What is the best curriculum for teaching K5 reading?

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Permalink Reply by MariaD on April 29, 2009 at 9:11am

We spent about two-three hours over two sessions, with the first half of "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons." I can't imagine actually doing it over 100 sessions, but the ideas were neat for a brief exploration. We also used a lot of graphic novels and comic books (e.g. "Far Side") where a lot of the meaning comes from the visuals rather than the text. Also typing in multi-user environments (computer games and other chats with friends and family) and kiddie typing tutors provided enough practice in these early years.

Our whole family reads way too much, so we had no doubts the kid will somehow pick it up. If parents read and if kids are involved in their parents' lives, they will pick up reading in the same way they pick up their native language(s).

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Permalink Reply by Tamma DeHart on April 29, 2009 at 9:20am

We used Sing, Spell, Read and Write and it worked great for us. K/level 1. You can find it just about anywhere on the web.

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Permalink Reply by Natalie on April 29, 2009 at 9:33am

We used Abeka K5 Phonics for all three of my boys. It uses phonics and slowly introduces reading by teaching the children blends and special sounds so that they are able to put words together by sounding them out. There are books for the children to read as well that are included in the curriculum that keep them engaged and excited about reading. It worked for all three of my boys and I would highly recommend it.

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Young on April 29, 2009 at 9:49am

We liked 100EZ lessons.

There are many other programs that have more bells and whistles and prettier pictures, but thsi was easy and self contained for us and all my children are avid readers.

We did supplement with other more fun readers after about lesson 60.

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Permalink Reply by Amie Carnes Coleman on April 30, 2009 at 7:35am

Thank you all for your help. I am researching each and every curriculum as I am introduced to them. Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Wendy Dewerse on July 10, 2009 at 5:09am

Believe it or not, after teaching all 5 of my children to read, my favorite tool is Hooked on Phonics! I've used several different methods, most more "homeschoolish" than HoP, but it has just been the easiest and quickest way for my last 3 kids to learn to read. They do love the sticker chart and working toward their goal, but I think it's the ability to feel successful every step of the way (due to great little readers) that really makes it work. Blessings!

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Permalink Reply by Kristy Trent on July 13, 2009 at 6:26am

I love the 100 Easy Lessons to Teaching Reading, but I don't incorporate the writing. I also often spend several days on one lesson, because it can be not so easy for the student sometimes. That is the wonderful thing about homeschooling though; you can adjust to fit the student's needs! My mom is a reading specialist, and she praises Abeka for their beginning reading and phonics. I do try to get my children into real books and away from readers as soon as possible!

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