Working memory is defined as the number of discrete pieces of information that a person can store in one's head. The
average person over 7 years old can hold 7 pieces of information, and this is why phone numbers are 7 digits long.
An average 6 year old can hold 6; 5year old holds 5, etc.

 

Many people with reading problems have low working memory, and cannot hold very much in working memory at
all. They may have good long term memory or good visual memory, but if they do not have a sufficient working
memory, they simply cannot decode longer words. 

It is fairly easy to spot a person with low working memory as they learn to read. They are the ones who can easily
sound out a short word like "cat", but when working on a longer 5 sound word, like "slant" (and if they are not using
blends or word families) by the time they get to the "t" they have forgotten the "s" and the "l".

 

This deficit will affect every aspect of learning, so it is imperative that it be improved. When reading a compound
sentence, the first half is forgotten by the time they have finished the second half, so comprehension is poor. In
math, they may be able to do simple addition and subtraction, but once there are multiple steps involved, they are
unable to keep the information in order. When writing, those with low working memory will frequently write their
sentences without punctuation, capitalization, correct spelling, or spacing. Their brains cannot hold this amount of
information all at once.

 

But, as with everything else in this book, the brain can change and working memory can increase. The following
two exercises can be used daily for 30 school days, and you will see many improvements in reading.

 

Card Processing and Memory

 

Materials: a shuffled deck of cards

 

Directions: Hold up a card and have the student say the number followed by the color followed by the suit. Help as
necessary, but work toward the student being able to remember the order of the information independently. Continue through the deck until the student cannot do any more. It is typical for a student with low working memory to shut down and have "mental fatigue", as described by Mel Levine. At this point congratulate the student for working so
hard. Write down the number of cards that were completed. Have the student walk around, get a drink of water, and
do something fun for 5 or 10 minutes. Then try again. Keep track of how the student does over the 30 days.
 

 For the full excerpt click this link.

Decoding-WorkingMemory.PDF