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javamommy
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« on: May 19, 2010, 11:23:57 AM » |
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I'd like to give my son a head start when it comes to reading in school. Plus, he won't be in preschool this summer so we'll have time to focus on it. Are there any good programs someone could recommend? I've heard of hooked on phonics but are there any others?
I'd love to hear from teachers especially since you might have seen more success with one program over the other. Thanks!
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nikitis
Freshman Member
Posts: 82
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« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2010, 01:32:29 PM » |
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We are using TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ IN 100 EASY LESSONS and Ariana loves it. We're only a week into it, but the book is very easy to use (it tells you word for word what you're supposed to say & do) and incorporates handwriting as well as the letter sounds/blends. A friend of mine taught all three of her boys how to read with this book (they only learned Spanish in school so she was 100% responsible for the English aspect of their education) and she loved it so I thought I'd try it out. So far both Ariana & I enjoy her 'learning how to read time' and I feel like we're making some progress but she's not being left in the dust either. The book says it should take 20 minutes a day, but I think we average 10? She also plays on starfall.com they have free phonics and letter games for kids to do. And fun songs for each letter sound as well  I got my 100 EASY LESSONS from Barnes & Noble so you can see what the book is like there, or if you'd rather I can bring my book on Sunday for you to look at. |
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momaha mama
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« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2010, 12:10:33 PM » |
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Wow, Chris, I wish I would have seen this post from you at the beginning of summer!
Are you guys still doing this book? Can you see an improvement?
Will your daughter be in kindergarten this fall?
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kazmom
Newbie
Posts: 12
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« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2010, 07:01:58 AM » |
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Scholastic Books has many beginner reader programs. My daughter loves them.
Websites:
Starfall.com
sesamestreet.com (org?)
pbskids.org
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momaha mama
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« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2010, 02:22:54 PM » |
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Thanks, kazmom! I did check out the 100 Easy Lessons book at the bookstore last night. It was waaaay too big and heavy and daunting (and expensive) for me!
I honestly thought, "Oh, well, school starts in three weeks anyway."
Yeah, I know.
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AntBre
Newbie
Posts: 28
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« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2010, 04:54:04 PM » |
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With in 3 weeks of starting KG my son came home and was reading! It was awesome and so don't stress jsut work on the stuff they give you in school
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momaha mama
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« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2010, 08:52:54 AM » |
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AntBre, thank you! That's encouraging.
I went to my son's elementary's school's kindergarten page on the school's Web site last night and they have several links to Web sites designed to help kids learn to read. One was called Starfall and I looked at it just briefly, but it looks cool. It's simple and easy enough for the kids to do on their own. Next week, I'm definitely going to have him look at it and try it, just to see how it goes. It can't hurt, right?
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mom2lulu
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« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2010, 10:19:38 AM » |
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I still worry..I think I've posed this question before..how much does a child need to know BEFORE entering kindergarten? How much should they be able to do? My daughter is turning 4 and will go next year. Does she need to know basic reading before we send her, or should we not worry? (We will likely be sending her to a Catholic school, St. Pius/St. Leo..any advice from parents out there?)
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AntBre
Newbie
Posts: 28
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« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2010, 11:13:50 AM » |
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Starfall was a web site i came across right before my son started KG and to my surprise they used that web site in his classroom at school it is a fantastic site!
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taylor51503
Newbie
Posts: 13
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« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2010, 09:01:36 AM » |
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I still worry..I think I've posed this question before..how much does a child need to know BEFORE entering kindergarten? How much should they be able to do? My daughter is turning 4 and will go next year. Does she need to know basic reading before we send her, or should we not worry? (We will likely be sending her to a Catholic school, St. Pius/St. Leo..any advice from parents out there?)
I am a teacher, and though I'm not presently teaching kindergarten, I have. When I did, I had kids come in at many different levels. I had kids come in reading a little, down to kids that didn't even know how to hold a pencil or cut with scissors! I wouldn't worry about making sure she has reading skills. You can always work with her on saying the alphabet and counting, that wouldn't hurt!! But, for the most part, you don't need to worry too much! |
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Proud to be my kids mom!
Matt (21), Rachael (9), and Katie (6)
Elementary School Teacher (4th)
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momaha mama
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« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2010, 09:13:30 AM » |
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Yes, I know my son's kindergarten classroom will use the starfall site, too. In fact, one of the supplies he needs to bring are earbuds or small earphones. I was impressed to see that each kindergarten classroom has really nice computers for the kids to use. Talk about different from when we were in school!
I tried working with him last night as we were reading a book before bed on some letters and the sounds they make and how to put those sounds together to read words. It's hard! I felt like I didn't really know what I was doing. But I was encouraged that he knew almost all the letters (he gets N and M and W mixed up) and at least some of the sounds they make.
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nikitis
Freshman Member
Posts: 82
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« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2010, 02:24:18 PM » |
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Thanks, kazmom! I did check out the 100 Easy Lessons book at the bookstore last night. It was waaaay too big and heavy and daunting (and expensive) for me!
I honestly thought, "Oh, well, school starts in three weeks anyway."
Yeah, I know.
I do understand that, the book is a little scary just looking at it. But it's really not that complicated to use, or for the child to follow. As least not in my very limited experience. Considering I can re-use the book with all my children, the cost wasn't that big of a factor for me. And I am also homeschooling Ariana (starting with kindergarten this fall, hopefully it goes well and we continue) so I will be the one teaching my child to read she won't learn it in a classroom. It works for us, the great thing is there are so many resources out there each family can find something that works for them. |
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mom2lulu
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« Reply #12 on: August 05, 2010, 10:05:39 AM » |
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I bought a $1 workbook at Target where you could trace over the letters. It was just too hard for my nearly-4-year-old...she doesn't have the hand coordination to trace. She also had to draw a line from the Cap A to the little a. She could do that just fine, but she didn't understand the concept of drawing a straight line from one to the other. She drew the line all over the paper and eventually wound it to the small a.
Like Veronica said, I feel out of my game trying to help her with this stuff. It seems like it should be easy forher to pick up, but she's just not ready yet. (Like sounding out simple words and putting the letters together)
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1stGradeTeacher
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Posts: 10
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« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2010, 05:52:38 AM » |
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The best way to know how "ready" your kindergartener needs to be is to talk to a kindergarten teacher at the school that your child will attend. Most will want them to be able to write their name, know their letters, and be able to count. What will help them the most is if they know how to listen, be respectful, clean up after themselves, and follow directions. If they can do those things, the teacher can do their job, and learning will take place!
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