I really havent been using a structured phonics program this year, Ive been using a Kite book that I got from somewhere along with picking up cd's from the library. Id like a more structured program for next year. Any suggestions? Im on a limited budget for next year but I already have my math since we wont be done with our Saxon 1 math by the end of the year. Thanks!!!:love:
My youngest son's private pre-school used Hooked on Phonics. He taught himself to read that summer and started 1st grade reading.
I'm having the same problem myself. I don't know if I'm even going to purchase a phonics program. I've been using a sound of the week method since dd was 4 and she's reading 2nd grade books now- she's considered a Kindergartner. Problem is she's bored with how we have been doing things and really likes workbook type things. I'm going to use Spell to Write and Read for spelling and it actually implements a lot of phonics teachings into the spelling lessons. I may just go with Horizons Phonics and just order the student book and teachers guide. I don't need the readers. I have no idea either because we don't actually have that much phonic material left to cover.
How well does she already do on Phonics? Steck-Vaughn phonics workbooks are full of color and real "fun". They are Alpha order sequence. How does she do with the Phonics on www.starfall.com? What about Jumpstart Phonics for the computer? We did all these things and they were great.
She loves starfall! Just loves it. We are not online at home anymore(darn computer issues) but she does love starfall.
you can now get hooked on phonics at places like Target, Toys R us and Big Lots (that's where I saw it)! It was only $80 so I don't know if it was the whole program or not. I only have one left to teach phonics, and we are already using a program and she just moved to the second level and wouldn't like to change -- otherwise I would be buying that! $80?! What a deal!
FREE www.starfall.com What we did was do one book a week and I printed out the free workbook pages. I also let my kids play on that book each week, and it's games. I loved it because it was FREE and it worked great with my older kids.
Hooked on Phonics taught my Jeannie to read, but it's all memorization. No learning of the rules and whys of phonics. I use Saxon now and she's learning those rules, plus spelling rules HOP won't address. Spelling a word and reading a word are two different things, I found out. The drag with Saxon is the giant amount of these cards you need to use with the program. They're a hassle to deal with, but you especially need the affix cards, spelling cards and some times the kid cards. The other drag is this huge script they give you to say. I go through and take notes, but I don't use the whole script. The up side of Saxon is the thoroughness. The learning of phonics and spelling rules is another. They give you these 8x10 Rules charts you can hang up. Jeannie regularly looks to these when spelling a /k/ sound word. Does it need a k, c, or ck or ke? The charts are very helpful.
I have been reviewing Saxon and since we already use the math I figured it wouldnt be too hard for us. Thanks for your input, I SO appreciate it!
I had heard bad things about Hooked on Phonics. Basically, not even close to being worth the price. Starfall has a program that you download the pages and print them yourself for free or you could order them while at the library or using another computer http://www.starfall.com/n/N-order/start.htm http://order.starfall.org/k/shop/start.html
We LOOOOOOOVE Starfall! She you keep mentioning Steck Vaughn, I'm going to have to see if they have them at the homeschool store in Virginia Beach. I'm heading down there later this week to see what else they have and pick up my SOTW. I did get some Harcourt Family Publisher books from Barnes& Noble week before last for Spelling Skills, Reading Skills and Language Arts- they are 1st grade books and really good. More for supplemental books but dd is really enjoying them. The Reading Skills book is excellent. I don't recall any phonics books though- but I think some of that is covered in the Spelling Skills and Language Arts but I'm not positive.
We are doing first grade this year. We have used "Explode the Code" i bought both the student and teachers guides and have found both to be great. I have learned alot about how to teach by using the teachers guides. The books are cheap and can be purchased as you go. We use phonics readers that we had and others from the library to supplement this program. Phonics rules, writing practice and reading are all built in. EPS is the publisher for explode the code, and many other popular materials used in both home and public school settings. I also recommend examining the Stech Vaughn materials. I am not familiar with their phonics program but have enjoyed their materials for other subjects.
My dd is in K and has gone from not even knowing her letter sounds at by Christmas break (gee thanks, expensive private school!) to now reading. We used Letter Factory to teach basic sounds. Then we started "Teach Your Child to Read in 20 easy lessons". For workbooks we use Explode the Code series. So far so good!!!
That is awsome Shannon! Just goes to show that even private schools don't do what they should in some places. Dd was in a christian preschool from 3-4 and they did teach those things. In fact her first preschool at 3 was TOO academic and while she did learn a lot, she hated it. They didn't have fun. They had 3 year olds sitting at the tables writing their letters and numbers for a good half or more. TORCHER on kids like dd lol. The private schools around here are very good for the most part. Most of them have the kids reading before they even enter Kindergarten and academically they are a year ahead of the public schools. We'd have dd in private school if we could afford it.
She - great point on Starfall...I've always thought of ordering the books to give them "off line" practice for the reading. When I did it with my oldest, we printed out the books and pasted the pages on construction paper. Then she got to color them and stuff. Although...we got rid of them before we moved. So I've been thinking of buying the books! LOL
We used Learning Language Arts through Literature this year and really liked it. They have little books that go along with it that go through the phonics. We read the Bob books, too, which also helped. http://www.commonsensepress.com/blue.htm http://www.bobbooks.com/
Steck-Vaughn Phonics http://www.amazon.com/Phonics-Level...714723-0257443?ie=UTF8&qid=1176217575&sr=11-1 http://www.amazon.com/Phonics-Level...714723-0257443?ie=UTF8&qid=1176217608&sr=11-1 http://www.amazon.com/Phonics-Level...714723-0257443?ie=UTF8&qid=1176217638&sr=11-1
ANother one a friend mentioned to me today and someone here had mentioned, Rod and Staff. I think I may order it since it's reasonable and if she doesn't like it then not much money lost. Also I really like the look of Explode the Code books.
Explode the code is Boring black and white. I was turned off of them just because the younger kids need to have some "life" to their worksheets. That is why I like the SV because they are more do I dare say "fun". lol SV has the rule and then it has them do work that applies that rule. Ok...now don't get me wrong I reread that and it sounds like I'm slammin' Explode the Code. I'm not just...I'm not impressed by them for the price. We use Rod & Staff English and it's real good. No color but...SOLID.
