The Cruelest Hoax of All: Beginning Reading Instruction

Fakeologist.com Forums The Big Picture The Cruelest Hoax of All: Beginning Reading Instruction

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #207902
    Avatar photoWillard
    Participant

    No self-respecting Fakeologist site would be complete without a post on, IMHO, the greatest hoax of all time Beginning Reading Instruction. Unlike other hoaxes where no one is harmed, in this one millions of school children suffer immeasurable harm. I have outlined some simple steps to understanding this cruel hoax.

    Step one: Read the seminal article by Samuel Blumenfeld, “Can Dyslexia be Artificially Induced in School? Yes , Says Researcher Ed Miller”

    Click to access miller_blumenfeld_dyslexia_.pdf

    Step Two: Become familiar with the Miller Word Identification Assessment test developed by the genius Ed Miller. Whole word dyslexia is masked by fraudulent silent reading “comprehension” tests. The MWIA presents two context-free word lists, one using holistic words (sight-words); the other, phonetically regular words. The test identifies perceptual problems in word identification. By evaluating the number and type of errors a student makes while reading the lists and the comparative speeds at which the students read the two lists of words, a tester can determine if the student is using the simultaneous\image-processing hemisphere of the brain [to subjectively guess at the word based on configuration] or the serial/auditory-processing hemisphere of the brain to objectively identify the word through sound. In order for a student to maximize his or her potential, the serial auditory-processing hemisphere must be used for reading.

    A test for elementary students:

    Click to access mwia1.pdf

    A test for secondary students.

    Click to access mwia.pdf

    Actual test: Here is the proof that Miller is right. I have given seminars and training sessions to dozens of educators. The test results stun people.

    Click to access mwia_i_sample_test.pdf

    Click to access mwia-i-sample-summary.pdf

    The child’s mind had literally been maimed. Modern MRI imaging techniques have verified what Miller’s test shows. Neurologically, the proper perceptual pathway needed for reading as been damaged. Fortunately, post MRI imaging on students who have used synthetic phonics programs like Flesch’s or Hegge-Kirk’s show that, through neuroplasticity, the damage can be repaired.

    Sample analysis

    Click to access mwia_2_word_processing.pdf

    Crucial to understanding the dynamic of this problem and its role in creating poor readers rests in the “The Reading Triangle”. Psychologist Henry Suzzallo in 1913 in The Cyclopedia of Education, Volume 3., illustrates the conflict occurring in the student’s mind.

    Click to access the-reading-triangle.pdf

    This malady was first identified by neurologist, Dr. Samuel L. Orton in his historic essay, “The “Sight Word’ Method of Teaching Reading as a Source of Reading Disability.”

    Click to access orton-sight-reading-method.pdf

    Dramatic proof that both Orton and Ed Miller were right ccurred a decade ago. Georgetown University published a study in 2003 that confirmed Dr. Orton’s hypothesis and the accuracy of the MWIA test. MRI imaging studies of the brains of poor readers determined the hemispheric problems Orton posited in his 1929 landmark essay.
    “Was Orton Right? New Study Examines How The Brain Works In Reading; Offers Key To Better Understanding Dyslexia”

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/05/030519083450.htm

    The solution to the problem of Whole Word Dyslexia is found in using the historic method beginning reading instruction: synthetic phonics. A simple, synthetic phonics program capitalizes on the neuroplasticity of the brain and rewires the perceptual pathway, allowing the student’s serial auditory-processing hemisphere to come to the fore and convert text into sound, and thus become a fluent reader. Automaticity of the phonetic reflex is guaranteed through diligent practice.
    Donald Potter’s education page provides free sample programs:

    Click to access word_mastery_typed.pdf

    Click to access reading_made_easy_with_blen.pdf

    Click to access remedial_reading_drills.pdf

    Rudolph Flesch created the classic system available in his 1955 bombshell Why Johnny Can’t Read and What you can do about it. The exercises provide the perfect model to be followed for remediation.

    Charlie Richardson presents an excellent summary of data to Yale educator Dr. Sally Shawitz that quantifies the hypothesis that I am presenting to you.
    http://www.donpotter.net/pdf/richardson-shaywitz.pdf.
    Of course, the origin of this cruel hoax can be found down the usual paths:
    Yale University, Skull and Bones, and arch villain G. Stanley Hall
    The University of Chicago; Johns Hopkins University; Harvard University and Columbia University.

    #227138

    Thank you for posting this Richard.
    Very thought-provoking.

    Whatever reality is, it's not that.

Viewing 2 posts - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
This entry was posted on by .