Is AAR 4 needed?

[Meadowlark]

My 7 yr. old is halfway done with AAR 3, and I think we'll finish up around January. My oldest did 1-3 but only used 3 for the readers as he intuitively knew the rules by that point and the rule lessons were a waste of time. The next guy is a little different in that it doesn't come as naturally, although he's doing a lesson a day with no problem and sailing through the word cards. He just needs fluency practice and to see the words over and over.

 

My question is-do you think I should switch him over to just reading (I would use HOD's emergent readers w/ comprehension questions) or buy level 4? I LOVE AAR but don't want to spend the money if it'd be overkill. OTOH, I have 3 more to go through it so maybe it's be worth it? Just want to hear your thoughts if you've used it. Thx.

[ByGrace3]

We almost skipped it. My ds was reading well after AAR 3, but on a last minute decision we decided to buy it. I am so glad we did. AAR 4 was wonderful! The fluency pages are not as tedious, the stories are great, and I definitely thought it was worth it.

 

ETA: it was so good that now a year later, I think I am going to take my ds through the readers again for more multi syllable word practice. The truth is kids books don't have enough bigger words to keep the skill level high enough and I think he needs a refresher of some of those syllable rules and especially the other country influence words.

Edited November 27, 2015 by ByGrace3

[SevenDaisies]

Necessary - probably not, but It definitely depends on the kid. My oldest was a very natural reader, but my 9 year old son was not. He was very resistant and when we finally started he took forever to make it through level 1. Once we made it halfway through level 2 he had it, and we started to move much, much faster, but he definitely does better when he is explicitly taught the rules. I debated about purchasing level 4, but it took a lot of work and patience to get this child to the point where he is picking up books and reading for pleasure, and I didn't want to stop short and get to a point where he was frustrated with reading. I wish I could report whether it was worth it, but we've just begun.

Edited November 27, 2015 by SevenDaisies

[Jess4879]

I think it has a lot of value.  My middle kiddo is a natural reader, but working through AAR4 was definitely beneficial.

[kalusignan]

I'm about halfway though level 4 with my dd. I couldn't imagine NOT doing it! She is not a natural reader and really needs the explicit instruction and fluency practice. The stories in the readers never disappoint, and at this point, we complete about 1 lesson per day.

 

I could see possibly skipping with a very natural reader that could already read through the stories fluently. A child like that would probably get frustrated with the explicit instruction, but I haven't encountered that at all.

[Meadowlark]

Thanks everyone. I think you've persuaded me to buy it! Like many of your kids, this one would benefit from the explicit instruction. Plus, I just love the program so much that I hate not to do it. I too, don't want him to get frustrated so I feel good about the decision. Thanks again!

[serendipitous journey]

Just chiming in --esp. after hearing SWB comment on how valuable it is to finish an entire phonics program, even if the child "gets it" partway through, we're going all the way through AAR4.  I plan to pull in Reading Pathways for post-AAR training; I really liked it as a finishing program for my older.  It's quick, open-and-go, and effective. 

[Squawky Acres]

I think AAR4 is wonderful.  My two oldest completed OPGTR by first grade, and were reading kids' chapter books for pleasure at that point, but I still felt that some more practice with larger and more complicated words would help them.  Maybe we went through OPGTR too quickly -- but for some reason, I didn't feel "done."

 

After taking a break from reading instruction for a year or two, I gave them the placement test and bought AAR4, which I am going through rather quickly with my second and third graders.  After the first lesson, which took us quite a while as we were new to the program, we have been going at a rapid pace, and really enjoying the strategies and the stories.

 

Edited November 30, 2015 by Squawky Acres

[MerryAtHope]

I agree that for a natural reader, it wouldn't be needed (though some might still find it fun and learn some new skills), but for one that needs incremental instruction, it would be meaty and helpful. It takes kids up to high school level word-attack skills and includes words like chameleon, limousine, teleportation, vogue, horticulture, meringue, etiquette, deficient, premiere, etc... They get lots of practice with longer words, and words borrowed from other languages. You can see samples for all of the levels on this page, if you want to see inside the TM and readers. HTH some!

[UCF612]

My oldest did 1-3, 4 was not out yet. He's a natural reader. I'm 99% sure I'll be using level 4 with my youngest. He has to work harder at reading. I'm looking forward to it. I enjoy AAR!