Bloggermom Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) I wanted to post this because I have seen some threads where people are asking what is in each level. I also wanted to point out the recommended grade levels so you can decide the best level for your child. Even if you use another phonics program, I have found this to be an amazing and fun supplement to really cement everything. Preschool Get Ready for the Code (Book A) teaches consonants b, f, m, k, r, and t. Get Set for the Code (Book B) teaches consonants p, j, h, s, n, and d. Go for the Code (Book C) teaches consonants c, j, g, w, y, v, z, and q. Kindergarten Explode the Code Book 1 (ETC 1) starts with a consonant pretest to check to see if your child knows the consonants covered in the primers (A,B,C). Then it goes on to cover the short vowels Explode the Code Book 1 1/2 (ETC 1 1/2) provides further practice in the skills learned in Book 1. We use this because I want things cemented in, however some people skill the half books. 1st Grade Explode the Code Book 2 (ETC 2) Initial consonant blends and final consonant blends. Explode the Code Book 2 1/2 (ETC 2 1/2) This also provides further practice on all the skills taught in Book 2. Again, some people skip this if their child is blowing through it. I recommend using it if your child struggles with Book 2 at all. Explode the Code Book 3 (ETC 3) covers one-syllable words ending in a long vowel, including -y; silent-e words; digraphs sh, th, wh, ch, ng, ck; trigraph tch; ee-ea, ai-ay, oa-ow. Explode the Code Book 3 1/2 (ETC 3 1/2) use this for further practice. I find that even if you skip the half books for levels 1 and 2, mastering the silent-e can be a bit more tricky. You may want to consider the half book at this point. 2nd Grade Explode the Code Book 4 (ETC 4) teaches compound words: common endings -ful, -ing, -ist, -ed, -ness; and rules for syllable division between double and different consonants, with open and closed syllables, with syllables ending in -y and -le, dipthong syllables, and three-syllable words. You may need to go through this one a bit more slowly than you did Book 3. This one teaches more difficult concepts which are a big step up in difficulty from the previous book. Explode the Code Book 4 (ETC 4 1/2) If you don't get any other half books, this is the one you should get. Children grasp the rules and concepts better with the review. Explode the Code Book 5 (ETC 5) after getting through Book 4, you should be able to pick up the pace on this one. This level covers word families such as: all-alk, old-olt-oll, ild-ind, qu-, three-letter blends such: thr, shr, scr, str, spr, spl, dipthong -ey, and three sounds of -ed. Explode the Code Book 5 1/2 (ETC 5 1/2) provides more practice on the concepts presented in Book 5. You may or may not need it. 3rd Grade Explode the Code Book 6 (ETC 6) this one will teach your child about vowel plus r words: ar, or, er, ir, ur, wor, war; dipthongs oo, ea, ie, oi-oy, ou-ow, au-aw, and we-ui-ue-ou; igh. Explode the Code Book 6 1/2 (ETC 6 1/2) this is the LAST book in the half series. You wont find it for levels 7 or 8. Therefore, this is your last chance to get that extra review. Make sure your child mastered ETC 6 before you consider skipping this. End of 3rd Grade/Beginning of 4th Grade Explode the Code Book 7 (ETC 7) this one can be done either in 3rd or 4th grade depending on the reading skills of your child. It focuses on soft c and g; silent consonant letters; ear, ei, eigh words; digraph ph. 4th Grade Explode the Code Book 8 (ETC 8) this is the LAST book in the ETC series. It primarily focuses on suffixes and endings. Like I mentioned up above, I have found Explode the Code to be an amazing supplement to our studies. Even if you are using a different program for your main phonics teaching, this one teaches valuable skills in such a fun way. Don't pass it up! Edited February 7, 2012 by Bloggermom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssavings Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks for the breakdown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rieshy Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks for the breakdown. I like ETC as work to keep hands busy when I need to be with someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine1997 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks! This is great.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amirah Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 this is great thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SewingMom2many Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I can't say I agree with the grade level suggestions. Though some children may need that long to complete the series, most won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I might add that if you're using ETC as a supplement, there's no reason to purchase the teacher's guide. It assumes you're using ETC as a primary teaching tool. I just wasted my money on the 1/2 teacher's guide because I kept reading that you should buy it, at least the first time. HOP is our primary reading program right now, which DD likes and does well with. I have no desire to use any other extension/learning activities with her, which is what the teacher's guide provides. It doesn't help you understand or complete the student workbook, which is what I was expecting. I hadn't even seen the guts of a complete ETC book, so I didn't know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hahaha, and here I would disagree from the other end of the spectrum. We plan ETC like this: Kindergarten: A, B, C Grade 1: 1 & 2 Grade 2: 3 & 4 (4 being optional, since it covers topics that could be learned after book 8) Grade 3: 5 & 6 Grade 4: 7 & 8 and no 1/2 books unless reinforcement is necessary. Which just goes to show what a great series it is, as it can be used at the pace that suits each student. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hahaha, and here I would disagree from the other end of the spectrum. No worries, I'm fine with disagreement. :) Still, I can't imagine delaying formal treatment of r-controlled vowels until Grade 3. If I was in charge, r-controlled vowels would follow ETC3, because r-controlled vowels are abundant even in books for emerging readers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lots of boys Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks for this breakdown. We use ETC and my kids like it a lot. I was always wondering what pace we should work through these - this is so helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloggermom Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hahaha, and here I would disagree from the other end of the spectrum. We plan ETC like this: Kindergarten: A, B, C Grade 1: 1 & 2 Grade 2: 3 & 4 (4 being optional, since it covers topics that could be learned after book 8) Grade 3: 5 & 6 Grade 4: 7 & 8 and no 1/2 books unless reinforcement is necessary. Which just goes to show what a great series it is, as it can be used at the pace that suits each student. I was using the suggested grade levels that the publisher provides, they are not *my* chosen grade levels. I agree, it is great that you can start at the first book and just work your way through at your child's pace. It is good to see what "grade levels" they are designed for though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I think it's best to judge "grade level" based on your student. We use ETC for fun/review and could have done it all but the syllabication part of book four last year in K. We covered all the rest in SSRW1 that we used last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welltrainedmami Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 We have done ETC A,B, C and just finished 1 1/2 with my 6 year old. I have read many people say ETC is a supplement and I can see that now. My question is, what program do you use for your foundation? My 6 1/2 year old finished 1 1/2 My 5 1/2 year old finished C. My 5 year old finished C. What do we do now!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 oooh, great list. We are a bit slower on the implementation of ETC but we just found the series and started it in January. My six year olds are working on ETC with no hesitation and can do a full lesson in one day. I appreciate the breakdown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 You guys keep using it all the way up through grade FOUR?:001_huh: Pardon my surprise. I guess I just feel like the rules in them are things I would expect a child to know coming out of 2nd or maybe 3rd grade at the latest unless they were behind on reading. They move kind of slowly in that regard, so we're really using them to reinforce phonics concepts. One of my 2nd graders will finish them all this year - he's on book 7 now. The other is a bit of a slower reader. He's nearly done with book 4, though he's doing it after book 5. I anticipate that he'll finish them by the end of the first half of 3rd grade - and I felt like he was a bit behind on it to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joyfulhomeschooler Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 You guys keep using it all the way up through grade FOUR?:001_huh: Pardon my surprise. I guess I just feel like the rules in them are things I would expect a child to know coming out of 2nd or maybe 3rd grade at the latest unless they were behind on reading. They move kind of slowly in that regard, so we're really using them to reinforce phonics concepts. One of my 2nd graders will finish them all this year - he's on book 7 now. The other is a bit of a slower reader. He's nearly done with book 4, though he's doing it after book 5. I anticipate that he'll finish them by the end of the first half of 3rd grade - and I felt like he was a bit behind on it to be honest. I think that's why so many people love them, because it is totally dependent on the child using them as to how fast you go. My son finished 8 in 2nd grade although on some days it was a little trying for him. My daughter 1st grade this year is finishing 3 right now and will be starting 4 in a week. I think reading is a little bit harder for her than her brother. See how they really work for each child at their own pace :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeganW Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 This is very helpful - thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingmama Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 You guys keep using it all the way up through grade FOUR?:001_huh: I guess it depends on how fast a child is willing to work through them. My DD is still plugging away on Book 1 even though she knows all the work easily. She hates doing ETC so all I can get out of her is a page a day which makes for slow going. I could forsee us still doing this in 4th grade unless she changes her mind and decides to pick up the pace. (fingers crossed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 You guys keep using it all the way up through grade FOUR?:001_huh: Pardon my surprise. I guess I just feel like the rules in them are things I would expect a child to know coming out of 2nd or maybe 3rd grade at the latest unless they were behind on reading. They move kind of slowly in that regard, so we're really using them to reinforce phonics concepts. One of my 2nd graders will finish them all this year - he's on book 7 now. The other is a bit of a slower reader. He's nearly done with book 4, though he's doing it after book 5. I anticipate that he'll finish them by the end of the first half of 3rd grade - and I felt like he was a bit behind on it to be honest. :iagree: We'll finish the series this year (all the single numbered books) and then over the summer I'll have DS review doing the 1/2 books just to be sure there are no gaps (we'll do 3 1/2 to 6 1/2, then 7 and 8 again if needed). I can't imagine extending the series into fourth grade unless their is an issue with reading level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Which is why I post to these threads: the myopia that leads to the 'all kids are accelerated' theory can be intimidating to those lurking with the rest of you folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeganW Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Which is why I post to these threads: the myopia that leads to the 'all kids are accelerated' theory can be intimidating to those lurking with the rest of you folks. I for one really appreciate it! My kids are definitely not accelerated! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto3boys Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Thanks for this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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