1. Cast-a-Spell A Supplemental Program in Grades 1-3 Cast-a-Spell was developed by Diana Fontenault and Norma Slater, copyrighted in 1993.

2. Why is this program needed? Increased reading benchmarks Decoding (reading words parts to whole) and encoding (spelling) are identified areas of concern Systematic and consistent delivery of instruction within and across grade levels

3. Components of Cast-A-Spell Multi-sensory Challenging Systematic and and explicit language Strategy-based Tiered lessons All students actively engaged Clearly sequenced through grades

4. “Systematic and explicit phonics instruction is more effective than non-systematic or no phonics instruction.” Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read”, Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA) and funded by the National Institute of Literacy (NIFL)‏

5. Other CT Districts Using Cast-a-Spell Mansfield Ellington Farmington Tolland Weston