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We had been using Letterland in the school and it wasn't working. We bought the Newell Programme for the whole school. Teachers report an improvement in reading, writing and spelling. Children have the confidence to attempt to read and write any word, by its sound. Junior infants are engaged in creative writing at the end of the year. MIST scores in senior infants, who used the programme, increased in the letter sounds, vocabulary and spelling tests. I recommend this programme to everyone I meet.

Mary Leahy, Maynooth B. N. S, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

We bought it for children attending Learning Support and Resource and for children experiencing difficulty recognising and retaining sounds. Constant reinforcement in this programme helps greatly. Phonological awareness improved as did blending, resulting in improved reading and spelling.Reading scores have improved as has the sounding out of words. Simplicity is the programme's strength, targeting one difficulty at a time and allowing the child to succeed.

Sheila Halloran, St. Paul's Junior School, Greenhills, Dublin 12.

We use the programme in Learning Support and Resource. Some children were having difficulty with sounds. Through using the actions and magic fingers, the children learned to sound out words and blend them to aid their independent reading. Some children have now "caught up" with the children in their classes. The children who used the Newell Programme from Book 1 have made steady progress. We are very happy with the improvements and I am convinced it reaches children in ways other programmes do not.

Caitriona Wallace, Cloneygowan N. S., Cloneygowan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

As a result of using the Newell Programme a 2 nd class group, in Learning Support who were very weak in their medial vowels, benefited greatly from the sounding out of C.V.C. words. Their word attack skills improved greatly. They were more confident when faced with a piece of unseen reading. Their reading percentile in Micra-Twent up by on average of 3 percentile for the group. Their end of year Schonell spelling test showed an improvement too. The structured format of the course and the constant revision meant that all areas were remediated.

Kathleen Clarke, Holy Family N.S., Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.

I bought the programme for a multiplicity of reasons. I noticed a marked improvement in basic reading and spelling. The children have learned the way to use word attack skills by sounding out and blending and the spelling of words has improved. Children generally who engage in the programme have an improved reading score, when tested. The Newell Literacy Programme, which focuses on slow methodical pronunciation of sounds and words, was of great benefit in highlighting the difficulties some children had with particular alphabetical sounds and in terms of helping me to recognise any underlying reading difficulties children had. It helped me consolidate my hunches and convictions about problem areas children had i.e. dyslexia, memory recall,hearing problems and sequential difficulties.

Patricia Fahy, Barnaderg N.S., Cummer, Tuam, Co. Galway.

I am really impressed by the Newell Programme. I use it now instead of other programmes that I used in the past. It is superb and I recommend it widely. Newell is excellent and I see the children's improvement.

Josephine Kearney, C.B.S. Primary school, Ennis, Co. Clare.

I bought the programme for all my learning support pupils and have used all the books from Book One to Book Seven. My students, who ranged from senior infants to sixth class, were poor phonetically and had low reading and spelling ages. The children's grasp of phonics has dramatically improved (the nonsense words really worked here). As a result of this, their reading scores have improved and their attitude to reading is much more positive. I am dealing with about 25 children and I would say, on average,their reading scores have improved between 6 - 12 months. The greatest change has been in their improved self-esteem and ability to tackle new words.

Oliver Nyhan, St. Mary's Infant School, Dunmanway, Co. Cork.

I bought the programme for use with first class. John, Paul and Linda (not their real names) were having problems with CVCs, particularly with the vowel sounds. Linda has since graduated! Linda started with me in September '05. Her Chronological age was 7:00 and her Reading age was 6:03 on the Marino Reading Test. By November '05 she had a reading age of 7:03 on the Micra-T.

Cristin Ui Ghiobuin, Scoil Rafteiri, Caislean and Bhorraigh, Co. Mhaigh Eo.

I am a learning support teacher. I find Newell excellent for the younger children. It really enforces the phonemic approachto reading and spelling, making it relatively easy even for the weaker children. Children understand the mechanics of reading from an early age and can "attack"any word e.

Kelly O' Connell, St. Nicholas N.S., Claddagh, Galway.

Anne Newell's reputation has gone before her throughout the whole of Ireland due to the tremendous success in literacy that the Newell literacy Programme has brought about in children using and enjoying the programme. Its well structured, phonic, multi-sensory approach makes it fun and ensures success wherever and with whomever it is used. I have been using it for six years with great success. Children's eyes light up and their faces beam as they note their own success in reading, writing and spelling. Parent's credit the increased success and confidence in their children in literacy and other curricular areas to the Newell Literacy Programme. I highly recommend the programme.

Marie Cahalan, Clonfert N.S., Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.

I bought the programme to use with children from senior infants to 3 rd class who were experiencing difficulty in reading. As a Learning Support teacher, I found it particularly effective when children are just beginning to blend their letters into syllables and words for reading. Because the programme starts with the simple blending of letters (CVC words) and progresses slowly, each child has a feeling of success. I have used it with children with dyslexia with good effect. Reading scores have improved.

Doreen Prior, The Model School, North Road, Monaghan.

I knew of Anne Newell's work in this area. I particularly wanted to target senior pupils attending Learning Support. One pupil in 5 th class needed a lot of help with word attack skills, syllabication etc. Her score on the Drumcondra Primary Reading Test has since gone up from 14 th percentile to 34 th percentile. I used the Newell Literacy Programme with her group.

Mary Murray, Termonfeckin N.S., Termonfeckin, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

We bought the programme for our special language class attached to the school. As a result the Learning Support team in the school introduced the programme to particular class groups i.e. 1 st class, junior infants. Children are more skilful and the layout allows for better progression and planning. In the overall standardised scores, the children have held their own or improved their scores in the Micra -T, which are administered to all our students. It also helped to identify mispronouncing certain sounds, letter formation and inaccurate blending of words. The programme has been a great addition in the resource teaching programme.

Pauline Tansey, Scared Heart School, Church Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

We decided by the middle of senior infants, we would start to move away from Letterland. We noticed that some children as old as 2 nd or 3 rd class "clung" onto the Letterland character. A colleague and myself attended a seminar in Dublin and were impressed with the programme and the multi-sensory approach. Senior Infant teachers are delighted with the progress of their pupils in the area of phonics, phonemic awareness and writing. We are gradually introducing it to the senior end of the school.

Kelly O' Connell, St. Nicholas N.S., Claddagh, Galway.

A I was looking for a well -laid out phonic programme to use with a weak sixth class, all boys, three of whom had major problems with reading and spelling. Reading age in this 6 th class was two years below, and in the case of three children, 3 to 4 years below their expected reading age. There has been a big improvement in reading, more confidence in attacking words and a marked improvement in spelling .

Mary Gannon, St. Patrick's N. S., Tully, Renvyle, Co. Galway.

Our target group was children with dyslexia and children with dyspraxia. These children are now reading with fluency and their word attack skills have improved.

Mary Mulligan, St. Patrick's N.S., Ballianmuck, Co. Longford.

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We used the programme with a child in 3 rd class who had problems with phonological awareness. The child's reading age has improved and his spelling age hasimproved by 5 months.".

Mary Collins, Maria Assumpta N.S., Ballyphehane, Co.Cork.

An excellent, structured programme which covers faculties in reading and spelling -teacher friendly and child friendly. Newell helps greatly with word attack skillsand confidence.Using their fingers to divide up words helped considerably when attempting blends and digraphs. Success in reading the sentences promotes enthusiasm to read. Quest test would show improvement.

Deirdre Kavanagh, Kill N.S. Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.

As the Learning Support Teacher in the school I felt that I could target the problem areas with which some of the children were having difficulties. The freedom to photocopy and make little "ai" and "oa" booklets makes life a lot easier! By allowing children to read real and nonsense words, we are focussing on short vowels, initial and final blends, diphthongs and digraphs etc. Through cloze exercises and dictation, the children become familiar with patterns in the words and have a picture of oa and ai, for example. All of this has improved the children's general reading ability .

Niamh Ni Chinneide, Gaelscoil Na nDeise, Bothar Grasta De, Port Lairge.

We use the Newell Literacy Programme in junior infants to 6 th class. We take on a whole school approach to ensure continuity. In the infant and 1 st classes the children's identification of individual sounds has improved, along with their ability to clap and spell simple words i.e. cash etc. The first class Micra-T Results have improved by 4 or 5 months reading age. In the middle and senior room, the children's spelling and ability to transcribe text has been greatly enhanced by the dictation exercises. Comprehension and grammar skills have also benefited from the Cloze procedures.

Joan O'Meara, Bishop Harty N.S., Ballinaree, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

We saw the need for a more multi-sensory approach with the children using visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning styles. The programme was purchased for use in the junior and senior infant's classroom and also for pupils who needed additional support. Their main difficulty was with word attack skills and letter sounds. The Newell method allows the children to segment words and helps with spelling in the junior classes. In the junior and senior infant classes, letter recognition has greatly improved with the senior infants doing very well in their MIST tests overall. The whole approach of sound blending, to create a word, was easily put across with the use of the Newell approach, as the children were involved at every stage of the process.

Mary Dillon, Robertstown N.S., Naas, Co. Kildare.

The programme was bought to be used by the entire school. With weaker children their ability to break up words, into each sound, is amazing. Structured dictation is also very beneficial and we have noticed a dramatic improvement since the beginning of the year.

Helen Sherlock, Carnacross N.S., Carancorss, Kells, Co. Meath.

One child was having problems relating his sounds with words. The constant practice with sounds and words in the Newell Literacy Programme has really helped him. This child has become confident in tackling words and his reading has improved accordingly. I found the dictation sentences very useful .

Anne Magee, Fortview N.S., Clones, Co. Monaghan.

We have found the programme very useful in providing a kinaesthetic approach to blending. Fluency has improved greatly with reading and dictation practice. The end of year tests are underway at the moment and the results are not in, but I expect much improved reading scores .

Roisin Carton, Rosenallis N.S., Rosenallis, Co. Laois.

We have already tried it out and it works! We have been using it for the past year and we have had great success with the programme. One child in particular (in 3 rd class) was making very little progress with reading. Using Book 1 and a sand tray, he is now reading CVC words and he is able to make them. I have found that the drill cards are invaluable and they are like a stepping stone between the sounds and the written word. Children are now having success with spelling in a fun way and they don't have to worry about letter formation .

Deirdre Ni Scolai, Galway Educate Together, Newcastle, Galway.

Newell has systematic, organised material that appeals to my way of teaching (Clever Cat didn't exactly do it for me!) Dean (senior infants) didn't know his letters and the step-by-small- step approach suited very well. 3 senior infants have done really well on it and one junior infant is making good progress.

Mona Brophy, Scoil An Chlochair, Kilbeggan, Co. Meath.

I bought the programme to use with the entire school. We felt it would be good to have continuation from infants up the 6 th class. We also felt that the Newell Programme would enhance the learning of those who have learning difficulties because it's so visual and the pupils are so involved in the lessons. In particular, we have seen an improvement in younger pupils and those who attended the S.E.T. teacher. Their word blending skills and reading have improved, as has their knowledge of sight words.

Jessica Hayden, Killeen N.S. Birr, Co. Offaly.

Anne Newell's reputation has gone before her throughout the whole of Ireland due to the tremendous success in literacy that the Newell literacy Programme has brought about in children using and enjoying the programme. Its well structured, phonic, multi-sensory approach makes it fun and ensures success wherever and with whomever it is used. I have been using it for six years with great success. Children's eyes light up and their faces beam as they note their own success in reading, writing and spelling. Parent's credit the increased success and confidence in their children in literacy and other curricular areas to the Newell Literacy Programme. I highly recommend the programme.

Kelly O' Connell, St. Nicholas N.S., Claddagh, Galway.

It's brilliant- a foolproof resource for every teacher in our school. The children love it too!

Oliver Nyhan, Ballincarriga N.S., Dunmanway, Co. Cork.

Initially I had reservations about the Newell Literacy Programme, that it would be mainly suitable for primary children. However, I found it of great benefit for our special needs students at second level. Many of them do not have the basic skills to access the many demands of the second level curriculum, particularly the literacy level required. The structured approach is a great help and I received only positive feedback from my students. The fact that as a new programme, students did not come across it at primary level was also a plus. It is very teacher friendly and easy to use. It is an excellent resource.

Joe Carroll, St. Patrick's Community College, Naas, Co. Kildare.

The Newell Literacy Programme is a very well organised and structured programme. The word blending and left to right orientation is well thought out and children enjoy themselves along the way. As an alternative to Letterland, it is excellent.

Kathryn Morgan, St. Michael's N.S., Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.

The Newell Literacy Programme gives a definite starting point, and a continue-on from whatever point has been reached. We now have Senior Infants able to spell words using their fingers to sound them out. They are able to write these words without help. First and Second classes are able to make out new words using this programme. All the children have improved in confidence as a result of the Newell Literacy Programme. Reading, Writing and Spelling have greatly improved in our school

Eileen Costello, Scoil Chaitríona Junior, Renmore, Galway.

The Newell Literacy Programme is the first programme I have found that combines all the necessary elements for children with literacy difficulties from infants to 6th class. It includes phonics, reading, spelling and dictation in such a way that success is guaranteed as each new exercise is built on what has gone before. It uses visual, auditory and kinaesthetic channels, so no matter where a child's difficulties lies, all channels of learning are being used. I have previously found it difficult to source material that went right up to 6th class. I believe that this programme combined with a good Oral Language Programme would provide a very good basis for a scheme of work for children with literacy difficulties

Lena McGrath, Raheen N. S. Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.

I have been working as a Learning Support Teacher for the past eleven years and have been using the Newell Literacy programme with some of my groups since Christmas. It is a well structured and comprehensive programme and should be a particularly useful tool to teachers who are new to learning support.

Catherine Flynn, St Mary's B.N.S, Grange road. Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

The Newell Literacy Programme is being used in Junior and Senior Infants with a view to implementing it in the other classes in September. I'm teaching Junior Infants and find I'm having more success with this programme in comparison to other programmes used in previous years. The content is clear and not cluttered as other programmes can be. It focuses on auditory, visual and kinaesthetic stimulus and so appeals to the differences in the way children learn. I find it is easily adaptable for children of different abilities, thus all experiencing their own level of success. I have had great success with blending and often hear children sounding out various words on their own

Patricia Keane, Barefield N.S., Barefield, Ennis, Co.Clare.

We are very impressed by the Newell Literacy Programme. The building of skills within the context of same learning procedures gives a secure framework for students who have difficulty with literacy. The fact that the programme is also designed for the more senior pupils who need to retain a phonic programme until they become proficient readers is a great help to teachers in senior classes.

Sr. Patricia Cadogan, Loreto Senior P.S., Crumlin Road, Dublin 12.

I have found the Newell Literacy Programme very useful with the students. I am a resource teacher and especially observe the benefits of using hands and sounds with the younger children.

O. Cunningham, Shanbally N.S., Rinaskiddy, Co. Cork.

The Newell Literacy Programme is easy to follow and comes with a step- by -step description of the techniques and teaching methods. The revision of the previous skills learned in each lesson is very worthwhile.The dictation exercises give the children the opportunity to use the words learned in context. The children love it

Rosetta Nulty, St. Brigid's Primary School, Haddington Road, Dublin 4.

We bought this programme for use in a secondary school for students with very poor literacy levels. So far, I have used Books 1 and 2. It has enabled me to present the letter names and sounds in a new way. Because there are so many examples, it has given the students renewed confidence and hope that they may be able to improve their reading skills. It is suitable for use in secondary schools because there are no childish illustrations. I am very pleased with this programme so far

Cepta Loughnane, St. Michael's Secondary School, Wellmont Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

The programme is only partially implemented yet, as we began it on the junior side of the school. We are very pleased with it so far and we will be implementing it on a whole school basis in the coming school year

Bríd O' Leary, Scoil Mhaoilíosa, Knockavilla, Upton, Co. Cork.

As a resource teacher, I have found the Newell Literacy Programme very useful and extremely comprehensive. It is suitably graded for children's needs. The children get a sense of achievement at the end of each lesson. The activity based exercises have proved very enjoyable.

Mary Mulligan, St. Patrick's N. S., Ballinamuck, Co. Longford.

I love the multisensory approach of the Newell Literacy Programme. The highly structured phonics based approach gives us a whole school programme suitable for children of all ages. Visual, auditory and motor skills are integrated seamlessly into the programme and reinforce the learning, enabling a student to compensate for a weakness in one learning channel with strengths in other learning channels. I have no hesitation in recommending the Newell Literacy Programme as a whole school approach to the teaching of reading.

Matt Reville, St. Brigid's BNS, Foxrock, Dublin 18.

I find the Newell Literacy Programme a good resource in my work as a language support teacher. The children enjoy using it and I like the fact that each book follows on from another. Because of this the children gain confidence in their reading and spelling.

Bernadette Keating, Our Lady of Consolation N.S., Donnycarney, Dublin 5.

I find the Newell Literacy Programme very user-friendly. I enjoy its structured approach, yet it is flexible in the way that you can pick out relevant lessons and do short daily sessions. Its assessment sheets are useful to track progress and inform future planning. Its multisensory approach caters for individual learning differences. Overall, the programme is a real time saver. Its repetitiveness ensures success and gives a sense of achievement which in turn leads to a child enjoying phonics.

Bríd Fitzgerald, Abbey N.S., Circular Road, Roscommon.

Developed from an Irish perspective by a teacher with a bed-rock of experience, the Newell Literacy Programme is a comprehensive model which allows a structured, incremental progression of phonics. Its multi-sensory approach places emphasis on the learning pathways enabling the mastery of new reading and spelling skills in parallel. As a whole- school action resource, the programme can be used to prevent, intervene, or address specific learning difficulty at individual, group or whole class level. It enables a differentiated approach to become a reality and allows for consolidation and overlearning of targets within Individual Education Plans in our school.

Liz O'Donnell, St. Brigid's G.N.S., Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow.

I teach Junior and Senior Infants. I use the flashcards and Book 1 and I am delighted with the programme. I find the methods very effective. The programme is very clearly and easily laid out; easy to follow and teach. The lesson plans are very useful. The children enjoy the programme which enhances and encourages their learning. Thanks and well done!!

Treasa Toomey, Kill National school, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.

The Newell literacy Programme provides a complete multi-sensory programme for all ages, combining reading, spelling and writing. It is extremely beneficial because it doesn't teach sounds in isolation. Dictation sentences allow the children to see words/sounds in context and therefore are more meaningful.

Sheilagh Noble, St. Mel's N.S., Ardagh, Co. Longford.

I use the Newell Literacy Programme in my Resource Teaching. I find it very easy to use the programme following the manual and I'm very pleased with the results to date. The children like the programme and therefore, they retain it well. Their reading skills have noticeably improved.

Mary Comer, Scoil Chaitríona Junior, Renmore, Co. Galway.

We have only started using the programme throughout our school since the beginning of February and we are getting a very positive response from all teachers.

Mary Kelly, Scoil Íde, New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.