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About

Controlled Phonetic Reading

Controlled Phonetic Reading (CPR) is an Orton–Gillingham–based curriculum designed for 1st–3rd grade students who struggle with reading and spelling.

Instead of introducing phonograms alphabetically, CPR teaches sounds in the order of their frequency in the English language. This gives students early wins and helps them quickly build confidence.

Each CPR lesson is simple, structured, and 15–20 minutes long. Lessons introduce only ONE new sound at a time and reinforce it through a phonetic story, word-card games, and multisensory activities every 5 minutes.

Parents also receive take-home stories and speed drills for daily reinforcement.

About The Author

Meet Melissa Hanson

Certified Teacher • Reading Specialist • Curriculum Developer

For years, I’ve watched dedicated students work hard yet continue to struggle with reading. Controlled Phonetic Reading was developed to give teachers and parents a simple, systematic program that builds confidence—one sound at a time.

Her passion began at home while homeschooling her three children who struggled with reading and spelling. One of her children was identified as dyslexic and placed in a school environment where he was bullied—an experience that sparked her commitment to mastering phonetic instruction.

 

By introducing phonograms gradually and intentionally, the program allows even hesitant or reluctant readers to experience meaningful early success. Many students are able to read their very first story after mastering just three letter sounds

This method has delivered measurable results in hundreds of classrooms and homes, empowering students across the nation to become confident, capable readers—often far faster than anyone expected

Why CPR

Why CPR Works

Structured

Lessons build one step at a time with no gaps.

Sequential

Only one new phonogram introduced per lesson.

Multisensory

Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities support all learning types.

Story-Based

Every sound is reinforced through an original phonetic story.

25+ years of teaching experience

Trained Reading Specialist in Alphabetic Phonics (Orton–Gillingham)

B.S. in Secondary English

Author of multiple published reading materials

B.S. in Elementary Education

Experience across homeschool, elementary, high school, and college settings

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

CPR is specifically designed for 1st–3rd grade students, but it can also support older learners who need a solid foundation in phonics or struggle with decoding.

Not at all. CPR was created for parents, teachers, and homeschoolers. Each lesson is simple, sequential, and scripted step-by-step, making it easy to teach—even if you’re new to phonics instruction.

Most lessons take 15–20 minutes, making them ideal for small groups, homeschool sessions, intervention blocks, or one-on-one reading practice.

Yes. CPR is rooted in the Orton–Gillingham approach, which is highly effective for dyslexic and struggling readers. The program’s multisensory, incremental structure helps students progress at a comfortable pace.

The program includes phonetic stories, lesson instructions, flashcards, speed drills, word cards, multisensory activity guides, and a reading readiness test. Everything you need is included—no extra purchases required.

Experience the Difference — Start Using CPR Today

Bring a proven, structured phonetic reading system into your home or classroom. Whether you’re teaching one student or an entire group, our program gives you everything you need for measurable success.

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