Teaching Reading
I have been spoiled. My first student taught herself how to read at age 4. She loved it and always begged for more. I came to the conclusion that that was normal. Everyone else was just weird. Which was honestly a very stupid way to think because I'm not or have ever been that way. You have to have the desire to want to learn something or else your going to struggle your way through it.
That is why I'm on the search for a reading program for my second student. Who reading just doesn't come as easy for. I've stressed myself out over it and make mistakes. Now I have several options to chose from. My main focus besides teaching her how to read is also teaching her how to love to read. I have to make something that I never really cared for enjoyable. I'm slowly learning to like good books. I've just finished Children of Huur by JR Tolkin and am almost done with The Journey to the Center of the Earth. It takes me a long while but I still enjoy them, which is what I want to instill.
Here are the programs I've accumulated, some are just books that can be read along with other programs. Many can be used together or at different intervals in the process.
Starfall books - starfall.com has 15 free online and printable books along with phonics practice games and certificates.
Hooked on Phonics - I took some advice from mom's I follow and realize it's just not for us. We honestly hate the program. However the game $ is fun but you will be paying for it both in price and download space. The workbooks are pointless but the actual reading books are nice but a little advanced. Maybe we'll look at them a little more down the road.
McGuffey's - Primer and First reader are awesome for about the first 5 lessons then they jump and leap to a difficulty that is a little beyond my little ones. Beyond that the stories are boring and very outdated. I do however love the thrid, fourth and fifth readers that have great stories, questions and morals, but that's a few years away from now.
Phonics Practice - This is an awesome book that I've worked a lot with. My first used it as a take off point. Once she learned how to read the first story or 2 she took off onto self reading. I've made word lists and videos to help my future learners but it takes some time. I'm not sure if it's still worth it.
Clarkness - While looking for something I could use online I came across these cute little starter books. They are the easiest of readers I have ever found though VERY repetitive are easy to progress though. I think that also helps build confidence I just wish I could have them in paper (without printing forever pages.)
Dick and Jane - This has been our best book so far. The Treasury of Dick and Jane is a large yellow book with three different books in it. Why would anyone use the name Dick? It really is bothersome but the stories are perfect. She loved to sit and read them at first. Now they have gotten a bit long and I fear daunting. We have cut back from 1 story a day to one page. She quickly finishes the story then says in a very firm voice "I'm done." and shuts the book.
I like the progression of Clarkness books and they are very simple to get through, then I think we'll work on the starfall books, the games will help cement the phonics and the full color pictures and cute characters will lead to a more enjoyable experience. I think we'll still read our Dick and Jane book but not necessarily as an assignment but in free reading in the afternoon.
Then eventually we'll start step into reading books from the library. That is when the fun will really begin. I think if you focus on encouraging the love of reading the learning will take care of itself (especially in the early ages). Ok now that I have that figured out maybe I can get some productive lesson planning underway :) Third times a charm right !
That is why I'm on the search for a reading program for my second student. Who reading just doesn't come as easy for. I've stressed myself out over it and make mistakes. Now I have several options to chose from. My main focus besides teaching her how to read is also teaching her how to love to read. I have to make something that I never really cared for enjoyable. I'm slowly learning to like good books. I've just finished Children of Huur by JR Tolkin and am almost done with The Journey to the Center of the Earth. It takes me a long while but I still enjoy them, which is what I want to instill.
Here are the programs I've accumulated, some are just books that can be read along with other programs. Many can be used together or at different intervals in the process.
Starfall books - starfall.com has 15 free online and printable books along with phonics practice games and certificates.
Hooked on Phonics - I took some advice from mom's I follow and realize it's just not for us. We honestly hate the program. However the game $ is fun but you will be paying for it both in price and download space. The workbooks are pointless but the actual reading books are nice but a little advanced. Maybe we'll look at them a little more down the road.
McGuffey's - Primer and First reader are awesome for about the first 5 lessons then they jump and leap to a difficulty that is a little beyond my little ones. Beyond that the stories are boring and very outdated. I do however love the thrid, fourth and fifth readers that have great stories, questions and morals, but that's a few years away from now.
Phonics Practice - This is an awesome book that I've worked a lot with. My first used it as a take off point. Once she learned how to read the first story or 2 she took off onto self reading. I've made word lists and videos to help my future learners but it takes some time. I'm not sure if it's still worth it.
Clarkness - While looking for something I could use online I came across these cute little starter books. They are the easiest of readers I have ever found though VERY repetitive are easy to progress though. I think that also helps build confidence I just wish I could have them in paper (without printing forever pages.)
Dick and Jane - This has been our best book so far. The Treasury of Dick and Jane is a large yellow book with three different books in it. Why would anyone use the name Dick? It really is bothersome but the stories are perfect. She loved to sit and read them at first. Now they have gotten a bit long and I fear daunting. We have cut back from 1 story a day to one page. She quickly finishes the story then says in a very firm voice "I'm done." and shuts the book.
I like the progression of Clarkness books and they are very simple to get through, then I think we'll work on the starfall books, the games will help cement the phonics and the full color pictures and cute characters will lead to a more enjoyable experience. I think we'll still read our Dick and Jane book but not necessarily as an assignment but in free reading in the afternoon.
Then eventually we'll start step into reading books from the library. That is when the fun will really begin. I think if you focus on encouraging the love of reading the learning will take care of itself (especially in the early ages). Ok now that I have that figured out maybe I can get some productive lesson planning underway :) Third times a charm right !
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