I taught both boys to read using nothing but the good ol' alphabet (gasp!).
It takes a certain amount of time and practice, and we're finally adding up enough hours to be fluid and stumble less.
I have heard great things from several people about the book "Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons", so broke down and bought it last Spring.
This is what I've been using for Susanna over the last few months, going along at our own pace.
First of all, Sue (age 5) already knew her alphabet and sounds, so that was a start I would recommend before beginning this book.
Secondly, each lesson includes a sound writing lesson (writing out the new letter), which Susanna absolutely refused to do when we started.
Because of that I halted the program until deciding to omit that piece. Why make reading a battle? She really wanted to read, she just wasn't ready to write.
Susie's been through about 40 lessons so far and she is READING short stories!!!
Last of all, we sometimes do several chapters a day (each takes about 15-20 minutes of time working together); and sometimes we don't do a chapter for several weeks.
I like that the lessons/chapters are numbered and I always know right where to pick up!
We've created our own pace this way.
Olivia is just getting familiar with the Alphabet and though not yet 4 years old, if she wants to start reading along with her siblings, I think she could start this book too.
I have been very pleased this far, and would highly recommend giving it a try. I won't be surprised to find that it's not the silver bullet for every one of my children, but if it works for any of them I say "HOORAY!!"
Here's a little demonstration:-)
Great job Susanna!
ReplyDeleteI've been hearing some great things about that book too. Maybe I'll have to check it out! Heidi's been showing a lot of interest, but as usual, she doesn't want to start small and learn the letters, she wants to READ. Maybe if it came from a book it would be more acceptable to her.
You know, this book took some getting used to for momma - it's a little strange and I held my breath, but what is super-duper cool is that it starts off with a few basic sounds that allowed Sue to read (three word sentence) stories that they put together.
ReplyDeleteINSTANT success!
She felt so victorious and she hasn't slowed down ever since.
I'm think Olivia is ready so I'm sure Heidi would eat it up!
:-)
Thanks for posting about this! We are slowly working on the alphabet with our firstborn, but neither my husband or I were home schooled until high school, so we are trying to gather info on resources. We will remember this one! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a smile! Praise indeed to this little one who is reading and enjoying being taught by the best teacher of all. :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww, what a smart (and may I add polite) little princess!
ReplyDeleteWe are using this for Brooklyn. Shes not a huge fan of it as she'd rather just READ...but we're getting there.
ReplyDeleteYou know? You are the second person in three days to mention this book! I might have to look into it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've used this with all my kids. I love the short lessons and that they don't have to be writing, yet to be able to learn to read. I love that it's scripted so I don't get impatient and blurt out the wrong thing!
ReplyDeleteThis is what we have been using too. I don't do the writing. I use it with both my 5 and 4 year olds. I just posted a video of the two year old using it too. She wants to be like her sisters. She is just playing around with the letters. I used Hooked on Phonics with my oldest and I like 100 lessons much better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Tell Sue great job! That is awesome. Gotta jump in bed. Early morning tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Di
Beautiful, Susie! Thanks for showing us how well you can read already!
ReplyDeleteWe love you!
Gramsie & Pops