Helping Children to Read - Alpha-Mania Senior
Class Prerequisites
- Identify the names and sounds of all the letters of the alphabet
- Demonstrate simple rhyming skills
- Blend sounds together
Alpha-Mania Senior is an early reading program for children ages 4.5 to 5.5 who are ready to take the next steps into reading. This creative play program is designed for those who have already mastered pre-reading concepts such as identifying the names and sounds of all the letters of the alphabet, simple rhyming, and blending of sounds. Alpha-Mania Senior classes lead children to confidently read small words and short sentences independently. Through Alpha-Mania Senior’s unique themes, the program teaches early reading strategies, high frequency words, sentence composition and correct letter formation, and it inspires confidence and reading success. Through activities, songs, stories and crafts, Senior Alpha-Maniacs develop skills and self-assurance that prepares them for meaningful classroom experiences. As with Alpha-Mania, Alpha-Mania Senior is based on thorough research and taught by certified teachers trained to encourage every student.
Senior Alpha-Maniacs attend lessons once a week during the school year, offered on weekdays and weekends. Alpha-Mania Senior can also be taught in your home for private groups.
Who should join this class?
Children 4.5 to 5.5 years old are encouraged to join this class. Students must be able to identify the names and sounds of all the letters of the alphabet, demonstrate simple rhyming skills, and blend sounds together.
Must my child complete Alpha-Mania before joining Alpha-Mania Senior?
No. If your child meets the prerequisites outlined in the previous question, they are welcome to join.
What are the Alpha-Mania pre-reading and reading programs?
All Alpha-Mania programs are based on Phonological Awareness research and on the five predictors of reading success. The emphasis for all three programs is on experiencing and fostering the joy of language and reading. Each level of Alpha-Mania is designed to build a strong foundation of phonological awareness and abilities in order to develop skilled, confident, and avid readers. All three levels are taught through creative play, songs, and crafts, while preparing and supporting children for the rigors of a classroom setting.
What is the difference between Phonological Awareness and Phonemic Awareness?
Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between them.
Phonological Awareness is an umbrella term referring to the ability to recognize, reflect on, and manipulate the sounds in oral language. This includes skills such as rhyming, syllabication, and identifying onsets and rimes.
Phonemic Awareness is one type of phonological awareness that focuses on hearing and manipulating the individual sounds within words. This includes the skills of blending, segmenting, counting and manipulating phonemes.
Why are Phonological and Phonemic Awareness important?
Children who have developed the understanding that words can be segmented into sounds tend to be better readers than those with poor phonological and phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is not a concept that all children discover on their own, however, when children are taught to analyze the individual sounds in words, they can more quickly and accurately connect those sounds to letters and then blend groups of sounds into words when reading. Studies have shown that phonemic awareness skills are often deficient in children who struggle in learning to read and write.
For more information, we recommend consulting:
Early Reading Strategy: The Report of the Expert Panel on Early Reading in Ontario, 2003.
The Phonological Awareness Handbook for Kindergarten and Primary Teachers, Lita Ericson and Moira Juliebo, 2000.
The Roots of Learning to Read and Write: Acquisition of Letters and Phonemic Awareness, Linnea C. Ehri and Theresa Roberts, 2006.
How are the Alpha-Mania programs taught?
Each level of Alpha-Mania employs creative play as the main teaching tool, instilling the joy of letters and words. Interactive activities create dynamic learning experiences for children in all levels of the programs. The main lesson of each class is presented according to a Direct Instruction pedagogy. This highly effective instructional method involves the explicit teaching of concepts in a strategic and systematic method. This approach greatly enhances student understanding of the concepts presented, and allows for the mastery of new skills. In addition, dynamic themes such as pirates, construction, and detectives enhance each set of lessons.
Is the program the same every semester?
No. Each semester features several different themes, words and key concepts. This means that Senior Alpha-Maniacs who come for more than one session will have a unique experience every semester.
Are children expected to be reading at the end of Alpha-Mania Senior?
Yes. Alpha-Mania Senior is designed to lead children to read small words and short sentences confidently and independently. We focus on the building blocks for good reading habits by teaching early reading strategies, high frequency words, sentence composition and correct letter formation in order to inspire confidence and reading success.
What are the teachers’ specific qualifications?
Each Alpha-Mania Senior instructor is a certified teacher with B.Ed or M.Ed certification and experience in early childhood education.
Can I stay with my child during the program?
No. Alpha-Mania Senior is a drop-off program designed to encourage independence and foster positive classroom habits.
What does an Alpha-Mania Senior lesson involve?
All Alpha-Mania Senior lessons are comprised of the following key interactive components:
- Circle Time - introduction to the word of the day
- High Frequency Word Activities - introduction to reading and spelling of high frequency words
- Phonological Awareness Activities - development of skills including identifying sound positions, sound separation, and sound manipulation
- Printing Practice - exercising correct pencil grip, and the mechanics of correct letter formation
In addition to these unique elements, Alpha-Mania Senior classes include crafts and stories, selected to engage students in the dynamic theme of the day.
What is the program's cost?
Click here to view the schedule, pricing and enrol online
How can I register?
Click here to view the schedule and enrol online or call us at 416.925.1225
Is Alpha-Mania Senior available for license?
Alpha-Mania Senior is available by licensing agreement to educational institutions, daycares, preschools and other educators. Click here to learn about Licensing Opportunities
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