The Early Learning Skills Builder (ELSB) program is a research-based, language-rich curriculum for children ages 5 to 10 with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, including autism.
The ELSB program incorporates systematic instruction to teach both print and phonemic awareness. It is a multi-year program with seven distinct levels and ongoing assessments so students progress at their own pace.
Moe the frog puppet and his corresponding stories make ELSB student friendly. Going beyond using sight words this program relies on systematic phonics instruction.
The goal of ELSB is to develop the skills and behaviors children need to succeed in a standard reading program.
KEY FEATURES
» Phonics plus sight word instruction
» Accommodates students who communicate nonverbally
» Scripted lessons
» Linked to general education standards
» Ideal for one-on-one or small group instruction
» A fun, age-appropriate curriculum
CRITICAL COMPONENTS
» Phonemic awareness
» Alphabetic understanding
» Vocabulary
» Comprehension
» Accuracy/fluency of connected text
BASED ON RESEARCH
» 128 studies on reading and disabilities
» Strongly supports systematic instruction
» Ample evidence of sight word success
The ELSB is a great long-term investment that motivates students to participate in reading activities, just like their friends without disabilities. The program has seven distinct levels, each with five structured lessons. All students begin at Level One. Students who struggle with Level One, are administered Level A. Each level includes a scripted Teacher’s Manual, Student Materials and Student Assessments. Scripted lessons, combined with the Getting Started DVD provide a quick and effective method to learn how to use ELSB and why it works. It helps both experienced and inexperienced teachers, paraprofessionals, and classroom volunteers to use ELSB. You can set up small groups or teach ELSB one-on-one. Lessons are taught in two daily 30-minute sessions. Direct instruction is a proven technique for teaching reading to students with learning disabilities. When mastery is demonstrated, move to the next level. Students can be promoted to the school’s standard reading program when they successfully complete Level Seven. The series is also developed so that students who do not master all levels still acquire literacy skills with lifelong use such as gaining meaning from stories that are read, acquiring new vocabulary, and recognizing words and phrases.
A great feature of the Early Literacy Skills Builder is all responses have been developed for either verbal responding or nonverbal responding. Modify the teaching to accommodate alternative response modes such as AAC devices or eye gaze boards. For example, nonverbal students may use assistive technology, pointing, or eye gazing to make target responses. Ongoing data collection allows students to progress at a comfortable pace. It is great for writing measurable IEPs which help new staff learn how to implement the program. The program is linked to general education standards and encourages inclusive activities as well as provides access to the general curriculum. Developed for children ages 5 through 10 it focuses on literacy at the appropriate age. The ELSB gives all children an opportunity to learn literacy skills, including those with moderate to severe disabilities and children with autism.
A comprehensive Getting Started DVD which covers the essentials of ELSB is included. The DVD covers research foundations, getting started, objective sequence and includes student/teacher interactions and teacher interviews.
Reproducible resources provided as PDF files include assessment forms, flashcards, communication cues, All About Moe templates and Building with Stories Lesson Plans. Also included are PDF files of All About Moe and Oh My, Apple Pie stories, plus JPG files of illustrations from the stories.
Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) is a powerful curriculum for students with significant developmental disability, including autism, who need to develop the foundations of literacy (conventions of print, phonemic awareness, letter-sound correspondence, and some sight word vocabulary). ELSB also develops vocabulary knowledge while supporting comprehension and writing awareness. It incorporates scripted lessons, prompting strategies, assistive technology suggestions, and ongoing assessments. The eight ELSB levels each include five structured lessons. All students begin at Level 1, but students who are not responding to pictures begin at Level A.
Lessons are taught daily in small groups (or one-to-one) for the skill-building objectives. An additional story-based lesson (usually presented later in the day) using literature from the students’ grade level, helps students generalize the skills and gives them access to general education curricula. At the completion of each level, formal assessments are given. Levels are repeated until mastery is achieved.
ELSB is a blended curriculum. It seamlessly integrates print materials with software and everything you need to implement this multiyear literacy curriculum is included.
KEY FEATURES
- Is thoroughly researched
- Provides a multiyear curriculum
- Develops foundational literacy skills
- Includes student response options for verbal or nonverbal responding
- Provides scripted lessons
- Includes a DVD training video
- Integrates software to simplify instruction and progress monitoring