Reading Pins: A Research-Based Approach to Reading Instruction
YouTube Description of this Research
The Research
Let me tell you about my research. I designed a method of teaching reading where primary students put clothespins on their ears during reading class. I conducted research to show how effective it is. My research question was, “Does the clothespin method improve students’ reading achievement?”
Methods
Two first-grade classrooms agreed to participate in the research. There were 29 subjects in the non-clothespin classroom (control group) and 25 subjects in the clothespin classroom (experimental group). The Dibbex Nonsense Word test was given as a pre-test measure. Here, subjects are asked to identify 10 CVC nonsense words as quickly as they can (see Figure 1). The results showed the scores for both groups to be relatively the same.
Figure 1. Dibbex Nonsense Word Test
Both groups used direct instruction to teach decoding skills as part of reading instruction. The subjects in the experimental group had clothespins on their ears during direct instruction. The subjects in the control group did not.
Results
After two weeks, the Dibbex Nonsense Word Test was given as a posttest measure. As shown in Figure 2, the clothespin group scored higher on the CVC test than the non-clothespin group.
Figure 2. Dibbex Pre- and Posttest scores
Conclusions
This research proves that the clothespin method works. Its research-based. The current reading crisis exists because teachers aren’t doing clothespins. Every student at every level must have clothespin instruction. It’s research based. It uses systematic, explicit, direct, multisensory instruction. It’s a structured, scientific approach. It used diagnostic and prescriptive instruction. It’s sequential, logical, and cumulative.
Teachers aren’t being prepared to use clothespins. We need to make a law requiring clothespin training for all teachers. We’ll call it The Clothespin Act. Also, to be accredited, teacher preparation programs must include clothespin training.
This also proves that direct instruction works. And it proves that whole language is debunked. And it proves that structured literacy is more effective than balanced literacy.
Reading Pins
You can buy my special, research-based clothespins for $15 each. They’re called Reading Pins. But you need to sign up for special Reading Pins training before you can use them. You need to be Reading Pins certified. Reading Pins training starts at $3,000.
Reading Pins workbooks and other materials cost $250.
Reading Pins have been approved by Moms for Liberty.
