Teach a Child to Read with Children's Books

[Chloe]

I'd love to hear from anyone who has read this. Would you recommend it? Could you explain the method used. Where, if at all, does phonics instruction fit in?

Thanks!

[Wee Pip]

Oh my, I love this book!! I wrote about it on my old blog, back in 2006 - here's the link: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/IBlog/228644/

I hope that explains it. Let me know if something isn't clear.

[Chloe]

Thanks Sarah! I think I'm going to give it try.

[Sue G in PA]

Could you answer a few questions for me? Do you use a phonics program along with this book (like ETC or something similar)? I just can't fathom NOT teaching phonics! I really liked the looks of the program as a whole, though, as I'm already witnessing my dd2 who can "memorize" complete books and respond correctly to my pointing to a word. Simply amazing. I'd like to try this out with her and also use it with ds5 now working through MFW K. Is it hard to teach? Time-intensive? Cause time is something I don't have a bunch of! I did read your review...very helpful.

[Tonia]

You can download a copy of the book online (http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED413577&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED413577). Just look for the little PDF icon.

[Chloe]

Sue, I agree about wanting to use some kind of phonics with this. I just ordered the book and plan to use ETC with it. My ds5 actually prefers to write words rather than sit with a phonics primer and go through reading lessons sounding out words. He's always asking me how to spell words so he can write them. I don't have the time or patience for something like SWR, because I know I would neglect to read aloud to him as much if I went that route. He loves to be read to, so I'm hoping the TCRCB/ETC combination works.

[Wee Pip]

I do think using some sort of phonics primer is a good idea to use alongside TCRCB. Now, if your a mom that feels pretty confident in teaching basic phonics on your own, then I don't think you need a phonics instruction book. If you want something a little more brainless, then I think something like Reading Reflex, OPGTTR, or Explode the Code workbooks work well alongside TCRCB. In fact, I tend to use TCRCB more as a teaching philosophy & for its booklists then for a lesson plan. For my 7yo - she went thru a year of BJU phonics, & then a year of SWR, and I had absolutely killed her joy of reading by enforcing strict phonics. TCRCB really helped bring it all together & eventually, brought that joy of reading that I was really aiming for in the first place. For my 5yo, I started her on a few TCRCB booklist books, but found that she really needed a little more time spent in phonics instruction & sight words before we could go further. Right now, I'm working thru BJU's easy readers & Explode the Code with her - but my plan is to pick TCRCB back up again next year & use it alongside Explode the Code. I noticed that my 7yo had very laborious reading & we were really slowed down by phonics & seeking perfection in that. TCRCB helped us relax, make mistakes, and enjoy the story for the stories sake. With my 5yo, she has no fear of making mistakes, and loves to guess words instead of reading them! LOL. So I felt it was a good thing for us to put TCRCB on hold and work on building skills first.

[weedots]

I am now on the third child with this book. I did not supplement with any other phonics program until after the book was finish. Then I went on with My Father's World 1st Grade, which has an excellent phonics workbook and Bible Reader. My 9 year old is reading and comprehending at a 10th grade level. My 7 year old is reading at a 5th grade level. My 5 year old just started the program 2 months ago and is doing great! It is helpful if they know the names of the letters and if they know the basic phonic sound of each letter, though it is not neccessary. Words that are not "phonically correct", (which there are a few in the English language), we call outlaw words...that seems to help the children remember them better. Let me know if you have any quesitons.

Robin