jens2sons Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 If you had to choose between these two programs (IEW Primary Arts of Language Reading/writing (or) Peacehill Press OPGTR/FLL1/WWE1) what would YOU choose and why? I'm having a hard time deciding between the two. I need a program that will allow me to jump in and start my ds where he needs to be and both of these programs seem like a good fit for that. The program we currently have is too difficult to place him where he needs to be because it jumps around and has no scope or sequence in the teacher guide for me to follow. In order for it to work, we'd have to go backwards to move forwards. What are the pros and cons of these programs? For those whom have used the programs from early on, how is it going for you and your student? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammarGirl Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I have both and would choose PHP hands down. My dd was already reading well when she turned 5 so PAL's phonetic farm was a quick way of introducing her to the rest of the phonograms. She could already read the sight words phonetically. I am not a fan of non-systematic, intensive phonics programs and think PAL would be confusing and slow going for a beginner. I am currently using OPG with my almost 4 year old. It is systematic, intensive, easy to use, and working great. Having used PAL with a child who had already done a good bit of phonics, I'd say it'd be hard to jump in and pick up where your child's skill is. It jumps around so much that you could be teaching a random consonant sound one day and then the aw/au the next, then doing something like silent e the next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jens2sons Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 I have both and would choose PHP hands down. My dd was already reading well when she turned 5 so PAL's phonetic farm was a quick way of introducing her to the rest of the phonograms. She could already read the sight words phonetically. I am not a fan of non-systematic, intensive phonics programs and think PAL would be confusing and slow going for a beginner. I am currently using OPG with my almost 4 year old. It is systematic, intensive, easy to use, and working great. Having used PAL with a child who had already done a good bit of phonics, I'd say it'd be hard to jump in and pick up where your child's skill is. It jumps around so much that you could be teaching a random consonant sound one day and then the aw/au the next, then doing something like silent e the next. So PHP is easier than PAL to jump in to if the child has some knowledge of phonics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I've used both and we dropped the Peace Hill stuff because there was no retention and it was boring to us all. PAL I really liked...I only used the writing part though as I used Phonics Pathways for learning to read. There are three parts to the program and when we got to the third part I put it aside as it was a bit advanced for my kids at that stage. I plan to pull it out again for next semester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaTX5 Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I've used both and we dropped the Peace Hill stuff because there was no retention and it was boring to us all. PAL I really liked...I only used the writing part though as I used Phonics Pathways for learning to read. There are three parts to the program and when we got to the third part I put it aside as it was a bit advanced for my kids at that stage. I plan to pull it out again for next semester. I have not used both, but I agree with the bolded part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammarGirl Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I think so. With PAL there's not a clear progression as there is in OPG. With OPG you can just look at the table of contents and see exactly what's covered to compare with what you've already done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I've used both. I vote PHP. PAL was so random to me. There were so many pieces and it was just so time consuming. PHP is easy to use with short lessons. My kids retain it well. We use FLL and WWE with AAR for reading. That's what we enjoy here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 I have not used PHP, but I vote against PAL. I love IEW TWSS, but I don't like PAL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mswin15 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I would NOT use PAL. We use it in our UMS so I don't have a choice about it and it is my very least favorite part of the curriculum. There are so many better options out there. The only thing I enjoy about it is the poetry that is used in the lessons. The farm folder is so annoying. The letter stories are overkill and confusing to my left brained child (what about a princess??). I really love Logic of English and am using it with my kindergartener who is at public school this year. I love the combo of LOE and WWE. I'm a huge WWE fan and we always have done it as a supplement because we enjoy it so much. But of your two options I would go with PHP :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAttachedMama Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I've tried both too. I would also vote for peace hill press. :) (Although, I don't care for OPGTR.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squawky Acres Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 I would also recommend PHP. We began PAL last fall with my children in K and 1st, who were already reading a few years ahead of grade level (we love OPGTR! So easy! So effective!) but weak on writing. I found PAL to be more time-consuming, confusing and Mom-intensive than I could handle with three younger children running around during lessons. We rarely got it done, and my children continued to fall behind in writing. I stopped using PAL and ordered FLL and WWE last spring. We also do Zaner-Bloser and AAS to round out our language arts program. We are moving through the PHP materials quickly, and having much more success at doing it faithfully every day because it is so easy to teach and easy for my children to know what is required. I just can't handle turning every subject into a project! I need to save my energy for doing more intensive math lessons, lots of great literature and reading, and projects in our content subjects. With my daughter in 2nd grade, we are about halfway through WWE1, and I do worry that we ought to do some more writing as it is quite easy for her and she could handle a lot more. She writes stories and poetry in her free time. I may actually bring out my PAL writing book and see if there is anything later on in the course that might be helpful for us to do as a supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jens2sons Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 Thank you so much everyone! This helps so so much. I agree with you 'Squawky Acres' about turning every subject into a project. Bleh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.