Roberto Carlos Mejia

US Patent:

20040122676, Jun 24, 2004

Filed:

Jul 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/616629

Inventors:

Roberto Mejia - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Literacy S.T.A.R. - Watsonville CA

International Classification:

G10L011/00

US Classification:

704/276000

Abstract:

A system and method for literacy and language instruction that can be practiced with graphophonic word-building blocks, learning activities, software, an electronic device, and educational card/dice/bingo, etc. games with multi-sensory learning that revolves around and ideally combines graphophonic, semantic, and syntactic activity in language/literacy development. Other learning activities such as learning word classes, punctuation, and learning content matter may be included. A chart contains 44 images that represent the 44 sounds of English. Each image can be used as a phoneme cue (Phoneme Cue Image) for both phonemic awareness, phonological activity, and encoding words that may have a proximate display of alternate spellings around the Phoneme Cue Image on the block or card for example. Besides graphophonic encoding, word building activity may also simultaneously focus on building meaning and grammar practice. The activities can be done in a group setting and/or independent practice and learning. The system and methods can be used to teach speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills for both native and foreign languages such as English, Spanish, French, etc. The system and method may be called “ESCALERA,” which means ladder in Spanish, implying a stage-like order and development of the units, processes, and goals of a language which is to comprehend and express meaning in oral and/or text language.

US Patent:

20060040242, Feb 23, 2006

Filed:

Jul 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/173135

Inventors:

Roberto Mejia - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Literacy S.T.A.R. - Watsonville CA

International Classification:

G09B 1/00

US Classification:

434170000, 434167000

Abstract:

A device for helping a person learn to read and write. The device displays a plurality of character sets, such that the character sets in the proper order spell a word in a given language. Each character set is associated with a unique color relative to the other character sets in the plurality. The device further displays a set of items (e.g., lines or boxes) representing character locations, such that each item is associated with an image representing the sound of one of the character sets and a color matching the color associated with the one of the character sets. The colors associated with the items representing the character locations indicate the order of the character sets to spell the word. The device may be a flashcard, which may be made for use with a dry erase marker. Various learning games can be played that use the device to make learning easy and fun.