or anticipate where particular letters are likely to be located
(Farnham-Diggory 1992). This knowledge enhances children’s
ability to spell and read. For example, they learn that the letter
y most frequently occurs at the ends of words.
Sentence Structures The Spalding Approach
(Syntactic Process) Research
When children arrive at school, they need direct instruction in
the written structure of the English language, including parts
of speech, word order, and rules of capitalization, punctuation,
and grammar. In her book Speech to Print, Dr. Louisa Cook
Moats (2000), Director of an Early Intervention NICHD-funded
Project, states:
Text Comprehension The Spalding Approach
(Semantic Process) Research
The NRP Report (2000) stated that text comprehension is
enhanced when readers:
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Actively connect ideas in print to their prior knowledge
and experiences;
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Reason strategically when their comprehension breaks
down.
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Monitoring comprehension and the identification
of unfamiliar words, phrases, or sentences;
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Making connections both within the text and with
prior knowledge while reading;
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Making predictions based upon prior knowledge
and details already gathered from text;
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Reformatting of text details to categorize
information; and
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Summarizing information to confirm stated or
derive implied main ideas.
Domain #2: Principles of Reading Development
The late Dr. Jeanne Chall (1983) observed that the facts of beginning reading fit a developmental rather than a
single process. This suggests that readers are doing different things in relation to printed matter at each successive
stage. Analysis of school results, laboratory experiments, and clinical findings indicate that the first task in learning
to read is learning the relation between sounds and letters - decoding.
Teachers who know the developmental stages of reading are able to plan lessons that meet students’ instructional
needs at each stage. Chall identified four stages in the reading development process:
Chall notes that the ages or grade levels associated with each stage are approximations to identify where the
instructional emphasis typically takes place. In many schools, Stage 1 begins in kindergarten.
Chall Stage 0: Prereading Spalding Approach
From birth to kindergarten, children develop three types of
knowledge. First, they learn a basic vocabulary to describe
persons, places, things, events, and procedures in their
environment. They develop a range of knowledge (facts and
concepts) about letters, words, books, and the world around
them. During these years, children also develop communication
skills. The foundation for all communication is the ability to
describe people and events and the facts and concepts they have
learned. Students who have traveled, been read to extensively,
or have watched educational television, have an advantage.
They have an extended vocabulary and quite a range of
knowledge upon which to draw. Research has shown that the
abilities, knowledge, and skills acquired during the Prereading
Stage are substantially related to success with reading at Stage 1.
Although the first 700 words in the Extended Ayres list are
in the spoken vocabulary of most preschool children, The
Spalding Method provides procedures for teaching the meaning
and usage of unfamiliar words.
Chall Stage 1: Decoding Spalding Approach
The essential aspect of Stage 1 is learning the relationship
between spoken sounds in words and the written symbols
representing those sounds. Children learn to identify letters
that represent speech sounds, to recognize differences between
similar words (bun/bug) and to know when they have made a
mistake. Experimental research has indicated that children go
through phases in making oral reading errors (Biemiller 1970).
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Chall Stage 2: Confirmation and Fluency Spalding Approach
Chall described Stage 2 as a consolidation of what is learned
through reading familiar print and what is already known
to the reader. By reading familiar stories, children can
concentrate on the print because the content is known to
them. This enables them to move beyond accuracy to fluency
(automaticity.) During stages 1 and 2, most new information
is still learned through listening, observing, and through
the muscular (kinesthetic) sense because the instructional
emphasis is on learning to read. Emphasis means that extra
time is allotted to the skills that need to be mastered at this
stage, however, it does not mean other skills are ignored.
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Chall Stage 3: Reading for Information Spalding Approach
In Stages 1 and 2, children learn to connect speech to print. In Second-grade and older children are pre-tested at the beginning
Stage 3, they learn to connect print to ideas. Thus, the emphasis of each grade to determine where to begin instruction. The
shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. At this stage primary instructional emphasis shifts from listening to reading
children read for information. Chall pointed out that the comprehension.
importance of prior knowledge becomes apparent at this stage.
What a student already knows is the most important element Expository text structure is an important focus at this stage.
in what he or she is able to learn. In addition, children also Children are explicitly taught to use the five mental actions
need to learn a process for finding information in a paragraph, to comprehend text. They also learn basic research skills, e.g.,
chapter, or book. note-taking to identify essential information to determine stated
or implied main idea(s), and summarizing text.
At the beginning of this stage, learning by reading is still less
efficient than learning by listening and observing. But by
eighth grade, the efficiency of reading should equal and begin
to surpass the other means of gaining information.
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Domain #3: Principles of Skill Learning
Over the past hundred years, much research has been devoted to the development of skill learning. Scientific
literature includes laboratory studies of every type of skill and studies of the development of each in everyday life -
from athletes to business entrepreneurs. Farnham-Diggory (1992) notes:
“Skill-acquisition in any field appears to include learning phases of three fundamental types:
analysis, practice to the point of automaticity, and attention-management. When you learn a skill, you
go in and out of these phases repeatedly…You cannot be in more than one of these learning phases
at the same time…Each phase of skill learning has its own logical requirements, and they are not
interchangeable.” (Farnham-Diggory 1992, 89).
PRACTICE TO ATTENTION
AUTOMATICITY MANAGEMENT
TASK
ANALYSIS
The following outlines each skill learning phase and how it is incorporated within The Spalding Method as explained
by Dr. Farnham-Diggory:
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The Analytical Phase (Task Analysis) Spalding Approach
During the analytical phase, children examine what is
involved in the task, clarify, and connect new learning to
what is already learned.
Effective teaching divides each new task into its parts. After
each subtask has been sequenced, each is then taught directly.
Teachers have children analyze and explain the parts and how
they fit together to promote concept and skill mastery.
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Practice to the Point of Automaticity Spalding Approach
Farnham-Diggory noted that basic, or first-order subskills,
must be automatic so that there is enough working memory
available to focus on second- or third-order subskills. For this
to occur, practice must be “well beyond the point where the
action feels smooth and efficient” (Farnham-Diggory 1992, 92).
Psychologists call this overlearning, and it involves actually
programming a part of the brain called the cerebellum to
carry out an action automatically.
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Attention Management Spalding Approach
When routines become automated, space becomes available in
working memory to choose among them. How these choices
are made is an important part of learning any skill. Farnham-
Diggory (1992) explains:
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Domain #4: Principles of Effective Instruction
A successful model of instruction takes into consideration the nature of learning, how curricula should be organized,
how classrooms should be managed, and what constitutes achievement. Dr. Allan Collins and his colleagues
developed a cognitive apprenticeship model that provides an integrated theory of education. This highly effective
instructional delivery system involves students in every lesson; makes lessons more meaningful; and develops
students’ critical thinking skills.
“The…six teaching methods fall roughly into three groups: the first three (modeling, coaching,
and scaffolding) are the core of cognitive apprenticeship, designed to help students acquire an
integrated set of cognitive and metacognitive skills through processes of observation and of guided
and supported practice. The next two (articulation and reflection) are methods designed to help
students both to focus their observations of expert problem solving and to gain conscious access
to (and control of) their own problem solving strategies. The final method (exploration) is aimed at
encouraging learner autonomy not only in carrying out expert problem solving processes, but also
in defining or formulating the problems to be solved.” (Collins et. al., 1989, p. 481).
TEACHER STUDENT
BEHAVIORS BEHAVIORS
• Modeling • Articulation
• Coaching • Reflection
• Scaffolding and • Exploration
Fading
The following further details each of the six Collins-based principles of instruction
incorporated within The Spalding Method:
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Modeling Spalding Approach
Collins notes that when modeling, an expert carries out a task
“so that students can observe and build a conceptual model of
the processes that are required to accomplish the task” (Collins
et al. 1989, 22). This holds true for tasks that are concrete
and observable as well as cognitive tasks such as reasoning,
problem solving, knowledge retrieval, and decision-making. It
is the teacher’s job to make these tasks visible by thinking out
loud.
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Coaching Spalding Approach
As soon as children attempt the task, the transition from
modeling to coaching begins. When coaching, the teacher
guides, prompts, and provides feedback as the student performs
a task, or part of one. The goal is to bring the performance of
the novice closer to that of the expert. During the coaching
phase, the teacher guides and supervises practice to the point
of automaticity. The teacher provides specific feedback, telling
students exactly where they departed from the model.
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Scaffolding and Fading Spalding Approach
In instructional terms, a scaffold is a support system. When
scaffolding, the teacher provides support because novice
learners are not yet able to independently perform the task.
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Articulation Spalding Approach
Students verbalize the principles, rules, or situations underlying
knowledge use. This process can take place through dialogues,
critiques, or summaries. It is well-known in learning theory
that verbalization aids transfer to new situations. As children
put their understanding into words, they learn to generalize
more efficiently and to discover principles they did not
understand before.
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Reflection Spalding Approach
Reflection involves comparing one’s own performance on
motor tasks, problem solving skills, and thinking processes to
those of another. The learner tries to identify key principles
and features. This instructional technique frequently utilizes
technology that replays students’ performance and permits
what Collins et. al. (1987) term abstracted replay. Children’s
reflections become more detailed as they become more adept at
self-analysis.
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Exploration Spalding Approach
Finally, after students have received direct instruction and
sufficient practice, they are pushed into applying their new
skills to new domains. They must figure out how and when
their skills are relevant, and also must take ownership of the
outcomes. Farnham-Diggory stated that:
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