Phonics Pathways + ETC

[Mama2Three]

Hi there,

 

I am using Phonics Pathways and ETC for my DC. It's working pretty well -- I think that PP is helping with eye tracking and I like the workbook style of ETC. And DC are enjoying it. But for DS I feel like he's at the point where the two curriculum don't align (working on ending blends in PP and beginning blends in ETC book 2). I'm not sure whether to follow one then try to do similar exercises in the other, or just keep working on these separate tracks figuring that they'll converge at some point. And if one was the "main" curriculum, which one would you suggest?

 

DS is doing just OK with reading, picking things up rather slowly, so that's why I'm reassessing.

 

TIA!

[Bula Mama]

I've used them both together and think it would be fine to continue with both unless you find that it's overwhelming of confusing your ds. My dc would have been bored with just PP alone so ETC kind of broke things up a bit. I think PP overall is a more inclusive program, however, so have felt like it's good to keep on with it. So, I would think especially if your ds is moving slowly (been there with one of my dc!) that it would be a good fit to continue with him as long as you didn't move too quickly. There were times for that one particular dc where I slowed things down to reading 1/2 a PP page if there was a lot of writing on it, a page or two in ETC, plus having them read a bit in a reader each day. Worked quite well actually!

 

The only other thing I've added are readers. We've really enjoyed both Pathway readers and readers from Sonlight. The Pathway readers were particular good for the dc who struggled since they built skills very intentionally. HTH!

[LanaTron]

I had these same concerns, but it is working itself out. If ds meets a concept in ETC that he has already finished in PP, or vice versa, it is a good chance to review from a slightly different angle.

 

I tried to make one the "primary" book, with the other as a supplement, but it really hasn't mattered. At this point (2/3 through PP and in ETC 4), I consider PP to be phonics instruction, and ETC to be spelling instruction, so neither takes presidence.

 

And, like Bula Mama, we use the Pathway Readers, too, but after Bob Books.

[Mama2Three]

Thanks for the information! I think that we will keep plugging along as we have been. We have been reading the Bob books and we just got some Pathway readers this weekend, so sounds like we are on track with what you both are suggesting. But it's nice to get the reassurance! Thanks again! :001_smile:

[linders]

My DS7 did the PP/ETC combo. Yes, there were points where they diverged on topics, and I was ready to do some re-aligning, but in the end the mismatch never bothered him. He even had fun noticing when we would get to a topic in one that had been covered in the other: "Hey, I already know this!"

 

Enjoy!

 

P.S. DS finished PP mid-last summer and just finished ETC8. He can read virtually anything and so far has excellent spelling skills, so this combo was certainly effective!