Richards Learning Systems®
The History Behind the Program
In the 1930’s, a neurologist named Dr. Samuel Orton studied dyslexia. He and two teachers, Anna Gillingham and Bessie Stillman, studied the English language and identified a system within it. Dr. Orton’s systematic, multi-sensory phonics method is an explicit organized structure of sounds, syllables, and word patterns that give students a method to identify unfamiliar words.
The multi-sensory Richards Learning Systems® is based on Dr. Orton’s research, to which Carole added writing and fiction and nonfiction reading comprehension. Richards Learning Systems includes all of the National Reading Panel recommendations for literacy instruction, including:
- Phonemic Awareness
- Systematic Phonics
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
Many very bright children and adults have difficulty learning English language skills. Many people struggle with reading, but perform well and even excel in other activities — like math, sports, mechanics or the arts. These children and adults learn by doing. Richards Learning Systems® (RLS) utilizes multi-sensory techniques and systematic phonics to learn and improve language skills.
Richards Learning Systems® WORKS!
RLS is effective with different learning styles and learning disabilities. By encouraging and supporting individual success, the program builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Students struggling with other reading approaches find success with Richards Learning Systems®.
What is Richards Learning Systems®?
Forty-four sounds
Five patterns of vowels and consonants
Seven syllable rules
Students start with little more and then move to bigger words by breaking them into smaller pieces. The exercises and reading activities control the words used so students apply their newly learned concepts to words “fitting the rules”. These exercises develop both reading and spelling skills simultaneously. Once students have learned all of the Richards Learning Systems concepts, they practice their newly learned skills by applying them to words like “archaeologist” and “psychology”.
problem solving skills
how to build vocabulary
decoding, spelling, reading comprehension and fluency
The NorTech Innovation Award
In recognition of her outstanding educational innovation as author of Richards Learning Systems®,
Carole Richards and North Coast Education Services were awarded the NorTech Innovation Award in 2001.
Usually this award is presented to companies for innovative mechanical, electrical and electronic devices.
It was most unusual for an author of intellectual properties to have been recognized by NorTech.
