DSS Right Brain Decoding, Phonics and Spelling Program 

Dayboro State School’s Right Brain Decoding, Phonics and Spelling Program was developed by a previous Learning Support Teacher at our school, Trudy Brooks, and is implemented in all classes from Prep to Year 3. All teacher aides have also been trained to work with students on this program.

Trudy developed the Right Brain program in consultation with James Cook University when she was studying why some children struggled to learn to read. The program uses a problem-solving approach to develop students’ understanding of how the English alphabet system works. This understanding enhances students’ decoding and spelling ability and is a precursor to the Spelling Program used in Years 4-6.

The core of this program is explicit teaching, to distinguish each sound first, using pictures, and then attaching a letter or letters to that sound. It is essential in Prep that students learn to identify, discriminate, blend and manipulate sounds. A different sound is focused on each week from Prep to Year 3 and regular assessment occurs to track student progress.

All parents and carers are invited to an after-school Information Session on our Right Brain Decoding and Phonics program in Week 4 on Monday, 10 May at 3:10 pm in the LEAP room. Please phone the school office to leave your name if you are interested in attending.

Regards, Linda Smith

Head of Department (Curriculum)