Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Reading Reflex

Reading Reflex

A friend recommended this book for reading.  I started using it and really like it.  I took my older kids through it as a review and started my younger ones on it.  I started my 5 year old and the 3 year old wanted some of the action. 

Guess what?...My 3 year old is in the beginning developing stages of reading. 

How & Why?

It is different from the traditional style of teaching reading...
    
Traditional (one method): learn the sounds (and or letter names at the same time-many programs have you learn the names of the letters before you even start to learn the sounds of the letters).  After learning/mastery then you apply what you have learned.  Here is a problem with this system...you have to learn all the letters before applying.  You can't move on till you learn all 26 letters.

Reading Reflex: the child learns letter sounds in smaller sets and then applies what they have learned right away.  Example: learn c, a, t, f, m.  Learn 5 sounds and then you can make...at, cat, fat, mat, fam (for family...my 5 year old figured this one out).  They can be reading after a few short practice sessions.  They also learn their sounds based on "sound pictures."  Which gets them reading faster (because they cut out the middle man-less steps/processing).

The reading reflex system uses flash cards (can be homemade) and a few reading selections.  At first I was stand-offish because I was trained in traditional style.  Once I got into the program I loved it.  I will never go back!

I am VERY happy with the program!!!  Remember...I'm a trained teacher and one of my passions is curriculum.  I've studied, reviewed, and looked at quite a bit of programs.  This one is simple, easy to use, easy to do, and quick to get the kids going and excited.

This is not necessarily a FREE curriculum resource.  Maybe you can find this resource at your local library.  You can also find excellent prices on ebay.  I borrowed from a friend so for me it was free (thanks Kami)!


Thanks Meredith for the recommendation!

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