Core Davis Learning Strategies

• Focusing skills provides students with the ability to be physically and mentally focused on the learning task in hand
• Symbol Mastery allows students to master the alphabet, punctuation and basic sight words with a simple, easy and fun alternative to pencil and paper activities and drill exercises
• Davis Reading Exercises improve skills in word recognition and comprehension

In the classroom

• DLS is a set of tools that integrate into your existing  curriculum
• Materials are low cost, “non-consumable” and can be used over and over again
• Not dependent on photocopier or pencil and paper
• Enjoyable, absorbing, multi-sensory learning

Changes

• Help developing readers to learn that words are made up of symbols and meaning
• Stimulate low, average and high learners - all at the same time
• Provide children with self-management “how to learn” skills
• Build self-esteem through success

Research results

• Results from a six year pilot study - published in the Reading Improvement Journal, August 2001
• The children were tested on “First-grade word recognition”.  The post-test results of at-risk students in Davis Classrooms vs. Control Classrooms
• Gifted and talented programme referrals from three Davis classrooms two years after Davis Learning Strategies Intervention

*US Department of Education, 1993 & Clark, 1997

Conclusion

• Wide applicability for all abilities of children
• Easy for teachers to learn and use
• Satisfying and interesting for all