Elson vs Treadwell vs McGuffey Readers

We use the McGuffey Readers.  I use them daily when they are learning to read.  I think they are set up very well for new readers…each lesson teaches just a few new words.  The stories are much better than typical phonics readers.  They love reading about children from the past.  My older DC will read a lesson aloud, once a week, to get practice reading aloud.  I think it’s a very important skill to have!

We used the digital copies when we started.  I printed them out for easier use (in the days before e-readers).  😉  After a few years, I decided to invest in a hard copy.  

Here is a list of typical grade ranges, and I think it’s pretty accurate.  There is another set with only 4 books, but this is the one we use:

Eclectic Primer: 1st grade1st Eclectic Reader: 1st–2nd grades2nd Eclectic Reader: 3rd–4th grades3rd Eclectic Reader: 5th–6th grades4th Eclectic Reader: 6th–8th grades5th Eclectic Reader: 7th grade–college sophomore6th Eclectic Reader: 9th grade–college senior

We also have the Treadwell readers (on e-book), but I haven’t used them yet.  They seem suited for children that are already reading a bit…I start McGuffey’s as soon as they can blend CVC words.