The ongoing saga with ds's reading

LisaTX · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:54 pm

Thank you, Anna. Did you use the phonics lessons in the back of the book or did you use another program? I'm just curious.

Anna1111 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:14 pm **Posts:** 8115

I used the book he recommends "Reading with Phonics" by Hay & Wingo. It is out of print, but I got one on Amazon for $22. I later found out that at least some Teacher's Editions include the Student text, and are often much cheaper (I saw one for 1Cent!)

His lessons in the back of the book would also work - they're just all crammed together with no pictures & a little overwhelming for a beginner.

But, even with the Hay Wingo text, I wrote sets of the words in large letters on a dry-erase easel instead of reading them from the book- they were less overwhelming that way.

I have every reason to believe that the lessons in the back of the book would work as well as what I used or the lessons below - I really liked having the Hay Wingo book - I suppose just because I liked the feeling of doing a page a day & having charming little pictures - but I don't think it was a necessity.

I think if budget is an issue, this would also work well (it's one of Briva's favorites) (but, it also has no pics)
http://www.donpotter.net/education_page ... onics.html

LisaTX · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:05 pm

Well, I actually have a phonics book called Phonics Pathways, that I used a little with dd, but then switched to "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons", which is also phonics, but now I don't think it's enough. I can't remember exactly why I put Phonics Pathways away, but I just dug it out again after reading this book and it seems pretty good. It's not in exactly the same order as in the Johnny book, but I could still use it and just follow the order that he outlines. I wasn't sure how important the order was, but in the book he does say to do the exercises in order or it will defeat the purpose.

Anna1111 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:14 pm **Posts:** 8115

I agree that 100 easy lessons just isn't enough. I checked it out of the library before I bought the Hay-Wingo book, and it just didn't do it for me (no disrespect to those who love it). And, I didn't like the strange writing style that was required.

I don't know Phonics Pathways, but if it lines up pretty well with Flesch, I see no reason not to give it a try! (I always read the one-two-and-three star reviews on Amazon to find out the dirt on any book - you could make sure that none of the criticism is anything that really resonates with you.

I think part of the problem with phonics instruction is that it has been around a long time & is essentially free. If someone wants to make a profit, they try to invent something "new" even if it doesn't work! :roll:

So, I believe there are LOTS of good (and many free) Solid, intensive phonics-first programs out there.

The more pricey they get, the more I suspect them. If they take 4 years at $500. a year - I don't trust them at all. For instance, the famous "Hooked on Phonics" doesn't appeal to me at all. 4 years?! And catchy video instruction?!

I'm very much looking forward to hearing how this journey with Christian goes : )

Anna1111 · **Joined:** Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:14 pm **Posts:** 8115

I just found this online Amazon review by Don Potter himself (of Briva fame : )

It seems that he highly recommends your book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Phonics Pathways Review, July 15, 2011

By

Don (Odessa, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phonics Pathways: Clear Steps to Easy Reading and Perfect Spelling (Paperback)
I just finished the delightful task of carefully examining every page in the new 10th edition of Phonics Pathways Mrs. Hisks send me to review. In my estimation, the best just got better. I don't know how Mrs. Hisks does it. Everything is highly refined. The addition of the so called nonsense words to test the students true phonics skills is an excellent idea. They will show whether or not the students are learning to read accurately "from the sounds" rather just than "guessing from the meaning." I love the addition of pictures for all the sounds. The information on polysyllables is very well done and most welcome. Mrs. Hiskes eye for developing fluency is everywhere evident.

I should mentioned that I have taught Phonics Pathways (editions 7, 8, & 9) since 2002, when I used it to teach a fourth grade boy who no one had been able to teach to read. I have used it with many similar cases since with equal success. There is no more complete or powerful phonics reading program available anywhere at any price.

Parents and teachers who purchase Phonics Pathways will also want to get a copy of the accompany book, Phonics Pathways Boosters! It is a welcome addition to her phonics materials - in a most convenient tear-out book format. The Sound-Spelling Flashcards are the "best in the business." Teachers will find the games perfect for setting up "centers" in the classroom for varying the learning experience and deepening the mastery. In an age when few received much phonics training, the audio cd will prove invaluable. Don Potter

LisaTX · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:56 pm

Yay! Thank you for posting that. It only has a couple negative reviews and they're petty. I also like to check out the negative reviews before buying a book. In the first few pages of the book, the author says some of the same things that are in "Why Johnny Can't Read". I think he might have recommended this book if it had been written then.

Scott Bryce · **Posted:** Sat Aug 24, 2013 10:16 am

If you need words with a particular phonogram for practice, I can get that easily. I am working on putting together a database of words broken down by their phonograms.

LindaS · **Posted:** Sat Sep 14, 2013 8:18 am

If he does not like reading books, have him read off the computer. find some age appropriate stuff for him to read.
With DD what I did at that age, was find some interesting novels for her age and we checked them out at the library and sat down every day for half an hour and read them.
She does not read a lot of novels now, but she has a lot reading to do for her college classes.
starting high school she could read at college level.
somewhere online there used to be a site that you tested your child on and at the end it told you what grade level they are.

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