That sounds like a great compromise - to teach the phonograms as they come up. It feels much more natural and less of a chore. Which phonics programme are you using forty-2? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope, I'm going to stick with my plan above. I've decided it's the 74 phonogram thing which is holding me back from RLTL and LOE. I just feel my son may get confused, I love the idea of it and I can see why it works but *I* think it would complicate things for me as well as my son. I'm going to keep it simple! Or at least try to! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh Lolo! Why did you tell me that [emoji85][emoji85][emoji85]! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow - you guys really know what your doing! I really wish I could be a 'one curriculum woman' and be satisfied - but i'm just not. I find things I love about programmes but the bits I don't like annoy me so much I either want to reconsider or complicate my life with DIY curriculum making! I do like the idea of RLTL - I always seem to come back to it but I'm just not convinced I need to teach all the phonograms from the get go. I think it's just that, that is holding me back. I'll have a look at the links you've all provided. Thank you. Hunter - what developmental markers are you referring to before starting cursive? Would you not recommend any writing before they're reading/spelling by syllables or are you just referring to starting cursive? My son has pretty much taught himself the upper and lower case letters in print form and he can copy things I write. I'm not going to bother teaching him proper manuscript, I'm going to straight to cursive, I love the Spencerian style but I'll probably go for something like the Palmer Method. I actually have 'Teaching Cursive: This Method Works' book. It looks pretty good. Great game Kat W! I have actually have 3 kids so they can all join in [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some great ideas and links everyone, thank you very much. In my head I want a scripted programme all layed out for me with some games, but one thing I'm realising after thinking about all that my son does know, is that he's learnt everything so far from the informal reading and other activities that we do which are fun, off the cuff, spontaneous.....this is the way of learning that in my head I prefer and would like as an ideal, but it scares me too! I feel like I want a guided programme as I trust everything will get done rather than my hodgepodge of learning every now and then (but that also seems to be working)! I'm a muddle I know! I like the alpha phonics as its well layed out, plenty of practice (unlike OPGTR - but I still love), but not so scripted that I would need the book in front of us. I'm thinking I could use the white board, coloured pens, letter tiles, some movement games as suggested above and combine it with the Mc Guffey sets or anything else I like and then when he gets to a word he doesn't know I could just explain the rule [emoji1]. Phew - feeling a bit more relaxed now! When using he Mc Guffey readers - is it a good idea to pre-read the story to him? Anyone know? Xxxx Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The alpha phonics reminds me of OPGTR but with a lot more built in practice. That makes me happy as I know so many people who have used and love OPGTR - for us there's just not enough practice. Would you say reading fluency is something that happens with practice or a developmental leap that just happens naturally? I don't want to push him if he's not ready. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hunter - thank you so much for the links. I just had a look at the alpha - phonics and the amount of practice given for each word family is great. Just what I think my son needs. I think ill probably use letter tiles on the board so he doesn't get put off having to read too many words. When (if), would you recommend bringing in some readers for practice - like the Mc Guffeys? I really want to try and use those or the Treadwell (I have the primer). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi, I started a thread the other day about which phonics packages you all recommend and I got some very helpful replies. In case you haven't read that thread, I mentioned that my 6yr old son can read CVC words and words with beginning and end blends. We've used the ordinary parents guide to teaching reading, on and off, at his pace, as we've purposefully delayed formal learning until now. We have a few basic readers which he'll read to me but we've actually stopped using OPGTR for now as I think he really doesn't like it. It's just too dry for him. He LOVES books when I read a loud and we have many Charlotte Mason book recommendations. I have been looking at LOE as I thought the cute colours and movement games would appeal to him (he's fidgety!) but it's expensive and not available where I live without huge import taxes. I do believe in the phonics method and I love the idea of teaching the phonograms but I also feel it could be overkill, complicating things more. I wasn't taught the 75 (?) phonograms and I'm doing okay (I think!). I have misplaced my Ruth beechicks 3 R's book, but I'm inclined to think that learning how to read should be pretty easy if the child is ready. Thoughts? I'm so confused about which method to use - intensive phonics, phonics, sight word and phonics! I already have a Treadwell Primer but I've been reading about the Mc Guffeys and the stories sound great, I love the idea of teaching about morals whilst learning to read. So, can anyone enlighten or guide me as to how to choose which method and what particular program to use. I have other younger children so I really want something open and go but something that won't bore him to tears. It needs to have fluency practice as he struggles with this. He actually seems to retain much more when it comes to sight words rather than words he has to sound out. With the majority of words he reads he's still sounding each letter out and then blending the whole word in his head, I hear him whisper each letter to himself before 'reading' the word a loud. Thoughts, suggestions? Sorry to keep bugging you all. Blessings xxx

Sorry typo. '*which* sound...' Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does your little one ever get confused between with sound they should be using eg hard c or soft c (as in city) how do they work out which to use when? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really like the look of AAR but like so many programmes it's just so expensive and I'm worried I won't be able to do all the busy work stuff as I've got 2 other young children. But I am really tempted! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi, my son is 6 years old and I feel he's ready to start phonics/beginning reading. He can read CVC words and words with beginning and end blends. We've used OPGTR on and off whenever he's felt like it but it's pretty boring for my son. As well as movement he needs something visual. I think he'd love logic of English with all the colours and dragons and the handwriting portions look good. I also like the look of AAR and love the sound of RLTL and WRTR. I'm a bit scared of WRTR and I don't think RLTL will keep his attention. And whilst the idea behind all these programmes really appeals to my need to know why brain, I'm not sure knowing all of the phonograms is absolutely necessary and I don't want to run the risk of boring him or over complicating things. What phonics programmes would you recommend. TIA XXXX Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I found this website today and it's been really helpful. http://www.phonics-literacy.com/how-to-teach-phonics.html Thought others might like it too, it has some great games on, especially good for learners who need to move like my son! Xx

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. You're all right, I think he has a bad association with the book so I'll just prepare before hand. When teaching beginning 'CV' blends like 'ca, si, sa', is it best to then avoid teaching word families, for instance those with end sounds such as 'at, ed, in' ?

Great ideas Kam - especially the stuffed toy one. Thank you everyone, I knew I could count on you all. I think we'll continue to try with OPGTR incorporating all of your ideas and see how we get on. I'm going to start thigh, by getting him to memorise the phonograms and 'sa, si....' letter blends, I think this will help a lot. Xxx

This is definitely something I've considered terrikuns so we haven't touched the book for about 4 months - he's 5.5yrs. Xx

Oh wow! I love the idea of flash card hop and the cup stacking games. I'll definitely use those! Thank you

Phonics pathways looks like something that might visually appeal to him and I like how it teaches 'sa, so...' Etc first. I've looked at RLTL soooo many times and read the sample online but I just don't understand how to teach it once the phonograms have been memorised.

Hi, I really need some ideas of how to make OPGTR more fun. My boy is a very kinaesthetic learner - he needs to move! I've tried the white board and it was better but it just doesn't engage him. I've just purchased some magnetic letter tiles and I'm hoping to use them in the same way they're used in AAR - in an ideal world i'd love to buy AAR but we just cannot afford it. And besides, I really do believe OPGTR is a great programme - I just need ideas to make it work. I'm finding that theres not enough review also. I'm also planning to teach the phonograms like in AAR as I really do think this will benefit him He has an amazing memory but he's slow to work things out sometimes and when he finds something difficult he doesnt want to persist. He's nearly 6 by the way. Thanks in advance

Great ideas, thank you. Yea I've downloaded the sample and writing was a worry for me, but I thought they could dictate it to me. I've also considered not having a curriculum at all for science and just reading lots of books and the odd experiment here and there. What worries me with this is that it may not get done or will be completely uncohesive. Thankfully I've got time to decide 😃 I was even considering reading the sasaffras books at bedtime. We spend ages reading in bed 😄

Oh this is great news! So good to hear this. I've actually decided to go through the book myself to improve my own handwriting!

Hi Meadowlark, from what I can see on the mystery science website, it looks like only some of the programme has been designed and released and a lot of it is for older ages. Also, I'd really like to follow the classical approach and whilst mystery science looks good, I think I personally would only use it to supplement. But, I'm still researching so who knows!

Hi, I will be teaching my son to write when he reaches 1st grade in 2017. I want to go straight for cursive. Has anyone used the above book with a complete newby? X

Thanks so much for all the great recommendations everyone. I had a look at Mystery Science but there only seems to be a few lessons and many are for the older ages. Did I miss a section on their webpage maybe? I was thinking maybe we could get away with reading some Usborne books and finding our own interest led experiments but I fear it just won't get done, so I'm leaning more towards a programme that I have to follow and stick to. I'll have a look at the other suggestions you've all made. Thanks again. Xx

Thanks Monica, I'll look into the book you mention.