A Home Library for Early Readers: S.W.R.L. "I See Sam"

Back in the 1960s,  Southwest Regional Laboratory for Educational Development and Research (SWRL). was a  a federally funded research and development program in beginning reading.  One outcome was a series of early readers,  which were published by Ginn and Company in 1972.   The writers were Lin Oliver and Steve  Mooser.

Because the project was federally funded, the books are in the public domain. I have two sources Mrs. Sakamoto's page Brian Marriot's I See Sam Homepage.

Interview with Lin Oliver

Interview with Steve Mooser

Comments

[Geraldine Carter]

The most comprehensive version of the 'I see Sam'books are distributed by Roads to Everywhere. Have a look at 3RsPlus.com website for information. The Director of SWRL at the time, Dick Schutz, has kept the project on the 'straight and narrow' and the books cannot be recommended highly enough. They are both very straightforward and with subtle points of instruction integrated into the stories. Quite wonderful.

[Kay Anderson]

Where can I purchase the Sam series now?

[Liz]

Kay, thanks for the comment.

I guess I didn't write clearly enough.  "In the public domain" means that they are free.  The two links in the article give two sites do download them from, in PDF format.  Then you have to photocopy & assemble -- but that means that each child can personalize their books.

[Liz Ditz]

Kay, thanks for the comment.

I guess I didn't write clearly enough. "In the public domain" means that they are free. The two links in the article give two sites do download them from, in PDF format. Then you have to photocopy & assemble -- but that means that each child can personalize their books.

[palisadesk]

If you don't want to print them out yourself, you can purchase them at

www.iseesam.com (a lot of free resources there that you can also download)
or at iseesam.net (somewhat less expensive, but the quality of printing and paper is not as good)

[Andy Hofmeister]

Liz, it's great to see these materials getting some attention. I'm involved with the group behind iseesam.com and just wanted to pass along a couple of tidbits. A number of changes were made by the research team at Utah State University to the original SWRL readers. Among them perhaps the most important are the embedded assessments and instructor cues that make the program easier to use. Also a number of new books were added to the series and some other changes were made to ensure the final version is truly 100% decodable. There is more info about the research at our website.
You mentioned the print quality in your post. One of the things we did along with the program revisions was recreate every image in every book digitally to improve the quality of the printing. Not to take anything away from the original SWRL team, the first version of the books were far ahead of their time and we credit their work inside the cover of every book we print.

[oceanic]

The two links in the article give two sites do download them from, in PDF format. Then you have to photocopy & assemble -- but that means that each child can personalize their books.

[Tonya Goddard]

I have used the SWRL Books for 14+ years in my Preschool, and have been more than pleased. However this year I thought we needed more and on my search I made contact with Andy Hofmeister, he introduced me to the changes they made as "Little Readers". I am thrilled with the New Sounds, New Words and Coming Attractions. I like the comprehension questions at the bottom of the pages and where it also indicates you praise the reader. The assessments and the training for teaching how to use these books is fantastic. My parents of my students are estatic, their children are reading before entering Kindergarten; some at a first grade level and some far beyond.
I am thrilled to see these books becoming more familiar to the public. They are a great tool to develop a love of reading in our children.

[Marlene Page]

I am hoping to get some more of the I See Sam books. I have #s 2 3 4 5 10 and 11. The 4 year olds that I am working with just love the books.

[beverly perez]

how do you down load the books to have for students

[Lee Cannon]

I have been looking for the I See Sam books for years since I used them to read when I was a little kid. www.iseesam.com has all the most amazing updates and upgrades to the stories that I loved. I just ordered all the sets for my little boy, he is only 2 but I am too excited for him to get to learn how to read! Thanks iseesam!

[Janice Signet]

I case anyone would be interested in knowing about it, the "I See Sam" system has now been adapted in a beginning reading video program, called Read Now! I recently purchased the program and I'm delighted with it. My kids were really entertained with the Sam the Lion walk-a-round character and the music was great (for once the children's music didn't drive me crazy). So it was no surprise to me that they loved to watch the program over and over. The reading booklets which were included followed the original booklets very closely. Being able to watch the synchronized animation on the video with the reading booklets in hand, allowed them to quickly pick it all up. The product is not cheap- but worth every penny to me. I also noticed that they have an Affiliate Program which allows stay at home moms to make money sharing the program with other. It's too much for me to understand but maybe some people would find that of interest too. Their website is http://www.readnowabc.com

[Mary]

I can't seem to find where to download the books for free.

Would anyone be willing to email a link?

Thanks,
Mary [email protected]

[Melissa]

Now I feel stupid. That's cleaerd it up for me

[Penny Melton]

Hi, We have the original "I See Sam" books for sale. The set is books 1-52 by SWRL reading, published in 1972. Asking $125. Accept Paypal. Phone 850-890-7072 or email [email protected] to check to make sure they are still available. Thanks!