I'm feeling lazy tonight so I thought I'd see what ya'll had to say before I started researching. I have a friend with a 6yr old dd. They are using Rod and Staff reading/phonics and her daugher is really struggling. I think this is partly due to the fact that she was in ps pk-3 through k and picked up the idea that anything new is hard. I've worked with her a few times and once she gets past that she does ok. Also her mom is not to crazy about homeschooling in the first place so she doesn't put much, if any, extra effort into preperation or planning. I don't have a lot of experience with this but I'm guessing her dd is on the low side of average as far as reading goes. I talked to my friend today and she said so far they have only gotten through around 40 lessons this year (curr. is laid out to do 1 lesson a day). I said something like that's fine, as long as she's 'getting it' it doesn't matter how slow you go. But she said dd is not getting it and is still struggling. So my question.... do you have any recommendations for a good 1st grade (or 2nd, they probably wouldn't switch until next year) language arts program that is fairly easy to do. Preferably something that's extremly easy to teach. I think my friend would put more effort into teaching if she could see real results. As it is, she just has kind of a 'let's just get through it' attitude and it's rubbing off on her dd. We use R/S and love it so I'm not much help for her. I thought about recommending Lifepacs because it's pretty student led. What do ya'll think? Lisa
Ok, no real help because I'll be looking for 1st grade myself for next year...but I got my 1st grade R & S sample book today in the mail (yippee!! since I needed 1,3, & 5th) and I think that their 1st grade reading/phonics/LA looks great BUT I can tell just from the sample that it would not be a good fit for my son (unless I really slowed it down for him). The word list in the sample book has words that I know my older girls never learned that young....although they could have if they'd been using a nice Bible-based program like R & S. Are you looking for one big program? For example, many 2nd grade have a separate reading, a separate LA (grammar/writing), separate spelling, etc. Maybe its just that your friend needs a different reading program but R & S English 2 would be fine. We're planning to switch to R & S English for my girls next year (3rd and 5th grade) but as I mentioned, don't think my son is ready for R & S 1st grade....so we'll go with First Lang Lessons (since I own it) and supplement with a Spectrum LA workbook (or something similar) for worksheet reinforcement. He's doing HOP and Explode the Code for reading/phonics (since I already owned HOP and its working for him... my girls didn't like it before pub sch...but I kept it anyway). Hope others chime in. I didn't HS mine when the girls were in 1st (except for 2 month the end of last yr) so I've only used limited resources at this point...but I'm interested in what other use. Rhonda C.
I think she probably will want one program that includes everything L/A related. I think they are just overwhelmed with R/S. She said her dd has a lot of trouble remembering/applying all the phonics rules, which of course effects her reading. Lisa
I used Lifepac L/A for 2nd and also this year for 3rd. I think they are very easy to use, follow, apply, etc. And there is minimal parental prep. In 2nd grade I sat right next to her and we read everything over together...she did the self tests and big tests alone, but I helped her study. Third grade she does her work independently and she only calls on me if she needs help understanding. We go over the self tests and tests together before taking them (well, I quiz her to make sure she has the concept.). It's a nice pace for a slower child, I think. It doesn't move too fast...and I think it helps build confidence. I would definitely supplement with good literature, though! We do that thru a girls book club she is involved in. Anyway...for L/A I do like Lifepacs.
My son is struggling with reading as well. We are using Explode the Code which is working well with him -- though we aren't breaking any records getting through it. It isn't the easiest of programs for the parent, because it isn't laid out into nice, scripted lessons like some curriculums. Also, you have to pick up your own phonics readers. A friend of mind who teaches remedial reading recommends Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. She swears by it. She says that the parent must read the entire introduction to understand the program, but after that, it is a mere 20 or so minutes a day. She says that the child learns to read without realizing it. That method was also recommended by Susan Wise-Bauer in her book The Well-Trained Mind. (I think that is the right title.) Her mother Jesse Wise has produced her own reading program which might be worth looking into. I would not recommend Veritas's Phonics Museum for a struggling reader. I used it with my daughter, and she did great with it, but it was not right for my son. However, it was very easy to use as everything is provided and the lessons are laid out very clearly. I hope you are able to help your friend and reenergize her. It is frustrating homeschooling when the successes come so slowly, but that patient, steady one on one attention can really pay off for a child who is struggling. (A bit of encouragement for her: My husband was a late reader. He tells me that he didn't take off with reading until after third grade, going from the lowest reading group to the highest. He is a voracious reader now, and remembers ever detail he has ever read -- it's really quite disgusting!)
I tried 100 easy lessons....I would say for a mom who doesn't really want to invest the time (shame really) that might not work for her. I know for me and my daughter it always ended in arguments! I was so glad to return it to the library and move on to something else. I would have tried it with my son (different learning style), but he taught himself how to read. Does this mom know about www.starfall.com ?
We tried Explode the Code and hated it I still have all the unused workbooks.... I stand by Pathway readers for language arts. My son has been using them since first grade and after last year he placed as a 9th grader for vocabulary and comprehension. It's an all inclusive program, phonics, reading, and comprehension. When we grew out of the basic phonics we started Climbing to Good English for grammar and we still use both of these, though this will be the last year. Sample pages below but you can also order them from www.learningthings.com http://www.pathwayreaders.com/
I like Steck-Vaughn Phonics books. They are colorful and get the phonics basics for the kiddos. You can order them direct but...it is way easier to get them off Amazon. Try starfall.com they have a lot of great resources on there for free play and also print out. You can order the books already printed for "pennies". Ordinary Parents Guide to teaching reading by SWB is good and real basic. Old Mac Donald song with letters is a favorite goofy one of my kids. They always laugh when we do it. Yes...maybe we put a bit more than the dry way it could be. Look for rhyming type games. I still swear by Dr. Seuss who has all the rhymes in his books. I hope the mom can "be bothered" to try and give the kid a decent education.
Thought of this after I turned off the computer last night....2 friends are using Horizons for 1st grade. One is using the Reading & Phonics (missinseattle...she might post about it) and another is using the Spelling and Vocabulary. I looked at it for my son but didn't feel it was a good fit for the K program (moved a bit fast for him)....still pondering for 1st grade. Technically, they're sold separately (R & P is one set and S & V is another workbook) but they can be used together as well. They're from Alpha Omega (the publisher of LifePacs). Rhonda C.
Thanks everyone! I know.... it's really hard for me to see her not putting forth much effort. I'll pass these along, hopefully something will sound good to her. I think she really does care about her dd's education, but she's struggling with a lot of personal issues now and it's kind of fallen down on her list. Lisa
Last year, I did Language Lessons for the Young Child with Phillip. VERY Charlotte Mason, lessons are REALLY short and precise, not much to them. It worked well for us. This year, I went into the NEXT book, Language Lessons for the Elementary Child. I found that it's too much like the first one, not systematic enough for second grade. So I've switched to English for the Thoughtful Child. Again, very Charlotte Mason, but has more to it than the other.
We use Learning Language Arts through Literature and really like it. The first grade book has little readers that cover the basic phonics, and then you move on to real books.
Why doesn't your friend go back to the very basics and start fresh? Her child is still young and could benifit from doing so. She will not be any more behind, if she goes back, than if she continues to struggle with what they are already doing. I can't help thinking that no matter what they use, if the mom isn't willing to put in the extra effort, she is waisting their time. Patty
Jackie, were can I find that book- Language Lessons for the Young Child? I have looked around the net this morning and can't find it anywhere, not even on Amazon.
I know.... it's really hard for me because I enjoy hsing and put a lot of thought and effort into what we do. I'm hopeful her dd is doing better than she says, maybe I just caught her on a bad day. Lisa
I used and still use First Language Lessons and Ordinary Guide to Teach Reading with my 2nd Grader. We tried 100 Easy Lesson and it didn't go well though it's working for my son.
I'm using First Language Lessons with my Middle and he loves it! We do a lesson a day - maybe 3 a week. It is parent intensive, but it only takes us about 15 MAYBE 20 minutes a day. I usually make a handwriting sheet that corresponds to the lesson of the day.
