Publishing Partnerships Over the years we have forged partnerships with several publishers seeking to develop innovative new products. Following is a brief description of three proprietary products we have brought to publishers.
In anticipation of an instructional gap we believed would result from the lack of direct grammar instruction during the whole language era, we approached Zaner-Bloser in 1996 with an idea for an innovative series of grammar, usage, and mechanics books for grades 3–8. G.U.M. (Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics) was published in 1998, achieved steady sales, and was revised and expanded in 2008. One of the outstanding features of G.U.M. is its presentation of grammar skills in the context of engaging cross-curricular study lessons rather than in groups of disconnected sentences (the previous hallmark of grammar drill books).
In 2001–2002 we collaborated with AGS, then an independent publisher of special needs materials, in the development of an all-new reading intervention program for students in grades 6–12 reading significantly below level. Reading Skills for Life was published in 2002. Reading Skills for Life was followed in 2003 with a companion set of ancillaries focusing on discreet skills. The series includes Target Reading Comprehension Skills, Target Writing and Grammar Skills, Target Spelling and Vocabulary Skills, and Target Study Skills. Prior to the publication of Reading Skills for Life, we worked with AGS to create a developmental grammar series for students in grades 9-12. Practical Guide to Better English was published in 1999.
AnimatedSpeech.com offers highly effective language and social development software for autistic children. We are collaborating with AS to expand content (150 new social stories), extend market reach, and adapt their proprietary technology to other special needs groups. |