sonlight LA K or not?

[mama4AU]

I am planning on using (first time user) Sonlight's LA for my (will be in fall) 4th grader-he will use LA2int and my soon to be 2nd grader LA-1. My question is do I really need to get for my soon to be in the fall Kindergarten child, a LA K from Sonlight or could I just use explode the code to get all the benefits I should from a LA program for a Kindergarten student? Could someone help me?:confused:

Thanks!!!

[frankcassiesmom]

Is the K one the one where they learn to actually READ, learning their letters, putting 3-4 letter words together, etc.? If it is, it's the only Sonlight LA I actually really like. I will use it to teach all of my kids to read.

[mama4AU]

OH that is a good question, I am not sure right off. Thank you for replying. I hope that someone else will write in and let me know if that is indeed the LA K (the one that helps you learn to read). I am going to go check it also online to see if that is the case. Thanks!!!

[mama4AU]

okay I looked at SL and that 3-letter words learning to read is the LA 1 so the LA K is just sounds etc..... and it is around 60.00 and then the little readers that doesn't look like the list for the LA1 LA2 etc...readers, are about 25.00 so I don't really want spend a lot of money on that when it really may not be necessary you know? But now I am wondering if my soon to be second grader should be doing the LA1 and not LA2 although I heard just because they can read at a certain level doesn't mean that they know how to write, grammar etc... at the same level. My soon to be 2nd grader in the fall, already knows the 3 letter words but really needs to work on the silent e, etc.... so I hope that the LA1 covers that kind of thing. Thanks again for you opinion.

[Peaceful Isle]

Hello there! Actually, I have Sonlight's LA 1 and 2. I think the LA 1 would be a good choice for your soon to be 2nd grader. If you are wanting help in the phonics area, you are not going to get much in the sonlight LA. That is why they recommend you use explode the code. The Sonlight LA has copy work, and teaches more grammar. Examples: Put a or an in front of words, alliteration, alphabetical order etc.. The core 1 readers, IMO, are really good as well.

 

Here is another idea. You could always get readers for him, at the library or used online or where ever you chose, and use the explode the code 1-3 books along with Susan Bauer's First Language Lessons. Just some thoughts. Hope they help. :)

[mama4AU]

I am pm'ing you right now.

[StartingOver]

I bought Sonlight LA K for my son when we purchased Core P 4/5. It was learning letters and sounds, beginning reader short vowel words, CVC. It was really basic for me, and extremely slow paced. He already knew his letters and sounds. He was no where near the writing level they wanted, LA K has copy work. Now you could make it easier or harder, but I have a none writing reader. None of my sons, and I have 3, would have been ready for LA K as far as writing goes. So for me it just won't work.

Edited April 30, 2010 by alatexan68

[mama4AU]

thanks guys! I am still thinking, but I am leaning more towards NOT getting our third child (one about to enter K in the fall) LA K. Now I am trying to think through what I will use for him instead and what I maybe need to do then as far as phonics for the other two (will be 2nd grader and 4th grader in the fall). If sonlight's LA is really good for grammar and the explode the code would be all I need to add then I might do that instead for the 2nd and 4th grader to be, but I need to look to see where I need to begin on the 2nd grader and 4th grader for the explode the code for that time. hmmmmm, still thinking:001_huh:

[mama4AU]

I did have someone just suggest to me to use Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons and use explode the code too if I thought I needed it. This would teach my child to be able to read to the point of

the beginning of 2nd grade level by the time I finished the book. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

[StartingOver]

I did have someone just suggest to me to use Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons and use explode the code too if I thought I needed it. This would teach my child to be able to read to the point of

the beginning of 2nd grade level by the time I finished the book. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

 

I prefer OPGTR by far over 100 ez lessons. There are many who use it with ETC ( I tried, but my son just isn't workbookish. )

[mama4AU]

What is OPTGR and ETC (?) Thanks!

[mama4AU]

I don't know if that posted or not, but what is OPTGR? thanks! and the difference in 100ez lesson and the OPTGR?

[joyfulhomeschooler]

I have used LA K with two kids now. My four year old is just finishing up. That being said though I must say that others are right on the writing portion. With both my children (both were 4 at the time of using it) we ended up just doing get ready, set, go for the code books along with the sonlight K readers. I did use the schedule to see what activities sounded good and when to read which books but it could be used with out this. Every week we would make a letter sheet with the new letter/Sound and then practice that letter in the ETC books (usually 2-3 pgs a day in these) and then read the numbered reader the whole week... over and over to gain confidence. Both my children used this, my son went from sonlight LA K straight to somewhere in the middle of OPGTTR and my daughter will start with that soon. I really don't think you need the whole setup.... most likely just the ETC books, and readers. If you have any more questions about how to set up the scheduling let me know. I am always for saving fellow homeschoolers some money.

Micah

[StartingOver]

I haven't seen 100 EZ lessons for many years. I have Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading now. It is from the author of The Well Trained Mind. It is the most complete phonics I have seen in 20 + years of teaching.

 

Neither of these programs is fun. My son never sees OPGTR, I write lessons on the white board, chalk board, use magnets, chalk on the porch, etc. You can use any basic readers with it. I have used many different books. It is very simple, to the point, and scripted for the parent. A step by step approach to reading. SBW believes ( from her book ) that most 4-5 year olds can learn to read, she wrote the curriculum with this approach in mind.

 

It is well priced. There are magnets and a board you can get from Peacehillpress.com, which is the site for all her books. But I don't believe they are necessary.

 

As with anything though, go take a look at it. Don't take my word for it, I am just one person. ;-)

 

Oh I remember what it was like being new to homeschooling, wanting the perfect thing. Research, research, research !! ;-)

 

OPG & OPGTR are both Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading.

ETC - Explode the code a workbook style phonics

[joyfulhomeschooler]

I completely agree with the previous review on OPGTR... in my opinion it is the best. It is ALL boring though... :) I remember doing a lesson with my son where he got to use a fishing pole made from a ruler and magnet to fish for words... he really enjoys this book. I do admit though that the first lessons we did ( I think we started about a third of the way through the book) he didn't like. He used to refer to it as the boring book ;-) But we kept on and now at the end of 1st grade he is reading at a third grade level.

[mama4AU]

I am still trying to figure out how to post correctly, haha! Okay I feel stupid ETC-explode the code, I didn't know what the ETC stood far and here I am wanting to use it! Got it now though, all these abbreviations! This sounds great. I will look into Susan Bauer's books (someone suggested to me her book First Lessons in Language also and I looked on the inside of the book online and it really looked great! so maybe for 1st or 2nd grade on that one?) Thanks again! Hope I can find this post this time and find the others that people have posted too! all of you have been helpful and especially in saving me money and guiding me by letting me know what your experiences have been. Thank you!