Colonel Tortoise's Choice: Level Three Activities for Targeted Revisualisation

The activities in this book are designed to develop working memory for individual words and words in sequence. This is done by use of a method which combines phonological referencing, phonic analysis and revisualisation.

The method is called targeted revisualisation as it targets high risk words drawn from graded phonically based materials for developing writing and spelling fluency. The method is applied repetitively, based on the theories of automaticity proposed by the Russian neuropsychologist Alexander Luria.

Targeted revisualisation is implemented in fifteen steps, which are summarised in each of the ten activities in the book. The fifteen steps involve the child in both written language and computer-based activities with material which increases in difficulty, with the aim of teaching the child how to revisualiseand remember words and sequences of words.

As targeted revisualisation is based on based on use of phonic analysis in combination with mental imagery, it is most effective when applied in conjunction with systematic phonic teaching. Optimal results are also obtained when the method and materials are used as part of a multivariate intervention which focuses on the development of reading fluency side by side with writing and spelling fluency.

The materials in the book form part of Dr Charles Potter’s Reading Fluency Programme, which has been developed to improve reading, writing and spelling abilities based on up to date research and literature. Each activity in the book involves work with phonological referencing to teach the child how establish the letters used in to represent the vowels and consonants in written words, and to link these to the sounds made when words are spoken orally, work with phonic analysis of individual words and sequences of written words using a Seven Vowel Phonic Analysis System, which aims to make the letters used to represent the vowels in words logical and transparent, and work with revisualisation to develop sequential working memory for words, sentences and paragraphs.

The book form part of a graded activity-based series of materials and methods which are designed to be used to develop fluency in reading, writing and spelling. The materials and methods have been successful with a large number of children of different ages and different cultural backgrounds. Results on the programme have been published internationally, and these publications are available free online via the Intech platform or via Researchgate.

Dr Charles Potter’s Reading Fluency Programme is evidence-based, and online support is provided to users. As the methods used are novel and also involve a step-by-step sequence in implementation, it is also helpful to talk to the network of people who have used the programme successfully. If you make contact with me by email, I can provide you with further information about the programme. I can also provide you with an illustrated manual to enable effective use of this book in developing phonic skills as the basis for writing and spelling fluency, as well as with additional materials to support your child’s reading, writing, spelling and learning needs.