So, has anyone used the "A Reason for Reading" beginning books? I plan to start "The Reading Lesson" if it ever comes (no, we did not order from HOD, it was an thought after we had already ordered). My son understands how to sound out words and can work on his own in Explode the Code book 2, but he struggles when applying it to actually reading a book. I plan to start in TRL where it will be quite easy for him and just work our way through the whole book, but I am looking for something else too (and maybe I shouldn't be). A friend of mine explained the "whole language" philosophy behind the "A Reason for Reading" program, which makes sense, but I tend to lean towards the phonics approach. I do however, like balance, and am wondering if it would be worth the money. Any thoughts? BTW, my son is 4 1/2 so on the younger side of things.Edited to add we are brand new to HOD, but I have been flailing around with phonics and reading for awhile with our son, as he learned his letters and sound very early on. We were fine until he had the lightbulb moment on how to sound out words, now we struggle with moving that forward (and I am not pushing hard because of his age).
Good luck in deciding!