phonics Hi, When I started teaching my twin boys how to read, I went onto ebay, bought hooked on phonics (used) for about $50 and we used that. I had never taught anyone to read and I was sort of in a state of panic. I have to tell you that within 6 months they were reading . Now they are 8 and can read almost anything. Their spelling is improving but I think that is due to AOP Lifpacs language arts. So hooked on phonics worked for us! I hear good and bad about all kind of programs. The big thing is....does it work? If it works for you great! Everyone is different. Besides, hooked on phonics is easy enough for your child to use almost all by themselves....helps foster independence!
We are doing 1st grade this year and using Saxon Phonics. We started with Saxon in K. It is a bit pricey but I figure we are going to use it for 4 kids so after the initial investment not too bad... Caleb loves Phonics and is reading really well. I am learning LOTS too! I had no idea WHY words were spelled the way they were, I just knew how they were spelled. He is reading and spelling great! Still not sure if we are going to use Saxon Phonics 2 next year or not but DH says we should for consistency and so that the kids can get a complete foundation for reading and spelling that he missed out on. (He was in public school when they completely phased out of phonics for a couple years and still struggles with it!) Anyway, we love Saxon Phonics. Not as impressed with the Math for K so we left it for a while. Will probably pick it back up when he's older.
