So looking ahead to next year I am looking for a phonics/reading curriculum that I can use with both boys and that won't break the bank. My 6yo has been doing Abeka phonics 1 in his school (though his grades aren't that great because he sounds out too much the teacher says and he doesn't have ALL the charts memorized) and my 5yo has been doing Teach your child to read in 100EZ lessons (again) with some phonics workbooks and lots of reading practice. In my opinion both of my boys read well, they do sound out unfamiliar words but to me that's a good thing. Mostly I think I'm just looking for something to reinforce the phonics rules, fill in any gaps they may have, give them more confidence in reading, and help them to sound out less. I was looking and Phonics Pathways and Reading Pathways but I'm not sure if this is what I need, so I came here to ask advice of you wise ladies and gentleman as to what has worked for you and what you might suggest. Going by Cathy Duffy's categories I have a wiggly willy/sociable sue (both boys show qualities of both)
We love Explode the Code here as a fill in the gaps tip thing. Both of my children love the series and their reading has improved. I will be doing Beyond the Code with DD next year to work on reading comprehension.
Sommer, what do you like about the McRuffy phonics? I was looking at their site and I'm just a little confused as to which level I should get. It's so hard taking children from one program to another.
We also like ETC. We used the TYCTR book and loved it. Now that we are done with it, I do a mix of LifePacs(mostly because I paid for the darn things), ETC, and Easy Readers. I also do spelling with the oldest. That has really helped with her reading and she feels so proud when she can spell a word!
hehe.. I haven't used it yet.. but am already in love. JoAnna uses it and it's popular over on the WTM boards. I am just really impressed with everything from McRuffy Press, it seems to be one of those hidden jems I am going with K for my 2 (workbooks will be here hopefully tomarrow with this snow), and I'm waiting until JoAnna is done with it for the teachers book and resource kit. I will look as soon as it comes and try to give you an idea of what the K level covers. By the way...Rylee is already reading some words with HOP, but I want to "restart" with her because I'm not so sure she "gets" it
We use ETC and Beyond the Code along with a lot of reading- me reading to them and her reading to me. Have you checked out Starfall.com at all? That is a great resource for computer reading games and it is free!
They don't like starfall...I know I have strange children, and I'm hoping to find something less workbook and more fun and games and stories. ETC is great but it's too much workbook stuff for my 6yo
I was given a copy of Sing, Spell, Read and Write. The program seems solid- just not for my eldest. She prefers the worksheets and less fun/games. Maybe yours would like it?
Mcruffy seems to have lots of games, that is what caught my eye with it. It seems to be a good blend of practice, games and workbook.
Didn't there used to be a program on tv called the phonics game or something, and it was similar to HOP? That was a long time ago from my memory, but maybe it's something to look into.
We LOVE ETC. My girls both like the workbook type stuff. There is an ETC you can purchase through subscription that is done on the computer. If you go to their site it's on there. I can't remember how much it was but Homeschoolbuyersco-op had it on discount for their members a while back. It might still be available.. Angela
My 6 y/o is doing ETC online version. She is doing well with it, but I find if we do it everyday she gets bored. So, I have her do it for 20 min M+W+F. However she tends to argue about everything :roll: I bought it through homeschoolbuyersco-op.org last month for around $30 and my subscription is good through the end of October. I just checked the site and they are out of stock, but I think they restock memberships throughout the year. The regular price for membership from the explode the code website is $60, so it is worth it to keep checking back with homeschoolbuyersco-op if you are interested. https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_hsbc_epp_order&Itemid=896
