The Barton Reading System: 10 Levels to Literacy Success
A comprehensive, sequential program designed to take students from foundational phonemic awareness to advanced reading and spelling skills at the mid-ninth grade level.
10
Subsequential Levels
2-3
Years to Complete
9th
Grade Reading Level
Everyone Starts at Level 1
Regardless of age or current reading level, all students must begin with Level 1 and progress sequentially through the program. This ensures that foundational phonemic awareness skills are solidly in place before advancing to more complex reading and spelling patterns.
The Barton System is carefully designed so that each level builds upon the previous one. Skipping levels or starting in the middle would leave critical gaps in understanding, making it difficult for students to succeed with more advanced material.
1
Level 1: Phonemic Awareness
Building the foundation for reading success by teaching students to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words. Students learn to identify, segment, and blend phonemes.
2
Level 2: Consonants & Short Vowels
Students master all consonant sounds and short vowel sounds. They learn to read and spell simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and begin building decoding skills.
3
Level 3: Closed Syllables and Units
Introduction to closed syllable types and consonant units (blends and digraphs). Students learn to decode multi-syllable words and apply syllable division rules.
4
Level 4: Syllable Division & Vowel Teams
Students master syllable division patterns and learn vowel teams. They develop strategies for breaking down longer, more complex words.
5
Level 5: Prefixes and Suffixes
Introduction to common prefixes and suffixes. Students learn how affixes change word meanings and practice reading and spelling multisyllabic words with affixes.
6
Level 6: Six Reasons for Silent-E
Students learn the six jobs of silent-e and master the VCE (vowel-consonant-e) syllable type. They understand when and why silent-e appears in words.
7
Level 7: Vowel-R Syllables
Mastery of r-controlled vowels (ar, or, er, ir, ur). Students learn to recognize and spell words where ‘r’ changes the vowel sound.
8
Level 8: Advanced Vowel Teams
Mastery of r-controlled vowels (ar, or, er, ir, ur). Students learn to recognize and spell words where ‘r’ changes the vowel sound.
9
Level 9: Influences of Foreign Languages
Exploration of how French, Spanish, and other languages have influenced English spelling patterns. Students learn to recognize and decode borrowed words.
10
Level 10: Greek Words & Latin Roots
Advanced study of Greek combining forms and Latin roots. Students develop strategies for decoding academic and scientific vocabulary, reaching mid-ninth grade reading level.
How the Program Works
One-on-One Tutoring
The Barton System is designed for individualized, one-on-one instruction. This allows for personalized pacing and immediate feedback, ensuring each student masters every concept before moving forward.
One-on-One Tutoring
Tutoring typically occurs twice per week for one hour per session. This frequency ensures consistent practice and retention while allowing time for skill consolidation between sessions.
10-15 Lessons Per Level
Each level contains 10-15 comprehensive lessons. Students progress at their own pace, mastering each lesson before advancing to ensure deep understanding and lasting retention.
Sequential & Cumulative
Each lesson builds logically on previous ones. New
concepts are introduced only after foundational skills are secure, creating a solid framework for literacy success.
Timeline & Expectations
Typical Competion Time
- Moderate Dyslexia: 2-3 years to complete all 10 levels
- Mild Dyslexia: May progress more quickly, potentially 18-24 months
- Severe Dyslexia: May require 4-5 years for complete mastery
Recommended Minimum: Level 8
While completing all 10 levels is ideal, we recommend taking students through at least Level 8 to ensure they have the essential skills for academic success. Levels 9 and 10 provide advanced vocabulary knowledge particularly valuable for college-bound students.
Final Reading Level
Upon completing all 10 levels, students achieve a mid-ninth grade reading level. This provides them with the literacy skills necessary for high school coursework and prepares them for further academic challenges.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Whether you’re a parent, tutor, or educator, the Barton Reading System provides a proven path to literacy success. Start at Level 1 and watch your student’s confidence and skills grow with each lesson.
