How to choose from Apples and Pears/Dancing Bears/Etc.

[MicheleB]

I'm not quite sure which book to start with for my sons. They are ages 9 and 10 but 9yo only decoded very simple CVC words (and even then not always accurately) and 10yo can read about a 1st grade level (?). 10yo is in Book 2 of Explode the Code.

I've looked over the series on their website (http://www.prometheantrust.org/usshop.htm) and I'm just not sure where to start. Part of me thinks I should start with Bearing Away, but I was wondering if it's very childish? Either Bearing Away or Bear Necessities, since I see that Necessities is slower-paced.

Have any of you used these earlier books before you went onto Apples and Pears? What would you recommend using first?

[Shay]

Hopefully Ottakee will chime in here, as she knows a good deal about Sound Foundation's products. I hesitate to give too much advice, since I've not used any of the products all the way through.

I bought and began to use Bear Necessities with a little girl I tutored at public school who was in her 2nd year of kindergarten. She still did not know letter sounds, and nothing else I was doing was working. Bear Necessities, although one of SF's "slower" products, moved too fast for her. In retrospect, I should have gotten Bearing Away. She had absolutely no problems putting a word together that I had segmented orally(p-ar-k), but she simply could not get letter-sound correspondences. Neither program are at all babyish (it took me awhile to even look at the product b/c I assumed with the "bear" names it was very childish.....that's not at all the case). BTW, I only got to work with her for about a month, so I couldn't switch to BA, but I do think that would have been perfect for her.

One difference I see in Bearing Away and Bear Necessities is that in BA you do multi-sensory activities, such as the letter tiles with recessed letters/sounds. Once the child knows a sound very well, they are awarded a flashcard, and these are reviewed daily. There is a good deal of "overlearning" in the program if the child needs it. By the middle, the child starts "bearly reading" with CVC words. I believe some vowel digraphs (/ar/, for one) are incorporated.

With Bear Necessities, the pace is faster. With Dancing Bears, it is faster still. I think I would be inclined to recommend BN for your 10yo and Bearing Away for the 9yo. Both programs are done before "entry" into the regular Dancing Bears sets. Both would set a firm foundation. I, personally, wouldn't start Apples/Pears until they finish one of the above mentioned books. I just started A&P with my ds (7) who is reading fairly well and it is going well, but I think it would have been too hard earlier in the game.

You know, if you got the letter tiles (I know they are expensive...wish I could figure out a cheaper alternative) you could use them with both boys even if in different books.

Also, feel free to email Hilary Burkard. She really does like to help and wants all kids to succeed.

HTH (until Ottakee can get here!)
Shay

[Ottakee]

First, have you tried the I See Sam books with them? www.3rsplus.com

That is where I would begin. Get through sets 1 and 2 of those and then start Bear Necessities.

My "ideal" program would be I See Sam sets 1 and 2. Then add in Bear Necessities while you continue with the I See Sam books. Once you get through the 3rd or 4th set of the I See Sam books, add in Apples and Pears Spelling.

I agree with emailing Hilsie as she is wonderful and very helpful.

[MicheleB]

Thank you, Shay and Ottakee. Very helpful! :)