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Hi, ladies! I am considering switching around what I am currently using for phonics. My dd7 just completed Beyond and is moving into Bigger. She is reading at a 4th grade level, which is awesome. I used Explode the Code with her and she loved it. I started using it with my ds5 and he likes it as well. My dilemma is that I feel like my daughter is still learning some phonics rules 2 years later since Explode the Code takes quite a long time to move through the rules. She has also not had some rules that I think should have been introduced earlier on. Has anyone else had this experience? Also wondering if you have used Reading Made Easy or The Reading Lesson and whether you liked it or not. Just trying to get my ducks in a row before we ramp up for school again!

Any help would be appreciated!
Mary

We used ETC as a supplement, and I agree, I think it is more efficient to move through a 1 year phonics program from start to finish. HOD carries 2 great phonics programs, but any phonics can be used with HOD. Here is a link that may be helpful...

Carrie compares The Reading Lesson and Reading Made Easy
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2503

In Christ,
Julie

I used The Reading Lesson with my ds, and it worked great for him, but it doesn't explicitly teach many rules. They are learning them implicitly, but only a handful are addressed by stating the rule. I don't know about how RME approaches it, though. Somebody else will chime in, I'm sure

We used ETC exclusively, but felt it was going too slow with the rules. We switched in 2nd grade to Alphaphonics and she then exploded. She reads at a 7th grade level now. I think your idea of reviewing phonics will bolster your child's reading level. Have fun!

Christine,
I have Alphaphonics and I started using that in the beginning when she was in her PreK year. She was moving through it quickly and I was using ETC as a supplement. But trying to go back and forth between the two programs made me crazy. And Alphaphonics is not very exciting to look at so I just started using ETC exclusively. She is a great reader now (reading 4th grade level at end of 1st grade) so I am not sure that it will make a huge difference but I might try running her through Alphaphonics over the summer and pick up anything that she has missed with ETC. Do you really feel like it made a big difference for your daughter? Thanks for the input on that. I had somewhat thought about using Alphaphonics.
I am thinking I might switch to Reading Made Easy for my son who is just starting phonics.

Thanks for the input, ladies! I just love this board!

Mary