Shalom Ranch Ministries

Comparison of WRTR and SWR

Writing Road to Reading (WRTR) also known as The Spalding Method and Spell to Write and Read (SWR) are both intensive phonics programs. When Wanda Sanseri wrote Teaching Reading at Home it was meant to go with the fourth edition of WRTR. Her new program Spell to Write and Read is a brand new program and no longer follows the theories that were laid out in The Spalding Method. This method can still be classified as intensive phonics and follows the principles introduced by Dr. Jeanne Chall. Both programs are defined as intensive phonics because they use the phonograms to explain the sounds of the language.

SWR still uses much of the basic methods to teach the phonograms (not the whole method). For example, she has kept the use of fingers and hands to describe sounds and syllables, she folds the pages in order to make columns and introduces phonograms fairly quickly. SWR no longer uses the Extended Ayres (EA) List as her word list, nor does she use the Morrison-McCall as a diagnostic spelling tool. She has created her own versions of both. She still maintains the McCall-Harby and McCall-Crabbs comprehension booklets and uses the intellectually superior version, as does Spalding.

WRTR is a complete language arts program whereas SWR is not. SWR concentrates on spelling with the intention to learn how to read. SWR throws in some grammar, but it is not explained explicitly. WRTR has explicit writing, grammar, composition and comprehension lessons. The two programs can no longer compliment each other. WRTR, 5th edition has changed two phonograms (for the better) and SWR has retained the original 70. Some spelling rules are different, while other rules are the same as WRTR, but numbered differently. Switching between these two programs would be almost impossible.

SWR has a different method for teaching the rule pages to primary students. They have a special log book where the student fills in the necessary word and then a place for the student’s sentence at the bottom. WRTR suggests teaching the rule pages using the block board or chart paper to primary students; the student does not do any writing for this part of the lesson. WRTR feels that the written part of rule pages for the primary log book is too advanced for a child this age. The child will be concentrating on writing the word, as opposed to paying attention to the lesson. WRTR has the older student writing the rule applications in their log books. SWR feels that the primary student needs practice in the format and can handle this amount of input.

I like the format of the WISE Guide that goes with SWR. It replaces the Extended Ayres List and contains the words that children begin to learn to read, and much more. Each word has the word and the word with the marking system, the corresponding spelling rule (if any), notes on the spelling rules, spelling enrichment, preliminary information and contextual sentences. WRTR has the word with its markings in the EA list with the corresponding spelling rule and instructional tips. WRTR instructs the teachers to compose original sentences as part of the lesson plans. SWR comes from a Christian worldview and WRTR has remained neutral in order to allow their program into many areas of our society, and thus would be hard pressed to provide the same type of sentences.

A big difference between WRTR and SWR is the debate between manuscript and cursive. SWR promotes teaching cursive first. It is sighted that the progressive education movement brought in manuscript writing and thus is the cause for many learning disabilities. Charlotte Mason, to name one, taught her students manuscript writing before progressive education was in existence. “You Can Prevent or Correct Learning Disorders” by Dr. Hilde Mosse outlines how this pioneer taught severely LD children how to read using the Spalding Method. Her results were nothing short of amazing. Dr. Mosse describes in detail how learning disabilities are inherited and created; no where does she suggest manuscript writing to be the culprit. Dr. Mosse speaks against the ball and stick method of manuscript and sites, “the Spalding Method, with its stress on direction using the clock face as a guide, is one of the best” (page 102). Children who learn cursive first and then try to learn manuscript have many more difficulties then children who learn manuscript first, with cursive second. SWR sites no studies, nor concrete evidence for teaching cursive first, whereas WRTR supports their method of manuscript writing with many documented studies.

One of the biggest debates about WRTR is daily lesson plans. SWR has no daily lesson plans. Both suggest a diagnostic method to creating lesson plans. SWR is set up on a step by step that would first appear to be chronological. It is not chronological and therefore, the parent must still figure out the method. WRTR is actually easier to understand due to its references to page numbers and dividing its program into spelling, writing and reading. SWR suggests writing up a notebook prior to teaching the method. I believe this is a good idea. Anyone who believes that they will be able to understand a method after simply reading 300+ pages of theory, not to mention another 200 pages of reference will have a most difficult time. My advice in learning the Spalding Method, short of taking the Spalding courses, is to print out my notes (www.shalomranch.org/notes.html), line up the spelling, writing and reading sections side by side and go through the program systematically. Refer to the lesson plans on www.spalding.org and the scope and sequence starting on page 442 of WRTR in order to fill in any gaps. Support is provided by Spalding and by the WRTR yahoo group.