What if we ditch OPGTR and just read?

[jkl]

ds is 6. He is reading at I guess a second grade level (Nate the Greats are easy for him: the first few Magic Tree House books are just right) We finished a (terrible) phonics program about 9 months ago, but although he was/is progressing in his reading,I didn't feel like he had a firm grasp of phonics. So, I picked up OpGTR and we've been doing lessons to fill in any holes. Two problems: 1. He listens while I read the rule then gets the practice parts fine. But then 10 minutes later, he's forgotten. 2. It's starting to feel sort of ridiculous to me...." ok, sometimes ou says uh and sometimes it says oo and sometimes it says ow...." It all seems so random! My gut is telling me to ditch the lessons and use that time for him to read to me (we have limited time cause we have to squeeze it in between a loud demanding 3 yr old and a very loud short-napping almost-toddler). Thoughts???

[stripe]

You might want to take a look at Thogmartin's Teach a Child To Read with Children's Books. Combining Story Reading, Phonics, and Writing To Promote Reading Success. You can download it entirely, free from ERIC.

 

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/detail?accno=ED437625

[Wheres Toto]

You might want to take a look at Thogmartin's Teach a Child To Read with Children's Books. Combining Story Reading, Phonics, and Writing To Promote Reading Success. You can download it entirely, free from ERIC.

 

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/detail?accno=ED437625

 

Thank you for posting this. I've never seen it before but it looks like the perfect approach for my youngest.

[Tanikit]

I would probably drop the phonics and bring it up when he gets stuck in his reading. My DD is also getting to the parts of OPGTR where the letter combinations make multiple sounds. She is also reading at a similar level to your son and so is reading words she has yet to cover in the phonics - many of them she works out by herself, but many of them I have had to simply teach the phonics rule associated with the word she is sticking on. I then try to keep pointing out that rule in her reading when it comes up for a short while til it seems to stick. I have also decided that the rules can be taught in more detail when she gets to spelling the words - right now I would rather she enjoys the reading.

[jkl]

You might want to take a look at Thogmartin's Teach a Child To Read with Children's Books. Combining Story Reading, Phonics, and Writing To Promote Reading Success. You can download it entirely, free from ERIC.

 

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/detail?accno=ED437625

 

 

Actually, I already have this, and we do this type of reading/journaling twice a week (OPGTR the other 2 days). I do like it, though ds hates the writing part. Guess I just felt it wasn't "enough".... Wish I'd know I could've downloaded it free, though....:)

[jkl]

right now I would rather she enjoys the reading.

YES!!!

[stripe]

I liked Reading Reflex. The approach is basically spelling with little squares of paper as a way to learn reading. It is pretty cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Reflex-Foolproof-Phono-Graphix-Teaching/dp/0684853671

I found it very helpful and fast, but I think anything with games might provide a lot of repetition. For example, Mona McGee has tons of games.

 

http://www.catphonics.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/contents.htm

http://www.phonics4free.org/home

[jkl]

Thanks! I'll check these out. Maybe I will just go back to doing the method in Thogmartin's book and put OPG on the shelf for awhile...

[blondeviolin]

If it's not being retained, I'd drop it in favor of more reading time. You can always go back and hit the phonics again with a phonics-based spelling program. (We are using AAS for this and it's working rather nicely.)

[kristinannie]

This is what we are doing. We use ETC workbooks as review (he is reading at a book 4 or 5 level), but is still working through Book 2. I really have to suggest The Struggling Reader. Don't be fooled by the name. :D It teaches phonics and/or sight words through game play and comes with assessments created by a reading specialist to find any holes in their reading. That way, you can teach those concepts. I feel really confident not using a "program" since I can detect holes in his learning. The games are also a lot of fun and really work. We mostly read books and when we come upon a new phonics rule, we will play around with magnetic tiles and build other words in the family, etc. I plan to cover some phonics rules in spelling as well. Best of luck!