Beginning reading for child who knows sounds

[Guest rondajean]

I'm looking for suggestions on a reading program for my 4.5 year old who really wants to read. He knows letter sounds, with the exception of diphthongs and letters that have hard and soft sounds. Many of the reading programs I've researched teach letter sounds first, and he would never sit though those lessons. Should I just skip those lessons, or is there a good program for kids who already know letter sounds, and now need help putting them together? He would be most drawn to a program that uses games or the computer.

[Lovedtodeath]

McRuffy teaches sounds but it also has them sounding out words right away. And it has games! You could also look into Explode the Code Online.

[rockermom]

Have you tried Starfall.com? Their "Learn to Read" section sounds like a perfect place to start. I'd add something more formal/meaty as well (you'll get many great suggestions from others here), but from what you've said, it sounds like he'd enjoy it.

[ElizabethB]

I would just skip those sections--most good programs have those sections.

 

Make sure you choose a program that does not teach too many sight words, here's why and how to teach all but 5 of the most commonly taught 220 sight words phonetically:

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/sightwords.html

 

I have a fun game that is a good supplement to any phonics program:

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Phonics/concentrationgam.html

 

And here are my general tips for teaching a young child to read:

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/newstudents.html

 

Also, with a child that young, I would keep it short, generally 10 minutes a day, and do the work from a white board. It holds their attention better, emphasizes the left to right direction of sounding out words, and you can make the letters bigger so they do not have to strain their eyes. I also like to use all uppercase for a student that young--the letters are easier to write neatly and discriminate and it also helps prevent B/D confusions if you learn uppercase B and D first.

Edited August 4, 2009 by ElizabethB

[~Kirsten~]

I started my daughter with OPGTR when she was about the same age as your son, and we just skipped the first 26 or so lessons that covered letter sounds. I made sure to review vowel sounds briefly, but that was all. We're now almost finished with the book, and I'm absolutely thrilled with her reading. More importantly, SHE'S thrilled! :001_smile: Some days we skipped it altogether; some days she does multiple lessons in one sitting. I really like how thorough the program is while still remaining incrementally challenging. Plus, lessons are short!

 

Best wishes finding a program that you and your son like! There are definitely many great options out there.

[aly9712]

second the recommendation for the Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading. Just skip ahead past the initial letter sounds and you'll be good to go.

[Sue G in PA]

 

http://www.homeschoolbuyerscoop.com has a group buy for Explode the Code online for $30. You get a full year (well, almost) subscription and it is based on the ETC books 1-8. Check it out. It looks really great. Combine it with reading to and with your child and it just might fit the bill!

[kckamy]

I used Hooked on Phonics with all three of my children and highly recommend the program. It has been one of the best investments that I have ever made.

 

HOP has changed some over the years but I found the set I used on Amazon Marketplace http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Phonics-Learn-K-2nd-Deluxe/dp/193102040X/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247232946&sr=8-10.

 

What I used is probably pretty close to the K-2 set that they sell now.

 

With any program you use, you can skip the lessons that go over letter sounds. If I remember correctly, with HOP you learn the sounds before you start any of the lessons.

 

Amy

[jjcmehl]

Though you probably don't need more recommendations. You could also go with Alphaphonics and skip the initial few pages going over sounds. A very inexpensive ($29), nonconsumable, all-in-one phonics program that works!

[Heather in OK]

I've always just used flash cards.

 

i.e.

a, an, at, am,

i, in, it,

o, on

 

Then we build from there:

ban, can, fan, man,

bin, fin, win

 

Once they know basic sight words like those we move on to phonics rules.

 

I also look for library books that have those simple sight words (i.e. Hop on Pop).

[Caroline4kids]

I would just skip those sections--most good programs have those sections.

 

Make sure you choose a program that does not teach too many sight words, here's why and how to teach all but 5 of the most commonly taught 220 sight words phonetically:

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/sightwords.html

 

I have a fun game that is a good supplement to any phonics program:

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Phonics/concentrationgam.html

 

And here are my general tips for teaching a young child to read:

 

http://www.thephonicspage.org/On%20Reading/newstudents.html

 

Also, with a child that young, I would keep it short, generally 10 minutes a day, and do the work from a white board. It holds their attention better, emphasizes the left to right direction of sounding out words, and you can make the letters bigger so they do not have to strain their eyes. I also like to use all uppercase for a student that young--the letters are easier to write neatly and discriminate and it also helps prevent B/D confusions if you learn uppercase B and D first.

 

 

:iagree:Just wanted to add another plug for ElizabethB's site! Love it.:)

[Narrow Gate Academy]

Phonics Pathways moves right into blending after it covers the vowel sounds. When it introduces s, you sound out the blends sa, se, si, so, and su. After going through the consonants in this manner, it continues with 3 letter words. HTH

[Ottakee]

The I See Sam books are perfect for this age/stage. http://www.3rsplus.com They start out with 5 sounds blended into 3 words and build from there. No workbooks, drills, etc., just reading of cute little books.

 

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