Controlled Phonetic Reading

CPR (Controlled Phonetic Reading) is an Orton-Gillingham-based reading curriculum that includes a variety of FUN, HANDS-ON lessons specifically designed for 1st through 3rd grade students who struggle with reading. This innovative program introduces phonograms in the order of their frequency in the English language instead of alphabetically, allowing students to master the most commonly-used letter sounds first. Only ONE new phonogram is introduced in each lesson until all the letters/sounds of the alphabet are taught in the first book and the primary phonetic letter combinations are completed in the second. The CPR Program is designed to target phonetic instruction to small reading groups through simple, easy-to-follow, 15-20 minute reading lessons that teach the sounds of letters/letter combinations through the use of corresponding phonetic stories. Students stay motivated by playing fun games with provided word cards from each story and by multi-sensory activities that change every five minutes. Artistic representations of each letter sound are also included and can be used for motivation or a project-based assessment. Moreover, parental involvement is encouraged through provided phonetic stories and speed drills that students can take home daily. Finally, CPR includes a reading readiness test and flashcards to ensure mastery.

About the Author

Hello, My name is Melissa Hanson, and I am both a certified teacher and a mom that homeschooled three children who struggled with reading and spelling. In fact, my son was identified in the public school system as dyslexic and put into a special education room where he ended up being bullied! Right then and there, I determined to go back and get the educational training I needed to help my son learn to read! This began a long journey that resulted in the development of a phonetic reading program that would introduce only three letters in the first story and continue adding one letter sound at a time in each story that followed until all the alphabet, as well as the multi-letter phonograms, could be mastered. The Controlled Phonetic Reading Program is the blessing that blossomed from the trials of teaching my own children how to succeed in school! Currently, all of my kids have either graduated from college or are in the process—and yes—ALL of them learned to be honor roll students because the CPR Program gave them the strong phonetic skills needed to become proficient readers. CPR has truly breathed new life into our family’s success in reading, and I am confident that it will do the same in yours!

1. Over 25 years of instructional experience spanning homeschool, elementary, high school, and college
2. B.S. degrees in Elementary Education and Secondary English
3. Trained Reading Specialist in Alphabetic Phonics, using an Orton-Gillingham approach for teaching dyslexic students
4. Author of a variety of published books, including the Controlled Phonetic Reading Program.