As an upper elementary self contained teacher, Edmark is the reading program I use for most of my students. This whole-word reading program helps students master a variety of common and functional words. Curious about how Edmark works? Keep reading to find out all about it!
What is Edmark?
The Edmark Reading Program is a word recognition program for teaching students who have struggled to learn to read. Over the course of levels 1 and 2 of the program, students will learn to recognize and read 350 words, plus word endings. In addition to those levels, there is also a Functional Word Series. Those books cover safety signs, fast food and grocery words, and job-related words.
Who is Edmark for?
Edmark is a reading program designed for students who struggle with phonics. Students with autism, English Language Learners, and those with intellectual and learning disabilities, can all benefit from the program.
I decide whether to use Edmark with a student – and what level to start with – based on several factors. IEP goals/PLAAFPs from previous teachers, their ability to discriminate words in a field, and number of currently known words are all taken into consideration. For students who are already proficient readers, I focus more on a comprehension, plus exposure to the functional words series. If a student has trouble memorizing words, I focus on phonics/phonemic awareness instruction instead, paired with exposure to sight words.
Kit Components
The Edmark Level 1 and Level 2 kits contain everything you need to use the program in class. Included in the kit is a program overview book, the mastery test, lesson record books, word recognition books containing all lessons, phrase match activities, books of stories that correspond to the lessons, reading games, and certificates of completion. Newer kits have online access to ASL words signs. (I have an older version with a CD-Rom.) The Functional Word Series kits are smaller than the Level 1 and 2 kits, but contain similar materials.
In addition to the kits, Edmark also offers an online program. There are also supplemental items such as homework, spelling, and take-home readers.
Using the Edmark Program
My students work on their Edmark lessons with me during reading centers. If I am working with a dyad, one student will do a reading worksheet or task box while the other reads. Then, they switch. After each student reads their lesson page, we either play a game or read a story and work on the related questions.
Throughout the school day, I also try to incorporate sight word practice in fun ways, like scavenger hunts or games. This helps students to practice and retain known words. It also exposes students who are not using Edmark to some of the vocabulary.
Additionally, I believe in the importance of exposing ALL students to phonics. So, in addition to my Edmark lessons, I incorporate daily phonics exposure. Activities such as sound boxes and phonics task box activities help kids practice phonics concepts.
Comprehension
The Edmark program has several comprehension components. There are picture-matching boards; phrase-matching cards; and stories made up of known-words that have corresponding questions. I present at least one of these activities to students after each word lesson.
However, comprehension is an area where many of our self contained students struggle. Therefore, I incorporate several other forms of comprehension tasks during our reading block. I use novels and related comprehension questions as a whole-group activity. Additionally, my students do comprehension work with paraprofessionals during reading centers using the Simple Comprehension stories. The free Simple Comprehension: Kindness story is a favorite!
Mastery
When students reach the end of one of the Edmark kits, they are given a mastery test. This assessment checks for mastery of words through word discrimination, picture comprehension, and oral reading. The mastery test gives the teacher a good idea of whether students are ready to move on to the next kit, and what deficits they may still have. For example, when I assessed one of my students on Edmark Level 2, I was able to see that they needed more work on word endings such as -ed and -ing. This helps me plan future instruction and inform student goals
What questions do you have about the Edmark reading program? Are you using it in your classroom? I would love to hear your thoughts!
