60-day returns • free shipping on USA orders $129+
Explode the Code help…
- This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years ago by
.
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
- Posts
Have any of you taught your children to read through the Explode the Code series? I’m unclear as to whether this can be used as a stand alone phonics program or if I need to use something like “Reading Made Easy” with it.
My son is 4 (soon to be 5 in the spring) and he is already reading three letter words, knows all of his letters by recognition (upper and lower), and can write them. Today, he read 15 three to four four letter words with no problem. I don’t want to use a phonics program where we literally start from scratch…him learning his ABC’s. ETC seemed nice because I can start at whatever workbook level my son is at.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Brin
I started with Explode the Code and it didn’t last long. It is definitely not CM and is dry. It requires far too much writing for the age group it is targeted for. You can teach phonics without these; you want to keep your son’s interest in language and reading, not dirupt it with such a dry and dead presentation.
Sorry if I sound harsh, just matter-of-fact.
Have you looked at Ruth Beechick’s learning series? Specifically in this case, “A Home Start in Reading”.It is easily accessible at the library or bought cheaply at Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Home-Start-Reading-Grades-K-3/dp/0940319004/ref=pd_sim_b_1
When teaching my dd, I used alot of magnet letters and puzzle letters when teaching the basics of reading, that way no writing. There’s also games out there that are gentle introductions to sounds and reading and such.
My advice is just to keep it as casual and relaxed as possible.
Rachel
Here is just my 2 cents:
My 6yo son has learned to read from using the Explode the Code series. He is on book 4 now. I can’t say he has really enjoyed it, but I never know if that’s just a boy thing (always wanting to play rather than sit/learn) or if I’ve just picked the wrong books to put in front of him.
In spite of his lackluster attitude, the EtC books ARE working, and he is reading quite well even though we are only halfway through the whole EtC series. We are concurrently going through the Pathway readers, too (First Steps, Days Go By, More Days Go By), and it appears that EtC has adequately equipped him for this level of reading. (I had no other reason for choosing EtC other than I liked the reasonable price!)
I have a 4yo daughter that has gone through the prep series (Get Ready for the Code, Get Set for the Code, and Go for the Code — books A, B, and C)… she did these at her own request when she was still 3yo, but purely b/c she wanted to “do school” like her big brother. She is now working her way through Book 1 of the regular EtC series. I have to say I do not think this it is “normal” for 4 year olds to love workbooks… I just got lucky with this kid, so I’m not going to rock the boat.
I do wish that my son enjoyed his phonics work more, but it’s hard to imagine this rough and tumble soldier-boy loving anything that requires sitting in front of a book… any suggestions would be really appreciated since I certainly don’t want him to hate doing book work. He is still *not* liking to do schoolwork, but we manage to get through it. We are a long way from loving learning here so far… feeling like it’s my fault.
Anyway, from our experience, EtC is working for us, just don’t know if *loving* it is in the realm of possibility for my (shall we say) “spirited” 6yo boy.
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
- The topic ‘Explode the Code help…’ is closed to new replies.