ummof3 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Hello :) I'm thinking of my son's curriculum choices. He will be 6 in May (leaving school in July). His reading is coming on quite well but I want to find an easy phonics programme (phonics pathways?) to make sure he has learnt phonics properly. I have a feeling dd who will be 8 soon might need some help too - I don't know. She's an excellent reader but I want to make sure she actually knows her phonics. I have flicked through my friend's FLL and think he might not be ready for it, I don't know. I want a good spelling programme as he has weekly tests at school anyway and enjoys it - my friend is going to use All about spelling. With regards to grammar - I'm thinking of delaying grammar till next year. I want him to concentrate on phonics and spelling and read alouds for now. can anyone suggest a good programme. I've been recommended Rod & Staff which looks interesting. thanks all in advance :) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pata Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 You could try using Explode the Code as phonics review and spelling practice. We use the last page of a lesson as our Friday spelling test. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ummof3 Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 Thanks - that's available here in the UK, i'll take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 There's a UK program called Dancing Bears that teaches phonics. I'm not sure where you could buy it, but I'm sure you could find it locally. It would have the advantage of using British spelling rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ummof3 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks will take a look x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Phonics Pathways is good. I can't recommend R&S's first grade BNRS materials because of the strong sight-reading element. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 If he is ready to copy sentences, then I would suggest Writing With Ease workbook 1 instead of FLL. I like that DD gets practice listening to rich read alouds and narrating by answering the questions. You already have phonics suggestions, so I will leave you with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetoschool Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 We use Jolly Phonics - a British program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ummof3 Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 Thanks. It occured to me that he has been doing phonics for the last two years - Jolly Phonics and some other programme they do at school. They do a mixture of phonics and sight word recognition. His writing is coming along well so Im going to go for WWE. Now it's just a question of working out which phonics programme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieF Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Why not something easy to get hold of like ETC. That is cheap and you will see where he is at quite quickly. I also like their other products like Right into reading which contains phonics and reading comprehension and writing. Again not expensive and easy to get over here. I am just starting All About Spelling too. Stephanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanae Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I'm using Phonics Pathways with two of my children. My 5yr old to learn phonics for the first time and with my almost 10yr old to learn the skills he never got in the public school system. Both my children really like the program, as do I. It's easy and straight forward with little prep time. The only REAL prep time for me has been scanning some of the "games" and cutting them out. The kids love being able to play games to learn the skills and it keeps them on track with wanting to move forward. You can buy a new book online for around $20 or I see them used all the time for around $15. For spelling I have a friend who uses Wordly Wise which is rather inexpensive as well. I see them on ebay all the time. It has a list of words to learn, teaches the definitions, uses the words in fill-in-the-blank sentences, has crossword puzzles to fill in, ect... I haven't started working with a spelling program yet but I know her son loves his Wordly Wise or as he calls it the Wiggly program. He thinks it's fun to do his spelling work and at the end of the week you take a test to test proficiency. With ANY spelling program check out www.spellingcity.com. It's a free online program where you put in your spelling words into a list. Then the child has the option to play games to learn the words, play "teach me", or take the spelling test online complete with a key to hit for "sentences" to put the words into context. Regardless of what program you use I think it's worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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