Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I know where to start my students in the Sonday System?

Answer

If you are considering starting somewhere other than at the beginning, remember that determining where to start a student requires diagnostic expertise, knowledge of language structure sufficient to recognize gaps in the continuum, and the ability to intervene with corrective strategies. A teacher who isn’t trained in structured, systematic phonics may not receive the cues given by the learner or may not be able to intervene. We have created a Teacher Resource Book (both printed and digital versions) that offers a placement test across all Sonday System products. It also provides a baseline for the student. Use the below as a guideline for determining which test to administer for a particular student.
  • Choose Pre-Reading Survey to assess a non-reader or a student in Pre-K through 3rd grade. 
  • Choose Sonday System 1 Pre- and Post-Tests to assess skills of a student in 4th grade or above, or who scored above 85 on the Pre-Reading Survey. The test can also be used to monitor progress of a current Sonday System 1 student. 
    Note: Pre- and Post-Tests do not provide recommendations for Sonday System level placement.
  • Choose Sonday System 1 Placement Test to determine Sonday System 1 level placement for a student in 4th grade or above, or who scored above 85 on the Pre-Reading Survey.
  • Click Sonday System 2 Pre- and Post-Tests to assess skills of students who have completed Sonday System 1 or to monitor the progress of a current Sonday System 2 student. 
    Note: Pre- and Post-Tests do not provide recommendations for Sonday System level placement.
  • Click Sonday System 2 Placement Test to determine Sonday System 2 level placement for a student who has completed Sonday System 1, passed the Entry Test in Sonday System 2, or correctly spelled 65 words of the spelling portion of the Sonday System 1 Pre-Test.
The best thing to do is start at the very beginning of the system. For the Sonday System, the instructor should go through the Pre-Reading levels to verify that the learner can successfully manage the skills practiced. Move as rapidly as possible but as slowly as necessary. It is easy to assume that pre-reading skills are in place when the student is old enough for those skills to be in place. Don’t make that assumption. Missing a piece or two in the continuum of language may undermine the whole effort.

The Sonday System allows for flexibility when teaching the reading levels. The first levels may be easy, but don’t skip them—they focus on short vowels, which are difficult or confusing for learners who have reading delays yet are essential to the foundation for any beginning reader. It may be possible to complete the first levels quickly, but as the material becomes more difficult, it will be necessary to slow the pace. The Mastery Checks will help with pacing and the decision to move ahead.