Mother-and-son authors design books for children with dyslexia
The mother-and-son team of Carol Hale and Ivan Mader has collaborated on a new curriculum to help children with dyslexia. CONTRIBUTED
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
11:34 am Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Mother-and-son authors design books for children with dyslexia

MADISON – Carol Hale and her son Ivan Mader frequently collaborate, like traveling around the world. Currently, they are corresponding across the world to develop curriculum for dyslexic students.

A Madison resident, Carol has worked as a writer and curriculum designer for 25 years by publishing books, newspapers and a free website that promotes literacy with Bible stories. She previously wrote for “The Madison Spirit.”

Ivan now lives in Hungary and works as a registered nurse and freelance artist. He is engaged to Szi Szi, a Hungarian student he met in medical school.

To develop their curriculum for dyslexics, Carol teamed up with Ivan as they traveled throughout Hungary, Turkey and Israel. Ivan drew while Carol directed.

“When my creativity ran out, I would turn the ideas over to Ivan. He has the unique ability to see what most of us never will,” Carol said. Carol and Ivan created “pictures” for more than 125 phonograms.

“These are pretty revolutionary,” Carol said. “These images can be used by struggling readers or any new reader. The humor and shapes give students the mental memory hook they need.”

Carol has witnessed children recall their phonics with “Funny Phonograms.” “Instead of failure, they have success. It has been very rewarding,” she said.

The package of Laughing Letters and Funny Phonograms includes books, flashcards, a 50-page guide and nine PowerPoint presentations. Finished in early May, “Read in Pictures” curriculum now is available at the “Teachers Pay Teachers” website. The price is $25. Search for “Funny Phonograms” at teacherspayteachers.com.

Carol and Ivan’s latest undertaking was a special card for Mother’s Day that included a bookmark and coloring poem. “The inspiration came from a card that Ivan created for me when he was about 13 years old,” Carol said. “The card depicted both my boys hanging from a tree. The words on their shirts read ‘MoM’ and ‘WoW.’ I have always loved that card.”

“This time, instead of using pencil and paper, he used his laptop and stylus from his flat in Hungary. He made images of boys and girls of various ethnicities. The gift of love and giving keeps on ‘drawing’ ‘oohs and aahs’ from around the world,” Carol said.

In previous ventures, Carol, Ivan and Carol’s other son Hans, a mechanical engineer in Denver, were commissioned to visit an elephant conservancy center in Thailand. They created a learning package to support the endangered Asian elephant population.

“That was the trip of a lifetime,” Carol said. “The most amazing part was taking the elephants wading in a pond. We rode the elephants in the water while they were squirting each other!”

In other travels, Ivan and Carol pursued their first overseas mission trip in Honduras with Asbury United Methodist Church. “The team traveled up steep mountains bringing medicine and medical care to the poorest of the poor. Ivan helped to provide reading glasses for the elderly, shots for younger children and medicine for the elderly,” she said.

“The art that came off Ivan’s pencil, ‘Portraits from Honduras,’ became part of the winning team that earned Bob Jones High School another first place as the best art program in the entire USA,” Carol said.

Also on The Madison Record
Tri-agency traffic enforcement targets speeders on I-565
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By STAFF REPORTS 
July 16, 2025
MADISON  – In a united front to crack down on excessive speeding, the Huntsville Police Department (HPD), Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and t...
Local athletes set for North-South battles
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Bob Labbe 
July 16, 2025
MADISON - Some of the top rising senior high school athletes are about to invade the Alabama Capitol City of Montgomery July 21-25 for the 29th annual...
NASA, Orion to host Marshall’s 65th anniversary celebration this Saturday
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Staff Reports 
July 16, 2025
HUNTSVILLE - NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is inviting the community to help celebrate the center’s 65th anniversary during a free public event ...
Chamber needs nominations for ‘Military Family of the Year’
A: Main, Business, Events, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – Madison Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to identify a family who has upheld a strong commitment to country and community. The c...
ADOC: Health care worker tried to smuggle meth, narcotics into correctional facility
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Staff Reports 
July 16, 2025
LIMESTONE COUNTY - A health care employee was arrested Friday for allegedly attempting to transport almost 200 grams of methamphetamine and other narc...
Central Office values Becky Tucker as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – Becky Turner doesn’t get hung up on labels. No matter her job title, Tucker feels called to be a servant leader. Her colleagues at Central O...
Brett Burgess named ‘Teacher of the Year’ at James Clemens
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – Brett Burgess wanted to work in Madison City Schools for association with the best in his field, both academic and coaching. James Clemens H...
Olivia Skillern named James Clemens theatre department’s artistic director
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – For Olivia Skillern, it’s ‘as if I never said goodbye’ (to quote a line from “Sunset Boulevard”). With her new job in the Theatre Department...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Latest E-edition
Latest Stories
YUM! Spicy yet savory poppers
MADISON - Your guests won’t be able to have just one of these sweet and savory poppers. With a touch of heat from the cayenne pepper, and sweetness fr...
July 16, 2025
poll