Which phonics program would you recommend?

[lmercon]

My ds is 7. We are using Beyond this year. I have the emerging reader set, and we are working through that. He is doing well, but still needs assistance. I use ETC 1-3 last year and used 3 1/2 this year just as review. I moved him to book 5. I skipped 4 because I was told it seemed harder than 5. Anyway, he is finding book 5 to be tough. He can do it, but it takes work. I'm looking for something that is more review in nature. He does this seat work on the day he is with his Grandma. HOD recommends The Reading Lesson or Reading Made Easy. Are either of these superior to the other? Do you have any other series that you like? I don't need a full phonics program. I just want something that will be a good review for him to keep the phonics fresh. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Laura

[SoaringEagle]

I can't help you too much with your question but just wanted to say that we are enjoying The Reading Lesson. It is open and go. It does come with a cd for games. We tried it once when we first started the book...probably should take it out again and probably my dd might enjoy it better now that she is reading a little bit more.

[inHistiming]

We used Reading Made Easy and like it...working slowly through with ds 5 too. But, if you just want a light review, you could try http://www.starfall.com. It's free and has 2-3 different levels to choose from when working on phonics...learning the alphabet, short words, then booklets to read. It might be something worth looking into.

[Mom2Monkeys]

I like and use Phonics Pathways and Reading Pathways. I use them together but for review, you could certainly use Phonics Pathways alone, or maybe even just the Reading Pathways alone. You could look at either and see which one best fits your needs. I think you can see samples at dorbooks.com

[jensmom]

We are using Reading Made Easy and love it. Actually we are almost finished. We have completed 98 of the 108 lessons and dd is reading very well. She is a reluctant learner so it was a bit scary for me for a while but her reading has really blossomed as we approach the end of the lessons. She is now picking up books and reading on her own quite often. I am very happy with it as I am a very avid reader and hoped that she would love it as well. So far, so good. When we finish we will start on the emerging readers list...I have the Beginner's Bible ready to go and she is excited to start reading it.

Judy
dd 6 - Beyond

[Patience]

Both of my children have used Reading Made Easy as well. I used it with my daughter and she was quite a strong reader once we were done. It hasn't come quite so easy for my son, but he is still doing really well with it and we are on lesson 82 now. He needs me to review more from time to time (which the author suggests, I just never really needed to with my dd). I have found it to be a solid program and it seems everyone likes having an actual story to read at the end of each lesson. Since you mention you are looking for an older child, I think RME could be a good fit. I have always used this in 1st grade because the print seems a bit small for a really young child to me. However, I suppose I can't offer a knowledgeable comparison to the Reading Lesson because I've only glanced at samples online and really I am not familiar with it, but I'm sure it is excellent! I hope you find the best fit for your dear one!

[Benelli]

I have not used Reading Made Easy, so I can't do a comparison. But, I am using The Reading Lesson with both of my 1st graders and my Kindergartner. I love it. They love it. It is easy to follow and teach. The pages are simple and uncluttered. And, to me, the way sounds and words are introduced seems very logical. I also like that after each new sound or blend, there is a story to read.

Before, I had tried How To Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, but that was not a good fit for either me or my children at all. It seemed much more unneccessarily complicated.

Blessings,

[MamaBear23Cubs]

I used Ordinary Parents Guide To Teach Reading with my oldest when she came home at age 7. I also bought phonic books from the book store. We have the Scoobie ones and now the Diego and Dora ones (have new readers in the near future). I also had her go on starfall.com because it was free. I think the key is to really just read and read some more. I am a big reader so I tend to push it. She's 9 now and enjoys reading. She still has some issues with some words but then surprises me when she says a huge crazy word that is in her science text. I think OPGTR is similar to one of the phonics recommended on here but I wasn't going to switch again because I first started with 100 EZ Lessons and it didn't go over well. I just recently tried that book again with child number 2 and it still isnot a hit so I am back to OPGTR with my son.

[jensmom]

Before, I had tried How To Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, but that was not a good fit for either me or my children at all. It seemed much more unneccessarily complicated.

Blessings,

I agree about How to Teach Your Child in 100 Easy Lessons. We got to about lesson 10 and stopped. It was very hard to get excited about - was very dull. Reading Made Easy has fun stories to read and pictures to look at and discuss. Activities are engaging and entertaining while learning. My dd especially likes the Sight Word Worms.

Judy