Advice Needed for Phonics Program

[mesiegler]

I first posted on this site back in July when I was trying to decide on curriculum. This is my first year homeschooling. I am using MFW for kindergarten and second grade... so I'm trying to do two curriculums at the same time. It's difficult! I should have taken the advice of someone who replied to my post back in July, who told me not to do two curriculums at once! Live and learn!

Anyway... I do like MFW so far, but I'm finding the phonics program a bit overwhelming in the way that it is laid out. My kids seem to be board with it too. I do like the way MFW combines the Science with the Bible though. I'm thinking of doing a different phonics program, like Explode the Code, and still using the Science and Bible with MFW.

Has anyone ever used Explode the Code? Thoughts?

Any advice is appreciated!

:) Mary Ellen

[Linda...inOwasso]

Explode the Code is great for practicing your phonics knowledge, but I wouldn't use it to teach a child to read. There are several really good phonics programs on the market to choose from. I'm assuming you're talking about your 4 & 5 year olds? If so, what did you use to teach your 8 yo to read?

I used Alpha-Phonics by Samuel Blumfield to teach my dd4 to read last year. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's incredibly easy, effective and inexpensive to use. The program is contained within 1 book (around $30 new, I think). You open it and start teaching. There are no cards, games, etc... and zero learning curve for the teacher.

The entire book is black & white with no drawings or pictures. You spend 10-15 min. TOPS each day and your child learns to read well. I do use Explode the Code NOW with my 5 yo, but mostly to give her handwriting practice and keep her busy while I'm working with her older sister.

Like I said, there are many programs that will do the job. Just don't feel like you have to spend a fortune and buy a bunch of *extras.* Sometimes all the bells & whistles just distract the child and prolong the learning process.

Best of luck to you!

[Pata]

We have used Explode the Code, but I agree with Linda that it is just for reinforcement. We used Abeka to start and it's very solid, but it's also drill and kill. We ended up using Hooked on Phonics. Also, there are plenty of free phonics games, just do a google search. That my help to liven up your sessions. There is alot out there to teach phonics, hope you find what works for you!

[mamaof2andtwins]

I am not familiar with what MFW uses to teach phonics. We used several programs, but eventually landed on Phonics Pathways as the best fit for all the girls. My son could have benefitted from it too, but he was older when I started using it.

I have used ETC. I did run into some retention problems with it. It is easy to learn the "system". I think it is good for review. I am actually considering purchasing some of the books again for my youngest who has spelling and phonics trouble. I would say, as the others have mentioned, it is good for review, but I wouldn't lean on it completely.

Jennie

[Chris in VA]

Another Phonics Pathways user here, along with Explode the Code. We used the Before the Code books in preschool, w/o most of the writing. Then we did EC 1, but that's as far as we got. I added in MCPlaid Phonics for some color, but again, did not use the entire book. They were just for reinforcement.

I made my own bingo-type games, used Montessori object boxes I bought off of ebay, wrote some of my own little books, used Bob Books, and made up little commands on strips of paper (Monti Command Game) for dd to do. In other words, I supplemented. Phonics Pathways was open and go, and we only spent 10-15 minutes on it every day, tops--it's cheap, efficient, doesn't use an alternate font, and works!

[mesiegler]

Thanks to everyone who responded regarding my question on a phonics curriculum!

Blessings...Mary Ellen

[Lovedtodeath]

I really really like MFW, but if it does not work for DS then I am leaning toward Phonics Pathways for him. I have decided that we are not doing Latin and that changed my LA goals. We have ETC and are using it as a supplement before we do spelling lessons on similar words. I really love most of PHP programs but OPG was not good for us. :(

There is a free program that I will probably try with DS before resorting to paying for PP. I will try and find it for you.

[Lovedtodeath]

Here it is!

FREE DOWNLOAD: Reading Made Easy with Blend Phonics for First Grade (http://donpotter.net/PDF/Reading%20Made%20Easy%20with%20Blend%20Phonics%20j ustified.pdf) (1980)

FREE DOWNLOAD: Word Mastery: A Course in Phonics for the First Three Grades (http://donpotter.net/PDF/Word%20Mastery%20-%20Typed.pdf)

More information on the above and additional resources: http://donpotter.net/ed.htm

[tiffany k]

I've used The Reading Lesson http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Lesson-Teach-Child-Lessons/dp/0913063029/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226614391&sr=8-1 with my three oldest kids. My ds7 and dd6 are excellent readers and it's working with my almost 5yo ds, too. We used ETC primers alongside it, but ETC 1 and up would work well, too, if they are up for the handwriting.

-Tiffany
ds7, dd6, ds4, dd3, ds1