g for a system that is almost totally independent may want to Action Reading Fundamentals. This program uses eight CDs and a workbook to teach the student. The only instructions that the teacher gets is a DVD that is about three minutes long. The system uses flashcards and games to keep the child enthused about learning. Some children may become bored with the program because it is very straightforward without gimmicks or animations. Most students find plenty of room in the workbook to complete the exercises which use the precursive style.
The Adventures in Phonics program is very intense. Not all children will be prepared for the rapid pace at which this program moves. Children will do better if they already have a basic idea of letter and sound combinations. This curriculum is not appropriate for all settings because it incorporates Christian values and words which may be offensive to some users. Some children will find that the provided space in the workbook is too small for their big writing. Most activities in the workbook are fill-in-the-blank or connect the dots which may bore some children. Little attention is given to blending words.
14. Color Phonics
Color Phonics CD program probably works better as a supplement to another phonics program. Children are introduced to basic phonics concepts while watching five CDs. Each concept is carefully introduced. Then, practice occurs with the child being shown a cloudy picture. With every answer that the child gets correct, the picture becomes clearer. When all answers are correct, the child is rewarded with an animation. The program teaches consonants before vowels which are introduced in family groups. Children are encouraged to mark in their own books to practice the skills that they are learning.
13. Explode the Code
Explode the Code teaches some phonics while it also uses techniques to introduce students to letters. The program starts with an initial assessment so that parents or teachers are not wasting time teaching children what they already know. Different learning activities are included to help children with different learning styles including visual, auditory and kinesthetic. There is an online version that many find easier to use because it is less adult intensive. Some adults find the assessments difficult to interpret, and the computer program does this automatically.
There are two programs called Alpha-Phonics. Teachers and parents should look for the one from Chalcedon, as it is an updated version of the original by The Paradigm Company. This program is contained in a single manual that lies flat. It contains both teacher and student instructions. The program does a great job of teaching basic phonics rules. There is not much practice for students, so parents and teachers will need to supplement this manual. Sounds and words are introduced without accompanying pictures, so this may be a problem for some students. Others will benefit from the straight-forward presentation.
Parents and teachers find Foundations one of the simplest courses to use. Reading, writing, handwriting, and spelling are all combined with the believe that students learn better when these language art skills reinforce each other. Unlike most programs, a letter is introduced to a student and then its most common sounds are taught together. For example, the student is introduced to the letter a by learning all three of its normal sounds. Great emphasis is placed on saying the sounds properly with the mouth and tongue. Parents and teachers can choose rather they want the child to write in manuscript or cursive with places in the workbook for both.
First Start Reading starts with the introduction of holding a pencil properly before children can develop poor writing skills. Then, it introduces children to a few consonants and then teaches them to blend them before vowels are introduced. This series has three books that children move through rather rapidly. Parents and teachers find all three books covered in one teaching manual. Essential sight words are introduced along the way so that chil