What do you use after AAR Level 2?

[Whitney]

My 6 year old is half way through AAR Level 2 and it is EASY for him. He doesn't even blink at the practice pages and can read one in about 5 minutes.

So when we finish level 2, what should I do next? Each level is pretty expensive so Level 3 feels like over kill to me but at the same time I want him to have a great phonics base to work from and I have 2 more kids coming up after him that can use it. TIA!

 

[Syllieann]

We move to a spell to read after level 2. By that point you can start getting readers from the library. I used sound beginnings, which is a Catholic program. Reading lessons through literature wasn't available yet, but I would use that if I had to buy something new today. That covers phonics via spelling, includes reading material, and incorporates handwriting.

[ReadingMama1214]

We switched from AAR to ordinary Parents Guide to teaching Reading. We only used the pre leve of AAR, but it was obvious that my dd would fly through the program. OPGTR is only $20 and goes to a 4th grade reading level.

[MerryAtHope]

You could also switch to spelling if he doesn't really need reading instruction. Just keep having him read aloud to you, and see if his skills keep growing without direct instruction, help him with harder words, etc... Some kids do take off on their own after awhile. All About Spelling is a complete phonics program, so it will fill in any gaps. You could also see if he's ready to bump up to AAR 4 when he finishes 2 if you do want to continue direct reading instruction--here's the Level 4 placement test. That level takes kids up to high school level word-attack skills (things like dividing words into syllables, making analogies to other words, sounding out the word with the accent on different word parts, recognizing affixes, etc…) It introduces more literary terms, explores varying dialects and regional language, and explores words containing influences from Greek, French, Spanish, and Italian.