Author: Samuel Blumenfeld
Last updated: 2012
If you are looking for a simple, no frills approach to teaching your child to read then I believe Alpha-Phonics will be a great fit for you.
Alpha-Phonics is not a new company, they have been around for many years with too many success stories to list here. They made Cathy Duffy's top 100 picks for Homeschool Curriculum. Mary Pride has given them her highest rating several times also. This is a company with a strong, trustworthy reputation.
When you first open the textbook you will see simple lessons in an easy to read font in black lettering. There are no colored pictures to illustrate the sounds or distract your child. I love this book because you can go at your child's pace, there is no hurry. You move from lesson to lesson as your child is ready. Something new they have added is a CD-rom of the book when you purchase the textbook. This is the text book in CD-rom form. I didn't use this because I like to do our lessons in places I would rather not take my laptop, but I can see how this would make it easy for a mom who might have a student who could do the later lessons as review on their own.
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| Sample lesson |
This is solid phonics. I have taught nine kids to read and this method always worked best even for my two children who were dyslexic. Short vowels are taught first and later the blends. By the 3rd lesson they are reading simple sentences. You can also use this book to teach cursive writing which has become a lost handwriting.
This does require a parent work through with their child, but there is no preparation. I loved being able to pick up where we left off the day before and not have to look ahead & prepare. That is a homeschool mom's best friend...non-prep materials.
You can also purchase the Companion Workbook with more simple pages to help reinforce what your child is learning. I personally didn't use these, but I can see how they would be a good addition.
The 10 Little Companion Readers stay with the theme of no frill, simple learning. Each book focuses on one learning concept. These make a great supplement to the program.
My only negative for this program would be the price.I thought it was a bit expensive since it is all sold separately.
Text book is $34.95 (which includes the CD-rom)
Readers are $24.95
Workbook is $19.95
You can order these at the Alpha Phonics website or click the image below.
