Reading Made Easy or The Reading Lesson

[rod_squad]

HI! Having a very hard time picking the phonics portion for my kdg and 2nd grader. Anyone have a preference of the two programs? Also, in BLHFHG, I dont see a grammar selection. Would I be able to use either phonics program for both kids? I saw in BHFHG there is a Preparing to Build English 2. Might this be a good choice for my 2nd grader who is already a fantastic reader?
Slightly confused....thanks in advance!

[Mercy]

Hi, we use the reading lesson. I really like it. Reading made easy you make a word catapillar, so some mommies like that hands on element. I am the open and go type, so I appreciate how easy the reading lesson is.

Beyond has language arts study scheduled once per week.

Hope that helps!
Mercy

[BethB]

I'm just starting out myself, with a 4-yr-old who taught herself to sight-read, but still needs phonics instruction.

Having checked out all the options at a recent book fair, The Reading Lesson would be my choice, IF my dd didn't already know how to read -- it appears wonderfully simple in its presentation, not at all visually overwhelming to teacher or student -- definitely seems more open-and-go. Reading Made Easy gets very good reviews, but since it is thoroughly scripted for the teacher, and the child has to read straight from the same page, my dd would have run screaming from all that text!

However, since my dd already knows how to sight-read, I really need to work more on making sure she's figuring out words phonetically, rather than just remembering them -- she needs to learn the phonics rules so that she can apply them to future unfamiliar words. If this is similar to the situation for your 2nd grader... I recently ordered Phonics Pathways (new 10th Ed.) because I saw that Carrie had recommended it as an alternative, when wanting to focus more on the phonics rules than TRL or RME do. It's very thorough, starts from the very beginning for a non-reader, but it's also recommended for children who can already read, but need phonics work. Perfect for our situation. All the phonics rules are presented (but not tediously boring), along with many game/activity ideas, which my dd will enjoy. I also like that it works on eye-tracking ability, to teach her not to jump around and skip words.

So... for starting out with a non-reader, I would prefer the simplicity of The Reading Lesson. For a reader who needs phonics, you might consider Phonics Pathways.

Hope that helps!
Beth

[Candice]

We used The Reading Lesson and loved the simplicity and ease of use. It offers the basic nuts and bolts of learning to read in a no-fuss, no-fluff manner.
It had just enough eye appeal for my daughter with the line drawings of characters that she could color, and the occasional activity throughout.
My daughter also appreciated the large, easy to read font, and I appreciated the way the author designed the font to reduce in size over time as the stories became longer. Using this program felt like time well spent in an effort to get my daughter confident in her reading skills.

Candice

[rod_squad]

Thank you all so much. Im going to go with TRL! This is so cool...to be able to ask questions and have such helpful responses so quickly. What a blessing!

[Candice]

Great choice, enjoy!

Candice

[3sweeties]

We LOVE the Reading Lesson!:D It has been so much easier teaching my second DS to read with it compared to my first, with whom I used another program.

As far as R&S 2, yes, you could use it with your 2nd grader. I used it with my DS for 2nd and it was fine. The only thing I would caution you about it is that you may find that you need to do 1/2-3/4 of the lesson orally with your child and then only a little bit of it written, either on a whiteboard or paper. I tried to do every.single.exercise. as written in the book when we started and it produced lots of tears and frustration. Once I eased up and allowed him to do some orally, it definitely improved and he still retained the info really well! Just speaking from experience! I think in Beyond there is also a very gentle introduction to grammar, so you could do that as a another option and it would be great for your 2nd grader too!!! HTH a little!

[Kathleen]

We also are on our 2nd trip through The Reading Lesson, and have loved it!! It's been a much more enjoyable journey than the phonics choice I made with my oldest.

Just in case you or anyone else is interested, here is a thread where Carrie gives her take on the 2 programs and how they teach and differ.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3931#p29197

Kathleen