What is BFR

BFR is based on Montessori, Orton Gillingham and the Science of Reading

Brain Friendly Reading™ is a carefully curated, systematic phonics program designed by two Montessorians and OG practitioners, Kristin Dwyer and Elaine Smith.

Based on extensive experience working with dyslexic children across a variety of instructional situations (classrooms, reading labs, private tutoring), they modified some of the traditional OG instructional strategies to achieve the same goals (and based on the same science) to make the work straightforward, practical and easy to start implementing right away.

Chart tapping replaces the card decks. That work is followed by sound dictation and then a review of a previously taught concept. There is space for new instruction and for teaching ‘Red Words’ (called puzzle words in the BFR program). Word, phrase and sentence dictation are all part of the BFR Program as is reading from decodable texts and spelling instruction that follows the lesson taught.

So, this isn’t a traditional OG program but is OG-based like Barton or Wilson or any other program that follows the principles and elements of structured literacy.

A unique program rooted in the latest reading science based on current brain research

Highly effective strategies that are engaging for the students create a low-stress learning environment that builds confidence by building skills

A structured-literacy approach, which means the work is explicit, systematic, and cumulative - each skill builds upon what has come before

Multi-sensory methods utilized research on how the brain learns to read in a way that is practical for use in whole group, small group and individual instruction

Game playing is essential for learning, reinforcement, and repetition that brings children, teens and adults up the ladder of reading

Spelling and reading are taught as integrated parts simultaneously, as each informs the other

Orton Gillingham Principles

All trained OG educators follow a set of principles whenever they plan and/or execute a lesson with a student. These principles uphold the integrity of the approach.

Phonemic Awareness

How to help children hear and manipulate sounds

Alphabetic Principle

Daily multi-sensory review builds this quickly and efficiently

Phonics

Reading by blending sounds together

Spelling foundation

By learning how to break words apart into their individual sounds

Explicit instruction

For specific spelling rules to help children unlock the code and see the patterns in words

Syllable types

Integrated seamlessly into the program

Dividing words into syllables

Makes reading and spelling much easier

Vocabulary building

Integrated throughout the program and layered into the other work

Puzzle words

Games and strategies for quick recall and recognition

Reading fluency and syntax

Carefully crafted phrases and sentences that are fully decodable

Comprehension work with sentences

Developing the connection that words have meaning, and the reader can make a picture in the mind

BFR Key instructional strategies

Chart Tapping

This innovative and multisensory BFR instructional strategy promotes the overlearning necessary for automatic recall of the sound-symbol connection. Children are engaged in the rhythmical nature and teachers enjoy low-prep and noticeable results.

Arm tapping

Children use their arms to break words apart into their individual sounds for spelling. They also use their arms to blend sounds together for reading. Arm Tapping and Chart Tapping work together to prepare a child for phonics instruction.

Game Playing

Playing games provides opportunities for meaningful repetition of reading and rereading words with similar patterns. It’s essential for the many, many children who need repetition.

Explicit Instruction

Each new skill needs to be explicitly taught. We want the child to focus on a new target skill each lesson while also including in the lesson previously taught skills for continuous review.

In this 23-minute video, you can get an overview of what it means to use language such as Science of Reading and Structured Literacy.

Ready to start?

Register now for BFR training and gain proven, research-based strategies to help your students move up the ladder of reading.