Anonymous wrote:If cost is an issue, I use the free Core Knowledge Language Arts program: http://www.coreknowledge.org/ckla

There are two components, one of which teaches phonics and handwriting (starting in K). It is designed for classroom use, but my daughter learned to read quickly using these methods combined with Reading Eggs for fun practice: http://readingeggs.com/

We used Preschool Prep, Hooked on Phonics, and Reading Eggs. My Kids love Reading Egggs, which now also has Math Seeds, and spelling practice. Do look at this program if you haven't already.

If cost is an issue, I use the free Core Knowledge Language Arts program: http://www.coreknowledge.org/ckla

There are two components, one of which teaches phonics and handwriting (starting in K). It is designed for classroom use, but my daughter learned to read quickly using these methods combined with Reading Eggs for fun practice: http://readingeggs.com/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies so far.

She can read and did end 1st grade reading at a first grade level but still struggles with decoding words. K and 1st cover the basic letter sounds but there was very little work with letter blends so we are still struggling with those.

Barton is great for decoding. SO is WIlson, but it needs more training. Barton is more geared toward the parent at home.

My only hesitation with Barton would be that it is really expensive.

Barton is geared towards kids with dyslexia. It would help any kid, but would be unnecessary for kids who are typical learners. If she's mostly at grade level but having problems with a couple of things, I would try some of the other free/inexpensive things first.

If you suspect dyslexia, though, Barton would be my first recommendation for a homeschooler. Dyslexia affects 10-15% of people and equal prevalence among both boys and girls. If you do suspect dyslexia, I recommend first watching the videos on http://www.dys-add.com/freeVideos.html

Anonymous wrote:Explode the code is a great program.

plus 1. I am a teacher.

All about spelling. All about reading.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, take a look at www.abcdrp.com

Abecedarian program. Workbooks are dirt cheap and extremely effective.

Explanation of reading "method" here:

http://abcdrp.com/FAQ.asp#Question_01

Thanks! I actually settled on working through a phonics program for dyslexics and it is going ok. I don't know if my child is dyslexic but the format seems to be working for us. I like the looks of this program and may move on to it after we finish the current one. This one looks more extensive.

I think the abecedarian program is more efficient than most other published phonics programs. I have had good success with it with kids diagnosed with dyslexia, even those with severe phonological processing deficits and poor visual memory. It might not be enough for a child with significant rapid automatic naming deficit, however.

Anonymous wrote:OP, take a look at www.abcdrp.com

Abecedarian program. Workbooks are dirt cheap and extremely effective.

Explanation of reading "method" here:

http://abcdrp.com/FAQ.asp#Question_01

Thanks! I actually settled on working through a phonics program for dyslexics and it is going ok. I don't know if my child is dyslexic but the format seems to be working for us. I like the looks of this program and may move on to it after we finish the current one. This one looks more extensive.

OP, take a look at www.abcdrp.com

Abecedarian program. Workbooks are dirt cheap and extremely effective.

Explanation of reading "method" here:

http://abcdrp.com/FAQ.asp#Question_01

Anonymous wrote:Op,we are preschool homeschool phonics folks, but I just want to cheer you on here!

thanks but I also want to say that it's a lot tougher than I imagined it would be now that my child is older. Maybe because I thought my kid would just pick it up very naturally but teaching phonics has been more of a challenge than I could have imagined. I just came back to this thread to get the names of the other products besides Barton that were mentioned to research those as well. It turns out I am spending way more time then I ever thought researching and the cost of trying things out like workbooks and curriculum are more expensive in terms of cost and time then I imagined.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies so far.

She can read and did end 1st grade reading at a first grade level but still struggles with decoding words. K and 1st cover the basic letter sounds but there was very little work with letter blends so we are still struggling with those.

Barton is great for decoding. SO is WIlson, but it needs more training. Barton is more geared toward the parent at home.

Op here - thanks for the tip about Barton. I wasn't aware of it. I am going to try the screening tests on their site and see what happens.