Id like to start on a much more structured curr wfor my son, to really get him started on reading. Ive looked at both mcruffy and explode the code and they both seem like greatt choices. Has anyone had any experience with either? If i used explode the code, im looking into the online version.
I've used both. I much, much, much prefer McRuffy. I loved the McRuffy K. I have ETC books too...which I used/use as a supplement (although I think some do use it as a main program). I had major problems with the ETC online. It was slow, was very glitchy, and often froze up. We never seemed to be able to advance. It just played the same lessons over and over and over. I don't know if this is how it is, if we were doing something wrong, or if it was our computer. Whatever it was, we never could get it completely figured out why it wasn't working correctly and then our subscription ran out. BTW, I have a lot of McRuffy for sale right now. I have K Color Phonics, 1st Color Phonics, K Science, and the big McRuffy sliders book. Here's a copy of my ad: McRuffy Kindergarten SE Phonics (color version) Includes resource pack (some items already assembled), 30 readers, teachers manual, workbook # 2 (workbook # 1 is not included), Traditional Handwriting book (42 pages out of 174 have been used in the handwriting book, but you can use those pages for the sentences and have your child write on lined paper). Also includes Ruff's Pre-Writing (a couple of pages are blue from the wipe-off marker), Flip & Draw Traditional Handwriting Letter Practice Sheets ($6.95), Dot's Handwriting Helper Traditional Style ($5.95), and the book Ruff Plays the Piano ($2.95). Also includes McRuffy's Big Book of Sliders to drill over 2,000 words. This is a hard item to find. Now the book is in 2 parts: McRuffy Sliders book 1 and McRuffy Sliders book 2 (together they are about $28 plus shipping). This is one book that includes book 1 & 2 and is 180 pages, a few of the sliders have been made and are included (I think two are missing??). Cover and edges of book show some wear, small stain on upper part of cover. You will need to get workbook # 1. New cost for all of this, not including workbook # 1, is about $154 plus shipping. $80.00 ppd. McRuffy 1st Grade SE Phonics (color version). Includes resource pack, 34 readers, 2 teachers manuals, Modern handwriting book (brand new; this style is a nice transition from print to cursive), 2 workbooks: Spelling & Phonics (5 or 6 pages written in pencil & erased), Language & Reading (4 pages written in pencil & erased). I'm also including Pond Pals Volume 1 reader & Adventures with Ruff Volume 2 reader ($6.95 each). This is everything you need and cost about $140 + shipping new. $85.00 ppd. McRuffy K Science (color version)Includes resource pack (a few cards cut out), teachers manual, and workbook (2 pages cut out...they were little lima bean shapes, different sizes, with faces that you could make yourself, and 2 pages colored). This does not include the science kit. New price is $54.95 + shipping. $30.00 ppd.
I might be interested in the McRuffy 1st grade if Jennifer isn't. Let me look and see what I have and please let me know how you like to be paid. Thanks!
Jennifer, I use McRuffy Kinder phonics and have used ETC workbooks. I haven't used ETC online but don't think I have read one good thing about it. Seems it just doesn't work right. My DS likes ETC because he can do it himself and we have "races" of him doing his worksheets while I do a chore. I don't think he learned as much phonics and reading with it as he has with McRuffy since we made the switch. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I prefer teaching reading by the whole word approach. I just got easy reading books from the library and read them over and over to my children, pointing at the words and in time they pick up some words. Then I copy words and stick them on the wall and ask the child to read them frequently.
I used McRuffy some with my 1st grader last year and it went alright. I had to slow it down because she was coming out of public school and though the reading program was great at their school, it did not cover as much as McRuffy K did, so she did not know all the phonograms as was expected of her starting with the first grade program. I liked the books and some of the lessons and games, but the workbooks ended up being too much for her so I had to adjust. But overall I think it is a great program. I have only used the ETC workbooks and my daughter loves workbooks so she did a good portion on her own and learned from them. We have never tried the online version though!
We are just starting to use ETC workbooks and my son LOVES them! Don't have any experience with the online version though.
DON'T get the online version. It was one of my biggest wastes of money. It requires your child to be very good and quick at the mouse in order to progress. If your child clicks the wrong thing by mistake it will not let your child advance either. My computer loving kid who had been using a mouse since he was 1-2 years old hated it! That said, the workbooks are solid and I recommend them. There is a bit of writing that you can adapt if needed.
