 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 children can read simple sentences quickly. Teacher instructions are brief but comprehensive. Assessments are included in the course, but they are optional. All necessary activities are in the five books, so parents and teachers do not have to worry about having other supplies on hand.
Lifepac Gold Language Arts curriculum uses Christian words and concepts throughout, so it may not be appropriate in all settings. This program combines all elements of language arts into its curriculum including literature, speech, grammar, penmanship, composition, and spelling. Therefore, parents and teachers who are looking for a well-rounded curriculum may want to consider this one. This program starts with short-vowel sounds assuming that children already know letter and sound combinations. The student workbooks are full color and have plenty of room for students to work. This course is very teacher intensive, so the teacher’s manual s mandatory.
Teachers and parents who find it frustrating to teach multiple rules may find this program more to their liking. Instead of concentrating on teaching students rules, this program teaches through practice and familiarity practiced in workbooks. Levels A and B are designed for beginner readers. Carefully scripted lessons makes the lessons easy to teach. Some find the small print in the teacher’s manual difficult to see. Sounds are taught before letters encouraging students to sound out the word. The teacher or parent creates their own word cards and letter tiles with this system using supplies that they furnish. The program also has shorter versions for students needing remedial help.
Beginnings K5 is a comprehensive system covering handwriting, comprehension, composition, science, social studies, music, motor development and art. Most students do better when the entire system is used together rather than when individual components are used separately. In the phonics program, students are first introduced to vowel-consonant patterns before being introduced to beginning consonants. Parents an