reading programmes

[StephanieF]

Ds5 is currently working through OPGTR and is on lesson 107. In tandem we have been following a UK reading scheme which teaches 300 (sight words (with 500 others says the blurb) and has a bit of phonics thrown in. We are reaching the last book of the reading scheme and I feel as if we are loosing our safety net!
He can read the "Frog and Toad" type of books and we have a few of those along with various other odd books from the library. Do I look for another progressive scheme which consolidates what he knows and builds on it or do I leave that behind and just choose appropriate books. I personally would prefer to continue with a scheme as he is only 5 yrs old.
Any thoughts?
Stephanie

[Chris in VA]

You could add a reader, like the Pathway Readers (Amish--very, very sweet) or the Christian Liberty series (if those meshed with your beliefs), but honestly, I'd just read from the library. There are tons of books available on the Frog-and -Toad-level. You could try the old PD Eastman books and the Early Suess books (Cat in the Hat, A Fly Went By, Put Me in The Zoo, etc.)
But getting him into other books is probably appropriate, too. You could do "I'll read a page and then you read a page" and get into books like Magic Treehouse, Nate the Great, Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge, and other easy books.
The more motivated he is to read, the higher he'll go--sometimes quite quickly. Even if he doesn't get every word, he'll work harder if he has a real book to read (unless he gets easily overwhelmed). Real books with real plots and interesting characters have a big draw around here.

[StephanieF]

I'm sure you are right Chris! I suppose because my older 2 who go to school went through reading schemes I expect him too! A lot of the library books over here are complete rubbish but I like your suggestions and will try and get some of those.
Thanks for your help!
Stephanie