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I have been tossing around ideas for my ds 6 to use for phonics. So far we have done R & S learning through sounds - I think it's called - (didn't care for it), and ETC. But is ETC a stand-alone phonics curriculum or primarily useful as a supplement/reinforcement? This is the first child I have taught to read and I'm nervous about it.

Thanks!

Monique

I really like ETC, but I do feel it is more of a supplement. Very few people I know have said they use it as their only phonics instruction.

We are using "The Reading Lesson" and are enjoying it. I do wish I would have bought the CD-ROM with it, but was being cheap and just got the book. However, I think it is a very good program. (It is one of the suggested phonics programs for HOD.)

I also was nervous to teach my child to read, but so far it's not too bad. I think the "trick" is to just keep plugging away and not get discouraged. My daughter almost taught herself to read and just kind of picked it up. My son, not so much (But he is a natural at math...so I guess it will even out in the end!)

We were using ETC, with a little of this and that, but we were not really progressing. Somehow my son was just not transferring it to a book. I do like it, and it would make a good supplement if needed. We are doing The Reading Lesson now and making good progress. I have not felt the need to continue with ETC. I am thinking about getting the 3 "before the code" books (I can't remember their names) that go through the entire alphabet for my youngest for next year. He will be repeating LHTH next year with some tweaking and he will not be ready for TRL yet. Good luck with your decision. I wrestled the most with reading/phonics decisions.

We like to use Explode the Code primers for preK and then start book 1 in Kindergarten to get them used to blending. Then in 1st grade we start R&S phonics/reading (not the one you mentioned; this is the Bible Nurture Reader Series. You can do phonics or reading or both; it's not necessary to do both of them together). R&S phonics starts off really easy but gets hard fast, so I think it helps if they are already reading some!

I know there are people out there who have used ETC exclusively for their phonics with success (read reviews at homeschoolreviews.com), but I really like R&S. It does take us quite a bit of time each day, but it works.

I haven't seen the phonics programs that HOD recommends, but I'm sure they are good. I just wanted to chime in and mention that the R&S program you mentioned isn't the only thing they have.

Monique,

How exciting for you and your dc. Learning to read is hard work, but very rewarding. I have absolutely zero educational experience on how to teach reading. But I have taught 2 of my ds's to read and #3 is learning his letters. I have been absolutely amazed that I could teach a child to read. You will do a super job.

I love ETC and recommend it for a supplement. I would use it as a reinforcement. If you are not thrilled with R&S, perhaps choose another phonics program. I have and like Reading Made Easy. I am planning to use it with my 3rd ds. My other 2 used other programs. After dc are well into there phonics I would use ETC as a review. My middle ds has done 2 pages a day through book 7. I did not use the 1/2 books unless we needed extra practice. I would not try to coordinate ETC with your phonics curriculum. My oldest used Plaid Phonics. It worked very well for him, but ETC seems more quirky and fun.

Blessings,
Cindy

With my second child I used ETC as the main insturction and happy phonics as a supplement. We did the 3 pk books and got through book 4. Once we got to book 4 I switched him to 1st grade abeka phonics and he did great. He has now finished 2nd grade abeka phonics and has finished the emergent readers program. He is in his second genre of DITHOR. This worked for this particular child. I am not repeating with my 3rd child, nor did I do it with #1. This was the best choice for ds #2. He didn't start with a huge desire to learn. He is more of a wiggly willy. He needed the short lessons ETC provided and the simple pages. They were not distracting. If you decide to do ETC as your main instruction I would highly recommend you get the teacher manual as there are activities. I did do the activities in the TE, which I feel helped ETC be complete. HOpe this helps.

I was very nervous to teach the kids how to read. I had bought ETC to supplement with the Reading Lesson, thinking that The Reading Lesson wasn't sufficient on it's own. Boy, was I wrong! I love TRL, and it is perfect as a stand alone curriculum.. very simple and easy to use. The cd is great to use, like we did, as kind of a reward for getting the book part done. The kids loved it! I started it with my, then, 5 and 6 year olds. They are now 6 and 7 and are done with it, reading wonderfully, and on to the emerging readers! I totally encourage moms not to spend a fortune on fancy reading programs! ETC is great, but we found it not needed at all!

Hope that helps encourage you a bit!

LeAnna

We are using RME and I used it with my dd previously...we love it. I feel it's a very thorough program. I am using ETC as a supplement and my son really enjoys doing all the different activities. We have also just begun using the Bob books, because we already had the first set, and my ds 6 is so excited that he is able to read "a whole book". He actually read the first 4 last night and wanted to keep going. Anyway, just wanted to say that we do use and love ETC but wouldn't personally use it alone....I feel I need a better guide for teaching. (Not sure if there are guides available with that or not, we just have the workbook.) This is what has worked for us.

I'd use either The Reading Lesson or Reading Made Easy as your core phonics program, and use ETC as a supplement. We used ETC Books 1-3 as a supplement and thought it was awesome for that. We are also fans of the BOB books here, so those would be fun to have on hand too for when your child is reading 3 letter words fairly well already. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

I really appreciate all the advice. I looked at the TM's for ETC, but I didn't feel that great about it I guess. We are going to use RME and see how it goes. My son dislikes doing the workbook pages in ETC, so I think I'm going to ditch it altogether for the time being at least.

Thanks ladies!

Monique

My son, turns 6 this month, is using the Before Expode the Code A,B &C. He had already been thru Little Hands and knew the sounds so these are a good review for sounds. It's also easy for him to do on his own while I work with his sister. It's the same routine for each letter/sound. I have Explode the Code 1 and 2 for when we finish. I am using ETC along with 100 EZ Lessons. Since I already had a learning to read book I didn't look into the HOD's recommendations. I don't have the TM for the levels a.b or c but I do have the TM for 1 and 2. After this year is over I will be using ACE and ETC instead of HOD's recommendations. R&S is wonderful and I would love to use it but I tried it with the oldest and didn't work out so I don't plan on trying with #2 or 3.