What reading programs do you like for first grade?

[momsuz123]

Just curious, we started using AAR1 for a reading program for our 6 y/o. It is going really well. What other reading programs have you all used that you enjoyed? Is Explode the Code more of a reading program or phonics or both? We are also using AAS, and really enjoy that.

Thanks.

[mom31257]

Another fan of BJU here! I know many do not like reading programs designed for schools, but BJU has been a huge success with my ds. It is always one of the first things he wants to do in his school work.

 

I have my 1st grade set loaned out to a friend (I own 1st -5th grades), but from what I remember it was primarily reading skills for comprehension, not phonics. I believe most of the phonics work in their 1st grade is in a separate book. There is phonics review and working with words in 2nd grade and up.

 

The readers include stories, historical fiction, poetry, non-fiction selections, and short plays (my son LOVES these). The worktext pages include comprehension activities (main idea, sequencing, etc.), writing, and phonics review in 2nd grade and up.

 

The TE includes discussion questions for each page of the student book, and even labels the questions as to the type (literal, appreciative, critical, interpretive). There are vocabulary words to learn with each story and fun ideas to introduce stories as well as follow-up art activities, writing projects, game ideas, etc.

 

Ds used A Beka K4 for his introduction to phonics when he was 4 and Horizons K phonics during K and 1st. It is a program that is extensive and moves quickly to do it in a year. It's good, too. I've used BJU reading since then.

 

Ds is 8 and tested at a 6th grade reading level last year at the end of his 2nd grade year. He read The Magician's Nephew this year on his own and The Hobbit with dh, but read quite a bit of it out loud to dh. I definitely don't think a reading program has hurt him in anyway.

[JessieC]

We use FIAR and ETC. I was thinking that I wanted something more, like the anthologies I remembered from elementary school. On Amazon I found these from Houghton Mifflin and bought a few used ones quite cheap! There are several different levels for each grade. They use real literature as well as nonfiction--we are in the second grade ones now, and one of the first stories is "Officer Buckle and Gloria," for example.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618225692/ref=oh_o00_s00_i01_details

[boscopup]

I don't use a reading program for comprehension. I just get real books and use narrations to check comprehension.

 

For phonics/learning-to-read, I love Webster's Speller and I See Sam readers.

[momsuz123]

I don't use a reading program for comprehension. I just get real books and use narrations to check comprehension.

 

For phonics/learning-to-read, I love Webster's Speller and I See Sam readers.

 

Yes, thanks, I guess I mean more the learning to read program. I will look into Webster's Speller and I See Sam.:001_smile:

[Jane Elliot]

Yes, thanks, I guess I mean more the learning to read program. I will look into Webster's Speller and I See Sam.:001_smile:

 

 

I love OPGTR for teaching reading.

[boscopup]

Yes, thanks, I guess I mean more the learning to read program. I will look into Webster's Speller and I See Sam.:001_smile:

 

Links for ya:

 

Webster's Speller (there are other versions also)

Elizabeth's K lessons for Webster's (teaches you how to use the thing!)

First 52 I See Sam books free

 

If your child is beyond book 52, you can purchase the next set from here. You'd want sets 3 and up. I have not purchased any as of yet. We'll see if I need them or not. It will be a while before we finish the first 52, I think. :)

[curlygirlzx2]

We used OPGTR and ETC very successfully.

[siloam]

Just curious, we started using AAR1 for a reading program for our 6 y/o. It is going really well. What other reading programs have you all used that you enjoyed? Is Explode the Code more of a reading program or phonics or both? We are also using AAS, and really enjoy that.

Thanks.

I use AAS, Sonlight LA which schedules the ETC books and I See Sam for fluency practice.

 

Once you have covered EE in AAS you should be able to use the I See Sam books, regardless of what else you decide to use.

 

Heather

[jennynd]

I didn't use anything for my older.

for my younger, I am using ETC and HOP. I really really want AAS but they are just too expensive.

[nansk]

We didnt use a reading program. My dd learnt to read with Blend Phonics and then she was reading real books.

 

You can check out the free vintage graded readers online. Search for 'Treadwell Primer and Readers' and 'Elson Primer and Readers' on Google Books.

[Ellie]

ETC is phonics. Armed with what they learn in ETC, children read books, either vocabulary-controlled basal readers (e.g., Pathway, BJUP/ABeka, McGuffy) or trade books (books you'd find in the library or a book store).

 

Your dc may or may not need a "reading program." Phonics instruction (ETC, AlphaPhonics, PhonicsPathways, Spalding and its spin-offs, etc.) may be enough. I never used a program with my dc; once they knew how to read, I just let them read. :-)

[Kathleen in LV]

We're currently using OPGTR for my ds(5), and I really like it.

 

For those of you who finished it successfully, have you done any additional reading programs, or just stuck with regular books?

[go_go_gadget]

The only phonics program we've used is OPGTR, supplemented with Modern Curriculum Press' Phonics Practice Readers. We also use AAS for spelling, several "levels behind" reading ability.

[gevs4him]

We use and love Rod and Staff Reading. We also love Reading Detective by the Critical Thinking Co,

[Guest]

Memoria Press Grade level plans and readers. LOVE IT!

[Stellalarella]

I used Phonics Pathways and BOB books to teach dd8, ds6 and now starting with ds5. We just began using AAS about 6 weeks ago and that has strengthened skills for dd8.