mo2 Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 We have been using Phonics Pathways with my dd 6. (Anyone tired of my questions yet??) She is really, really struggling with this. But I noticed something yesterday. She doesn't get the way the book teaches it. It teaches beginning blends in a consonant-vowel fashion (ca, then cat). She seems to understand better when we teach vowel-consonant (at, then cat). Has anyone else noticed that this can make a big difference? She's my first, so this is new for both of us. I'm thinking of switching programs now, to one that teaches vowel-consonant blends first. The first program I ran across was Alpha Phonics. Does anyone have experience with this or can recommend a different program that teaches in this fashion? Thanks for being so patient with me, everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I am no phonics/reading specialist and I have to say that Phonics Pathways is working for us. But just wanted to say that I think those initial pages on blending two sounds are the hardest...and most important...in the book. My sample size is only two, but once my kids could do that blending, the rest of the learning to read process has gone smoothly. And I'm not saying they love PP--it is hard brain work! But my 7 yo PP graduate reads anything she wants beautifully and my 5 yo has come through those difficult pages and is starting to take off. I listen to other kids read in my Sunday School class and often hear very choppy blending--sounding out every letter. My kids don't do that and I wonder if the difference is learning that blending with two letters early in Phonics Pathways. I don't know. It's just something I've wondered about. But like I said, I'm no expert and many people find they have more success with different types of programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie in Oh Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 PP did not work for us. it just didn't click with my oldest. We switched (to Saxon) and it worked much beter for him and we never tried PP with the rest. We just stuck with Saxon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneRoomHomeSchool Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I would definitely give Alpha Phonics a try, for the exact difference in teaching that you have noticed between the two books. Alpha Phonics is a fine choice for teaching in word families. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aletheia Academy Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 but I will admit that we are going very slowly. It *is* hard brain work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Technically it is probably b/c of brain maturity. Beginning sounds and final sounds are actually 2 different indicators of brain maturity for reading readiness. Being able to identify initial sounds actually occurs much earlier than final sound identification ability. Providing of the final sound is making that connection for her and her brain is already mature enough to process the beginning sound, whereas she isn't quite at the point where her brain is able to process final sounds independently. Now....you are probably not going to like this part of my answer.....you can change approaches if it will make you feel better. But the reality is if you just wait a couple of months she will probably be ready to handle the approach you are using and her reading level will probably end up being the same. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A home for their hearts Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Technically it is probably b/c of brain maturity. Beginning sounds and final sounds are actually 2 different indicators of brain maturity for reading readiness. Being able to identify initial sounds actually occurs much earlier than final sound identification ability. Providing of the final sound is making that connection for her and her brain is already mature enough to process the beginning sound, whereas she isn't quite at the point where her brain is able to process final sounds independently. Now....you are probably not going to like this part of my answer.....you can change approaches if it will make you feel better. But the reality is if you just wait a couple of months she will probably be ready to handle the approach you are using and her reading level will probably end up being the same. ;) :iagree: Maybe you should back off for a couple of months? I did this with my ds7, not because I meant to but because I had a baby. He has been much more receptive to his phonics lessons now than he was in the fall. We are using OPGTR. It does teach vowel-consonant. I tried PP for a few days and didn't like it. I know there have been a lot of people on this board who has absolutely loved it though. I have a hate love relationship with OPGTR but it's all we have and it seems to be working with my ds. I'd say wait a month or two try again and then decide if you want to switch programs. That's just my 2 cents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy+2 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Personally, I prefer phonics families compared to ladders. Families being at, cat, bat, sat, etc... Ladders being ca, ba, fa, etc...-to me with ladders it starts to get VERY confusing because the child wants to start his word with the short vowel sound that has been drilled and drilled -which is not the case when you get on to the silent 'e' and more compound words. I used Alphaphonics(word families) with my son-in K-after NOT liking the way A Beka (word ladders) was working for us. He 'got it' immediately and was reading Henry and Mudge at the end of K. (I also used ETC as a go along with the Alphaphonics.) It really worked for us! Just my opinion!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novafan Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 I have become a HUGE fan of the Primary Phonics books from EPS. These little books and their accompanying workbooks instill so much confidence in my young reader (age 5). The different phonetic sounds are introduced through each story and this method really captivates and sticks with my son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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