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It sounds silly to admit, I know. I actually have two teaching degrees, but the idea of teaching Molly to read just made me nervous. When my boys were in early elementary school, they both went to public school. So, while we read together, I wasn’t working on the nuts and bolts with them. (Though, clearly, I should have been with Noah.)
I was hopeful this past summer when I happened upon Hooked on Phonics (which I really only knew from all the “Hooked on Phonics Works For Me” commercials), and was able to score several products in their overstock area. I was also able to use a coupon code, so I decided to give this program a try.
Not only have we enjoyed the Hooked on Phonics programs we’re using this year, but they are really working! Molly is using the Learn to Read: Kindergarten-Second Grade program. She loves that she not only has a workbook-type book for it, but that she also has small story books. Her favorite thing, however, is a progress chart that she gets to put stickers on as she reads stories. This program has really taken a lot of my worries away. She is already ready to start the first grade box, and is very excited.
Noah has long been a struggling reader. He struggled as a public school student, and then saw some gains when we began homeschooling when he was in third grade. Still, though, he struggled. When I saw that I could get a good deal on the Hooked on Phonics Master Reader program, I figured it certainly couldn’t hurt. Now, maybe there were more factors at work, but Noah is 75% done with the program and I have seen a huge improvement in his reading this year. He has even been doing something that he never used to do — he has been reading for pleasure!
Now, this isn’t to say that Noah doesn’t still struggle with reading, but wow — we’ve seen some amazing improvements! Definitely worth the money we spent (especially when I got a deal and got to use a coupon code too). As a matter of fact, you can use the code SAVE20 to save 20% on your Hooked on Phonics purchase.
Hooked on Phonics has definitely been one of our successes this school year! And, while I must point out that the links to Hooked on Phonics in this post are affiliate links, I can say without doubt that I would link to it even if they weren’t affiliate links. It has just been a great program for our family!
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I, too, have ed degrees and experience and get nervous sometimes about teaching my rising Kindergarter. I think sometimes the more training you have, the more expectations you have and, thus, the more anxious you get. as I let my training and traditional teacher mind and ways go, I become more relaxed and successful with homeschooling, giving my children what they could NEVER have at school around us: a true opportunity to follow their interests, the presence and love of their parents during the day and many opportunities to play — because play IS learning at their ages… Glad you found something that works for you.
Reading was one of the things I worried about the most with my son when we started homeschooling. And we struggled together to find the best way to teach him. I may have to look into hooked on phonics before my daughter reaches that age. I wonder if it will be easier than what we did before.
That is great to know that it really works! Love hearing about something very successful for kids. I bet it has been wonderful now that he loves reading!
My third son learned to read with an older version of HOP. I sold it before moving to Alaska last year as the babe has a few years before needing it. However, I plan to get a newer edition when he’s ready to learn as it worked so well.
A wonderful post. Our first son started to read at three years old, but our second son refused to even begin reading until he was eight. At first, I just didn’t know where to begin to help my little guy. But with patience, consistency, and love he finally grasped reading and fell in love with books. (Having no TV other than PBS also helped a great deal!)
Our boys are now teenagers. Looking back, I am so glad to have put forth the effort to help our second son master reading skills during our home schooling. He now reads constantly and loves, loves, loves real literature. He’ll even tackle Victorian literature without any hesitation.
While you’re teaching your children, don’t fear! Little by little the doors will open and at the right time. Your efforts will be blessed!
Angie, I will be linking back to your post. It’s scheduled for 2/1. God bless!
Teaching reading can be stressful. It is interesting to hear you like about Hooked on Phonics. I have always wondered about it.