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I have a 2nd grade son and a 4th grade DD. Both can read well. Though I do see them struggle with some words. DD couldn't read til mid 2nd grade and then just took off. DS, I taught him basic phonics in K and he took off from there. I'd like to finish phonics for them though. Or should I just keep having them read to me and correct them? How should I handle kids who can read well, but could use some help on the higher stuff?

We like the Explode the Code workbooks... the highest levels of those might be appropriate. I believe you can view what phonics is included in each book somewhere online by doing a google search.

May I ask what have they done for phonics so far? That may make a difference.
In Christ,
Julie

We did most of Saxon phonics 1 with my oldest, 3 years ago. Other than that, mostly just explode up to book 2. And some Ordinary parents guide to teaching reading.

I've heard a lot of people recommend doing a spelling program that has all those rules instead of a phonics program with older kids who are reading so that the kids don't feel like they are doing below grade level work.

I agree that you could finish out phonics for your 2nd and 4th grader by doing it any of the ways the ladies mentioned. However you choose to cover your phonics though, I'd keep it short and sweet. You could easily do the upper level Explode the Code workbooks or do a bit of Phonics Pathways instead. Both of those would seem a bit older approach to phonics, so it wouldn't seem too far beneath your kiddos maturity-wise. Or, you could teach through the spelling rules instead for the purpose of covering the phonics rules that were missed the first time around, using something like the ABC's and All Their Tricks or something similar instead if desired. This would also be short and sweet. I wouldn't replace any of the language arts in the HOD guide you're currently using though, as those skills will be important as your kiddos move up in the guides in the coming years.

Blessings,
Carrie

So.. this brings up something I was recently thinking about. My 8 and 9 year old children don't know any "advanced" phonics, just the basic letter sounds and "ie" "ay" etc... They both read very well. I graduated college summa cum laude and phi beta kappa with 2 majors.. but I have discovered in reading aloud to my children that when I don't know how to say a word I just guess on the pronunciation and go from there--- I don't know anything except the very basic phonics and I have been blissfully unaware of this problem until now!!! In fact I didn't really even realize I was so ignorant until we tried to use "spell to write and read" which we all disliked. When my daughter (who loves words) asks me questions like "why is this a k and not a c" etc... I never know the answer and quite frankly could care less But I am thinking that I should educate myself and my older kids about phonics.. so maybe we should use explode the code???

Kristen,

I have a degree in English and, let me tell you, rules for phonics are something I learned while teaching my youngest son to read! I don't think I was ever taught phonics, however, when I hit a name I can't pronounce in my reading, I sound it out rather than guessing and going on. I think that is just a habit. It is amazing how many things you will say, "AHA! THAT makes sense now!" at as you go through phonics with your kiddos!

It made me laugh today b/c my oldest two were reading the word "photos" and my daughter had no trouble but my son said to my daughter "how did you know ph says f ?" and my daughter told him she just knew b/c that is how you do it with the word "phone". Umm.... I think that reveals that we need to go back to basic phonics And, my problem is that I don't always know how to sound words out-- I can spell them and even know what they mean but I have no idea how to sound them out and then I go to the dictionary and realize that that doesn't even help me know how to pronounce them, I seem to be a visual learner more than auditory!! I am definitely learning along with my kids... I find it funny that so many would consider that I am well educated b/c of my educational accomplishments and yet I know better. That helps me to feel better about not conforming to public school standards and wondering if my kids are learning enough.

I didn't know phonics either, at all. I was taught to site read I think it's called. I can read a lot of stuff, really fast. DH reads slower but retains way better. I don't retain much, lol. Narrating is even hard for me. I really learn a lot from HSing:)

I second Carrie's recommendation for The ABC's and all their Tricks. It's great for the children that want to know WHY somethings are spelled/pronounced the way they are.

Hi there,

if you did not want to invest in a program and just want a list of english word rules, here is a list:

http://jensclassonline.com/index_files/Spalding.pdf

These are the Spalding rules which I find very thorough.....you could have a look at one each day for a while and just give some examples. Just a thought.....

Corrie