A couple of things…..

Brooke,

I am sorry I don’t have a lot of things to say on this topic other than I have used one and only 1 book to teach 3 and starting on #4 how to read. That book is “Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons” by Siegried Englemann. I love this book.

I have had others come to me and ask to borrow this and I will not let them for fear that it might not come back. But they have bought it for there new readers and children who seem to keep having problems and re-teach using this book and say thank again for telling me about this book.

After they complete the 100 lessons (each lesson about 10 – 15 min a day) I go right to step 1 books and they are quite ready for this, my advanced reader went right to level 2 and at 6 is now at 3/4 reading level.

I hope this helps. This has worked awesome for me and I love it’s simple way of teaching.

Blessings,

Misty

Oh hey, I ment to mention that I use the McGuffey readers for dictation with my 7 yr. old son and really like them for that purpose too.

Brooke,

I’ve used “100 Easy Lessons” and we did okay with it. One dd liked it, two didn’t! I’m using “Happy Phonics” with my 10, 9 and 7 year olds. It’s a game developed by Diane Hopkins of Love To Learn– http://www.lovetolearn.net I take about 10-15 minutes per girl and at their level–whatever they need to work on next. Diane has a guide with it–it covers everything I can think of in a fun way!

I also use “Teach a Child to Read With Children’s Books” by Mark Thogmartin. I *think* it might be out of print, but I was able to check out a copy through interlibrary loan. I then purchased an ex-library copy through Amazon. It’s also online free, but I can’t seem to find the link (thought I bookmarked it). You can Google it with his name and probably find the free website. Anyway, I feel it really meshes with the CM way as we are using books to teach and cement those skills. I break his suggested “lessons” up over two days since I am solidifying one dd (the 10 yr. old), one is reading some (the 9 yr. old) and the youngest is just starting to get it!

And hopefully not to confuse you more 🙂 there’s Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt. I have seriously considered this one, but would like to look at it “in person”!

Hope something here was helpful!

Trisch

We are using Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt and absolutely LOVE IT! My 7 year old son is really getting it and enjoying reading on top of that! It includes short phonics/reading lessons, narration, copywork, living books, and much more. We’ve tried many things and this has worked best for us. May the Lord bless you and yours!

Heather

Kelley,

I certainly do not know why they do not have more advertising. I haven’t used any of the other books but I plan, too. My dd is going to be 7 on April 14th and my ds is 7 1/2. We adopted her and she has some sensory dysfunctions and has been a slower reader and my son took off early. It worked wonderfully w/both of them since it is personally adjustable for you. I have the 2006 version, so it was k-3 on one cd, so we are still using it. For my dd, just 5 minutes at a time was all she could do at first. But since it is gentle, it was perfect! Now she’s up to 10-15 min. Just depends on how soon she starts to wiggle and make frequent mistakes, then we’re done! She has Speech and auditory roblems, so the repetition and reinforcemnt of sounds gives her many opportunities to evelop the correct sound. The recommendation is no more 15 min. a day anyway.

I don’t use it every day like I did at the beginning. For dd, 2x a wk., and for ds 1x a wk. I use McGuffey 2x a wk. and the Elson readers 2x a week. She’s almost finished w/the Elson and McG. Primer (in less than a year)and my son (18 mths), has skipped and is in the McG 2nd reader, as well as the Elson 2nd. reader.

I am so extremely pleased. I am always trying to use the same thing w/both of mine to save money and the way she has designed this program has been able to create such a design for two people who are entirely different in learning styles. It has steady reinforcement of what has been previously taught, Mother Goose stories, poems, and a similarity to the McGuffey style. It also helps with spelling without you even knowing it. Also, my children loved the stories that introduce the sounds and the “vintage” b/w drawings. That was another thing. I’m not a fan of “cartoony” style pictures nor having to create cards, charts, or time consuming games. I didn’t have to do those and my children enjoy it, too.

I almost feel guilty when their reading is complimented, due to the fact that I don’t feel like I worked too hard to make it happen!

Hope this was enough explanation. I actually think their book line should be on the list of common CM resources, alongside Queen.

Let me know if you have any more questions,

Rachel

Trisch,

I looked all over for the free online copy of Teaching your child to read with Children’s books–I couldn’t find it! I could purchase it, but I always like to flip through them first. Any chance you found the link for the free online version?

Faith 🙂

Kelley (and others),

For her speech, I also use Speechercise from Twin Sisters Productions.

http://www.twinsisters.com/onlinecatalog/songsthatteach/earlychildhood2.htm

It works on blends and all tongue and mouth exercising, all to safe, kiddy music.

Rachel