Learning Signs to Decode Words
The strategy of signing phonetic sounds has been field-tested with
children and adults from a variety of backgrounds in various settings,
including one-on-one and large-group instruction in public and private
schools - and among home-schooled children and private tutorials. With
certain modifications determined by the needs of the child, the program
is effective with all populations and in any environment.
Research shows that the signing strategy has been successful in meeting
the original goal of the program - to build a bridge between the printed
symbols and the speech sounds they represent quickly. Children move
almost immediately from learning
the signs to using them to decode unfamiliar words.
Children who have been taught this strategy frequently are observed
using their hands to decode words when reading for pleasure and when
reading from Science and Social Studies texts during silent reading and
oral recitations.
Notably, many children discontinue using the signs once they have
mastered the decoding process.
Direct Benefits for Educators:
- Less Effort….Better Results: Most children of first-grade
age or older learn all 44 signs in two to three 30-minute sessions.
Children can quickly learn the signs and put them into practice
immediately.
- Perfect for Active, Fidgeting Students. Because the signing
inherent in the strategy interjects movement into the reading process,
many very active students demonstrate the ability and the desire to
read for longer blocks of time when using the hand signs.
- Boys and ADHD Students: Benefits to boys and ADHD students
are immediate and dramatic. These groups of students have demonstrated
the most immediate positive reaction to and appear to have derived the
greatest benefits from the hand signs.
- Shifts responsibility from Teacher to Student: When
confronted with an unfamiliar word, beginning readers sometimes stare
at an object or look intently at their teachers, waiting for help. By
reminding the child to sign the word the teacher is saying, "You have
the power to read this word by yourself."
- Children Enjoy using the Hand Signs: Many students view the
signs as a special sign language or "secret code." They come to enjoy
identifying the "special" signs and chunks of words. As a result, the
learn to look at the entire word rather than guessing the word based
on initial consonant or syllable.
- Sign Cues Students' Thought Process: Children typically
reveal very few clues as to what they are thinking as they gaze at an
unfamiliar word. The behaviors involved in the signing process provide
the teacher with insight into what mental processes are taking place in
the child's mind.
Testimonials from Educators:
Having you visit my students and me made my year. I have been a
Tucker Signs believer for many years, so seeing you in my classroom was
almost too good to be true. I have posted the pictures from your visit on
my website, www.dawnealexander.com. I am grateful to you for your
continued commitment to children, parents, and educators.
You are amazing!
-Dawn E. Alexander, M.Ed., Wilmington, Delaware
My first grade teachers had to rewrite their yearly plans because the
students who come to them from kindergarten teachers using Tucker Signs
are too advanced for their former plans. What a wonderful problem to
have! -Elementary School Principal, Valdosta, Georgia
I have trained 2 separate groups of low average students in the
Tucker Signs. Now, they are reading anything I put on the board to
sign. Their grades have improved tremendously in science and history,
for they can now read the materials. - Special education teacher,
Accomack County, Virginia
The Tucker Signing Strategies have breathed new life into my career.
I was set to retire, but now plan to teach for at least one more year
so I can use this approach. It will enable me to make the kind of
difference that I always wanted to make. I can't wait. -Middle
grades teacher, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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