Question about Reading Made Easy

[HappyMama]

Could someone tell me what reading level RME takes your child to? I know that The Reading Lesson takes kids to a 2nd grade reading level.... is RME the same?

Also, is there by chance anyone who has tried both RME and TRL? Which one do you prefer and why?

Thanks!!

[mommadonna]

HappyMama,
I am not sure about the reading level question, but thought I would chime in with what I have experienced.

When I found hod and began to purchase my materials, I suppose I prematurely jumped in and bought rme. When I got it I realized it was not a good choice for us, here's why: the pages are very busy, split into 2 columns and the letters in the words are shaded and dotted as clues to the correct sounds. I liked that it was very scripted and hands on, however I really like the open and go format of trl. Rme does have alot more activities, like a sight worm catepillar, which I think looks fun, but for us, we needed a no fuss kind of way to go. I was seriously overwhelmed with teaching phonics! I never used my copy. I just went ahead and bought trl after reading alot more information on the two. You should go to amazon and look at the sample pages of the two, they are quite different in layout. Hope that helps, and nothing against rme here, just my ds would have been highly distracted by all the other print and such on the pages. Hope you find a good fit for your needs!

[eachlee]

Hi,
I've just barely started RME, but our experience so far is a positive one. I agree with the previous post that there is a bit of prep work and the pages are full. But so far this hasn't been a problem for us. RME was highly recommended to me before I found HOD, that it was something HOD sold just confirmed to me that it was a good choice.

[HappyMama]

Thank you so much! I actually have TRL and used it successfully with my oldest son. I've never even looked at RME and was just curious as to how they compare.... I'll need either TRL or RME next year for my younger.

[smithdonnajo]

I've been using RME with my dyslexic daughter. We are almost finished with it. It has worked very well for her. The pages are "busy" but that is mostly because of the scripting. Once I got "into" the book, and got the hang of it, I didn't need the scripting anymore. I take a couple of pieces of printer paper, and fold them, to hide everything, except what my daughter is reading on the page, then move the paper down as we go. This works well for us. We like the program. The exercises and activities were very useful for my daughter, helped her cement things in her mind, helped her mind make more connections.

In April, I emailed the author of the program Valerie Bendt and asked her the very question you have. I was pleasantly surprised that she took the time to reply to me. Here is a copy of her reply to me:

Depending how much the child absorbs, it puts them at the end of 2nd grade.

Blessings,

Valerie Bendt
Ambassador Christian Academy
333 W. Rio Vista Court
Tampa, FL 33604-6940
813-758-6793

[Carrie]

Sara,

I just wanted to pop-in and let you know that both The Reading Lesson and Reading Made Easy take a child to a beginning to mid-second grade reading level. After completing either program, children move into the Emerging Reader's Set (with choice of Bible). The Early Reader's Bible is easier and more of a beginning second grade reading level. The Beginner's Bible has a less controlled vocabulary and is more of a mid-second grade reading level. Both Bibles are scheduled within the Emerging Reader's Set, allowing you to choose whichever Bible suits your child's reading level (when coming out of phonics) best.

We also have links on the HOD website, where you can see inside each of the phonics programs. Just follow the links on our HOD website here:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/phonics.php

Blessings,
Carrie

[HappyMama]

Thanks so much Carrie, that was very helpful!