Have you used "Reading and Reasoning"?

[2smartones]

I have a PG 4 year old who taught himself to read at 22 mos, completed the ETC series on his own in 3 months (age 3), the BTC series in 6 weeks (age 4), and is working on MegaWords now (guessing it'll also take about 2-3 months). Do you know anything about the R&R series? Is it even worth our time? I see that it goes up to appx 7-8 grade where the others are only 4th. He loves these workbooks (most PG children don't like workbooks, I know!). He "can" read anything you give him, but he's 4. He prefers things like Thomas the Train ... which of course don't give him the challenge he needs.

I should add that, while he can "read" anything, and his vocab/comprehension level is higher than the norm, it's not nearly as high as his reading level.

[Mandamom]

I used it several years ago (although with a typical child and not gifted) and I'm not sure what you'd get from it in your situation. I guess it depends on what your goal is. The series jumps pretty quickly in comprehension/inference type questions.

If you are just looking for Reading Comprehension workbooks I do use and prefer Reading Comprehension Varied Subject Matter.

[2smartones]

I'd really like to work on his comprehension and inference skills, so that's why I was looking at this series.

[priscilla]

I would consider just lots of you reading great books to your child. You could also informally discuss what you read afterwards in a fun sort of way. With my ds, I explain new words when they come up:) TWTM has many suggestions for read a loud books as well as discussion ideas.

[WendyK]

I would consider just lots of you reading great books to your child. You could also informally discuss what you read afterwards in a fun sort of way. With my ds, I explain new words when they come up:) TWTM has many suggestions for read a loud books as well as discussion ideas. That is what we do. I was searching high and low for the perfect reading program. I never found one. And everything I tried was just too easy (and boring). I was afraid I wouldn't do it right without a program. I have since gotten over that. We now just read and discuss books.

I think what enhances comprehension is background knowledge (which is obtained through reading extensively across subject matter).

[nmoira]

My eldest sounds rather like your son, but, with the exception of reading the word lists in OPG (we skipped the lessons), I didn't do any formal reading work with her.

He "can" read anything you give him, but he's 4. He prefers things like Thomas the Train ... which of course don't give him the challenge he needs.But he's content reading Thomas because it's interesting to him, no? Many young children don't find the life experiences and concerns of much older children compelling, no matter how well written. I find that interest and experience feed on each other, and there's no harm waiting a bit for the other to catch up. Is he telling you he needs a challenge?

DD the Elder is just turned 8, but I still don't assign reading. I have, however, made a not inconsiderable effort to surround her with lots of higher level materials that will be interesting to her and still do frequent read-alouds. My philosophy is that if it's important enough that young kids should be exposed it, it's important enough to read aloud. Period. For example, I think the girls be used to relatively antiquated language, so we frequently read things like Lang's coloured Fairy Books, E. Nesbit, Howard Pyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Rose and the Ring, etc. Myths, legends, fairy tales, epics and folktales... those too. I think one of the reasons DD the Elder reads these types of works on her own as well is that she was never asked to read them, only to sit back and enjoy them.

[nmoira]

and is working on MegaWords now (guessing it'll also take about 2-3 months)This was rolling around in my head a bit yesterday.

How do you do Megawords with a 4yo? And how can you finish the series in 2-3 months? Or is there another program called Megawords than the EPS spelling/vocab series of which I'm not aware?

[2smartones]

This was rolling around in my head a bit yesterday.

How do you do Megawords with a 4yo? And how can you finish the series in 2-3 months? Or is there another program called Megawords than the EPS spelling/vocab series of which I'm not aware?

The EPS series is the only one I'm aware of. I'm not sure what you're asking or whether I should take offense. :confused: No, he's not able to write yet, if that's what you mean. He does almost all of his work (for all subjects) either orally with me, or silently in his room, and then tells me about it when he's finished. If he can spell the words on the MW list, answer the activity questions, and use the words in the context of a new sentence, I know he knows them. :001_huh: He prefers to do a lesson per day most of the time.

[2smartones]

But he's content reading Thomas because it's interesting to him, no? Many young children don't find the life experiences and concerns of much older children compelling, no matter how well written. I find that interest and experience feed on each other, and there's no harm waiting a bit for the other to catch up. Is he telling you he needs a challenge?

I totally agree!! The only "older" subject that really sparks his interest is dragons. We love reading together and talking about the stories we read. I think it's important to read aloud together no matter how old you get. Since writing the original post, I've acquired a copy of "Some of My Best Friends Are Books", so I plan to start using that as my guide in the coming semester.

[nmoira]

The EPS series is the only one I'm aware of. I'm not sure what you're asking or whether I should take offense. :confused: While it wouldn't be my choice to work on formal spelling at that level with a 4yo, PG or not, that's another issue. I am curious about the logistics of working through the eight books of the series in a matter of a couple months. FWIW, I have no intention of continuing formal spelling after DD the Elder finished Megawords. She will however, be continuing with the Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts materials, including the vocab books.

If this is a passion of his, you might wish to check out eSpindle (http://www.espindle.org/). I saw it recommended on these boards a few weeks back and I was initially rather shocked by the pricing. I've since read some good reviews on the program, however.

No, he's not able to write yet, if that's what you mean. He does almost all of his work (for all subjects) either orally with me, or silently in his room, and then tells me about it when he's finished. If he can spell the words on the MW list, answer the activity questions, and use the words in the context of a new sentence, I know he knows them. :001_huh: He prefers to do a lesson per day most of the time.By lesson, you mean list?

[nmoira]

Since writing the original post, I've acquired a copy of "Some of My Best Friends Are Books", so I plan to start using that as my guide in the coming semester.This books was not written with EG/PG kids in mind. I found this strongest in the specific recommendations for myths and folktales (see if you can find the older edition, under a different title... there were some now OOP gems included in it). However, the sequencing I've found to be spot on, albeit off by few years.

[Bird Girl]

We enjoy the Sonlight Core selections; if you get one of their catalogs, you can treat it like a book list. I do order my curriculum from them, but obviously, you can use the library or another source. They have a wonderful range of classics, newer useful editions of myths and legends, and are very mindful of books that have appropriate subject matter for young children, though many have a challenging vocabulary level. We have Core1 and Core P4/5, and my daughter read and enjoyed all of the Core P4/5 books even at age 7.