This is my first year of homeschooling DD. She's in Kindergarten and now knows how to read! I can't believe I was able to teach her how to do it. Phonics Pathways, Bob Books, and Explode the Code are winners! Teaching her how to read scared me BIG TIME. Now that she's gotten the hang of it, I can relax (just a little). Just wanted to share a happy little milestone and thank you all for being so helpful and encouraging I've learned so much here. You guys are wonderful and inspirational!
Isn't that the best!!! That has honestly been on of my greatest accomplishments, too. So happy for you!
YEAH!!! I think realizing they could read was one the best parts of homeschooling all THREE of my kids!!! Good job, Mom!!!
I love it when that little lightbulb goes on. Isn't it the best feeling in the world. As a reward for my girls they get a library card when they learn to read. The older two have theirs and dd3 is working very hard for hers. I do realize that it depends on what kinda rules your library has for that. Keep up the good work.
That's exactly what I did for DD! She was so excited. Now her little sister, age 3, says she's going to start reading so she can get her card too!
I always got my kids a card when they turned two. (I know, it sounds really young, but it also shows how strongly I believe in reading to young kids, lol!) I would go to the desk loaded down with the books in one hand, and a toddler in the other, the toddler carrying their own card (back when the librarians actually checked out books :roll, and the librarian would always say something to the little one about how wonderful reading was, or what a good book was, etc. AND if I ever had a child who wouldn't behave in the library, I would put all books down on the table and walk out, leaving the books behind. I only had to do that one time, lol (though I DID threaten on occassion!)
Congrats! That is great! I think that was one of my biggest fears when we started too. Then my ds didn't cooperate and he ended up delaying his progress. He's finally got it though, but I know that feeling that they can finally read is such a great feeling!
So did you do them in succession, or together? Seems like you couldn't really do Explode the Code without first completed at least some of Phonics Pathways? My five year old is just now learning letter sounds, and sounding out the first letter of words....the Phonics Pathways seems like something I need.
We started dd with the Explode the Code primers....Get Ready for the Code, Get Set for the Code, and Go for the Code. Dd loved them, along with McGuffy readers.
I'm a "hodge podge" homeschooler. I use a wide array of materials and that's the approach I took for DD's reading. When she was four, I started with Explode the Code using their series of primer books: Get Ready For the Code, Get Set for the Code, and Go For the Code to teach the consonants. As we did that, I also used an old series (1984,1991) of Grolier books called My First Steps to reading by Jane Belk Moncure. They have stories for each letter of the alphabet and that reinforced what DD was learning in Explode the Code. Our library carries the series, but I was able to find the whole set at a thrift store for only $15. You can see what they look like here. (Apparently there's a newer set being sold here.) I also allowed DD to play around in the ABC's section of Starfall to help with her understanding of consonant sounds. After she was good with the consonants, I moved into Phonics Pathways (see a review here) to teach the short vowel sounds. To reinforce the lessons, I found a great set of free file folder games online based on short vowels here, but it looks like the links are no longer working . I printed out the materials and made the games for her to play. Next, we started combining consonants and vowels by reading the first set of Bob Books. As her phonics skills improved, DD moved into the regular Explode the Code books and into additional sets of Bob Books. She continues to progress and I continue to use Phonics Pathways at a pace that works best for her. It took me a while to decide to use Phonics Pathways. I had heard numerous ringing endorsements for Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading, but neither worked for me. I found the symbols in both books to be annoying but I have friends who love both books. I hope all of this makes sense. Best wishes to you!
YEAH! You did it! The rest is easy. You both will have a great journey of learning together. Enjoy it.
