Building firm foundations in reading, spelling and writing
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How to Use Reading Made Simple
Our Golden Rule:
Make the programme fit the child, not the child fit the programme.
Every child learns differently. Rather than expecting every learner to follow exactly the same path, Reading Made Simple is designed to be flexible. Whether a child needs extra practice, a different starting point, reading without spelling, or spelling without reading, the programme can be adapted to meet their needs while maintaining secure, systematic teaching.
A Choice of Pathways
This is how the pathways work.
Level 0: The Starting Point for All Pupils
Every child must have the skills taught in Level 0 before moving on — unless they can already demonstrate proficiency. Level 0 teaches the initial sounds and how to blend first simple CVC words, then words containing a consonant blend. This is the essential foundation the rest of the programme builds on.
Level 1: Two Threads, Four Starting Streams
Once Level 0 skills are secure, children move on to Level 1 — using the Level 1 teaching manual, which supports two threads: reading and spelling. Because children arrive at this stage from very different places, Level 1 offers four streams:
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When reading moves faster than spelling
For most children working through both threads together, reading tends to progress faster than spelling — and that's completely normal. If your child's reading starts to take off partway through Level 1, don't hold it back to wait for spelling to catch up. Spelling can continue at its own, slower pace alongside it.
The one thing to keep constant regardless of pace: the teacher should keep the same emphasis on flashcards and sound-learning for both threads, even while reading pulls ahead. This keeps the foundation solid so there are no gaps later, even as your child starts reading well beyond the reading books themselves.
In short: start by teaching both together, but if reading wants to go faster, let it — just keep the phonics groundwork thorough underneath, on both sides.
For most children working through both threads together, reading tends to progress faster than spelling — and that's completely normal. If your child's reading starts to take off partway through Level 1, don't hold it back to wait for spelling to catch up. Spelling can continue at its own, slower pace alongside it.
The one thing to keep constant regardless of pace: the teacher should keep the same emphasis on flashcards and sound-learning for both threads, even while reading pulls ahead. This keeps the foundation solid so there are no gaps later, even as your child starts reading well beyond the reading books themselves.
In short: start by teaching both together, but if reading wants to go faster, let it — just keep the phonics groundwork thorough underneath, on both sides.
Level 2: A Second Entry Point
Level 2 continues the spelling and writing focus, repeating the sounds taught in Level 1 before extending further into new sounds and patterns. This also makes Level 2 a suitable starting point for an older child who already has some phonics knowledge but has gaps that need filling — a placement check ensures they begin in the right place.
Level 3: Introducing a Writing Course
Alongside the continuing spelling and dictation work, Level 3 introduces a dedicated writing course, building on the spelling and phonics foundations already in place.
Level 4: Preparing for Secondary Level
Level 4 completes the spelling programme and provides a comprehensive writing course, preparing the student for the demands of secondary-level work.
Level 2 continues the spelling and writing focus, repeating the sounds taught in Level 1 before extending further into new sounds and patterns. This also makes Level 2 a suitable starting point for an older child who already has some phonics knowledge but has gaps that need filling — a placement check ensures they begin in the right place.
Level 3: Introducing a Writing Course
Alongside the continuing spelling and dictation work, Level 3 introduces a dedicated writing course, building on the spelling and phonics foundations already in place.
Level 4: Preparing for Secondary Level
Level 4 completes the spelling programme and provides a comprehensive writing course, preparing the student for the demands of secondary-level work.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I USE THIS PROGRAMME TO TEACH JUST SPELLING?
Yes! Many families do just that.
My child has speech difficulties. Can I still Use this programme?
I have used RMS to teach children with speech difficulties to read and write. I cannot guarantee any particular child's success, as this depends on innate ability and the quality of teaching (as does any programme), but it is systematic enough to enable you to help your child to progress to his/her maximum capacity to learn. Allow for the programme to take longer.
My child has special needs. Can this programme help?
RMS is highly structured. This means that it removes much of the mental strain required by other phonics programmes which cause many to stumble. If your child had failed with other programmes, then try RMS. You will hopefully be surprised to find that your child starts to make real progress.
Find out where to start your child here.
Find out where to start your child here.
I home educate my child. Can I use this programme?
Absolutely! I home educated my children and have designed RMS to suit the home educating family.
It is easy to use, simple to teach and understand and only takes up to half an hour a day to teach - usually less.
It is easy to use, simple to teach and understand and only takes up to half an hour a day to teach - usually less.
My child has already done phonics but not made progress. Can RMS help?
Yes! As RMS is more highly structured and systematic than other programmes, it reduces the mental load allowing children who have difficulties processing information to succeed. Try it and I hope you find that your child will soon be making progress. Learn where to start your child here.
Will RMS fit in with what my chld is taught in school?
If your child's school teaches phonics, then the answer is YES! However, it will not teach the sounds in the same order. If you teach your child according to this programme at home, your child will start to make progress and s/he may then find it easier to access what is taught in school and if not, s/he will make progress regardless.
Can I use the Scope and Sequence out of Order?
This is not advised. Each lesson builds on the one before, so making learning easy. By jumping around your child will lose out on this structure, become confused and learning may halt.
How was RMS devised?
RMS was devised as a result of our many years teaching reading and Joanne having responsibility for the teaching of reading across the whole school (R to Y6) in an Inner London state school. In our work we drew upon the work of many good folk, such as Mona McNee, Beverly Hornsby, Violet Brand, Dr Joyce Morris an others. We found out those things that work and those that did not. Joanne then home educated her own children, one of whom had a speech delay and special needs. We both then saw the need for our own programme that taught both reading and spelling to a high standard. RMS is a living programme. Joanne still uses it in her work as a private tutor to children aged 5 to 12 with special needs and we are still tweaking it to make sure that it really is the best it can be to help all children progress as easily as possible.
Is RMS available in print?
Yes! Our teaching manuals, worksheets and reading books — including the Tom Stories — are available as paperbacks on Amazon here. The full teaching manuals and worksheets are also available in PDF form to download and print at home via our [TPT store] and RMS Shop.
Why does Reading Made Simple work when others fail?
- It is more highly structured, systematic and incremental than most other programmes, reducing working memory load, allowing even those with poor auditory processing to make progress.
- Its simple structure/teaching means that children do not even realise they are learning.
- It combines incremental skill development with ample revision through the use of carefully written, sequential dictions, phonic workbooks and reading books (where applicable), making sure that children do not become overwhelmed.
- Because rules are kept to the minimum making it easier for parents and learners.
- It utilises the proven, multisensory tool of the hand in writing to aid not only spelling, but also reading.
Why is Reading Made Simple Free?
RMS is free as I believe that all children should be able to learn to read using the best resources, for FREE, so that none are barred by price. The ability to read is vital for success in life, but more so it allows us to read the Word of God, the Holy Bible, which is the means by which we learn of the way of Salvation from sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed on Calvary for all those that call upon his name.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Does the fact that RMS is free mean that it is not a good phonic programme?
This is far from the case. It is based on the latest research as to how children learn to read and write, as well as having been formed from our work with many, many children, of differing ages to adulthood, with a combined total of over 40 yrs experience.
I am not a christian. do I have to use the Read the Bible element?
No. The Read the Bible element is there to encourage children to read the Bible as it is the best book to read, showing the way to ETERNAL LIFE through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for sin. The Authorised Version is actually the simplest version (and the most reliable translation) for a child to read. However it is additional to the programme and not necessary for its success.
Can I use RMS to supplement another programme?
RMS can be used to help a child who is struggling with your existing programme but because the sequence of sound introduction will be different it can not really be used with another programme, but rather instead of. It will teach the same things, but the order of sounds as given by RMS is crucial for the success of the programme as it is planned so carefully that every tiny new concept builds gently builds on the ones before. If you have already used a phonic programme and your child has not made progress, put it to one side and use only RMS, following the simple instructions carefully.
Why are the RMS downloads listed on TPt and Teach Simple?
Teach Simple provides me with a means to earn royalties on my FREE products, however you would need to become a paid member to download 'Paid for' products. Therefore, I sell my PAID products on TPT. This means that I can continue to run RMS for free.
If you have any questions that I have not answered, please contact me.
