The Third Edition
A third edition of Reading Milestones is currently underway. Levels 1-3 have been completed and Levels 4-6 are in press. Revisions made in the third edition were based on recent research, new practices in reading, and feedback from users of the series. Significant changes were made to teacher's guides, and a new spelling component was added to the program. An update kit is available for those currently using Levels 1-3.
Methodology
Many students with hearing impairments and other special language needs experience a significant gap between their language base and the materials they are given to read. Reading Milestones was designed and constructed to minimize this gap by beginning with the simplest possible language to ensure initial success in reading and by increasing language acquisition (vocabulary, syntax, figurative language). Students work in very small steps, accompanied by constant reinforcement, to ensure continuing success.
Vocabulary, language structures, and comprehension skills are introduced in small and constantly reinforced increments. The vocabulary was drawn from several high frequency word lists (including the Dolch Basic Sight Word List). All the essential comprehension skills-literal, inferential, evaluative, and critical reading skills-are introduced and practiced in workbook activities. Chunking (the separation of phrases by several spaces) is specifically used in the first three levels to aid in processing units larger than single words. Reading Milestones begins at the most basic language level. The program introduces vocabulary, syntax, and idiomatic language in very small steps and reinforces this learning before introducing new materials.
The instructional design used in Reading Milestones provides educators-especially beginning teachers-with sufficient information to make the reading series a self-contained program. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for teaching each story are provided in an easy-to-use format.
