The Edmark Reading Program teaches beginning reading and language development to nonreaders and those who have been unsuccessful using other programs. Using a whole word approach, both the print and software versions teach recognition and comprehension of words for students with developmental or learning disabilities and ESL students.

Students find success following a process that teaches sight recognition of a word, introduces its meaning, provides comprehension practice, and uses the word in story context. Carefully-planned introduction of words and evolution of sentence structure also promote language development.

Learning Opportunities Suggested Uses 200 words from Dolch Word List and early elementary readers. Reinforcement of 150 words learned in Level 1. Compound words. Words, sentences, and phrases. Vocabulary expansion. Thinking and discrimination skills. Combined words for meaning. Reading practice. Association between oral language and print. For students who have successfully completed Level 1 but are not yet ready for a more traditional reading approach. For students or clients with developmental disabilities. For students or clients with learning disabilities. For Title 1 students struggling with phonics approaches. For ESL students, for experience with oral vocabulary and word meaning.