Explode the Code Series

by Maureen
(USA)

We used Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code and Levels 1-4 of Explode the Code for phonics from 2002-2009.

Likes: I like how the Explode the Code books have simple drawings and silly sentences. My children never complained about doing their ETC work. Since each lesson has the same types of pages, once a child learns that format, they know what to do once they see the same type of page (ie which sentence goes w/ the picture worksheet, matching letters worksheet)

My favorite of the series though, are the Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code. I feel like they do a good job introducing the letters.

Dislikes:
This series does not teach the phonics rules well. It is more "assumed" that the child will grasp it via the repetition of the pages in that section. I found that my kids did not transfer what they were doing in the ETC book to other work (ie would spell duck right in the ETC but then would spell duk on a science page).
I now use ETC in conjunction with another spelling/phonics program, only doing the ETC pages that corresponds with the rule we are learning in the other series.

Independent and Inexpensive!

Levels used: 1-5
Dates used: 2006-09

Likes: I love this approach to phonics. These books are so easy to use. At a young age the child can do most of the work independently. There is continual review and building of concepts. These books really helped my daughter take off reading. I think they also build spelling skills. I will definitely use these again for my youngest. And they are very inexpensive, another plus!

Dislikes: Nothing I can think of. We loved them!

Simple and Easy to Use

by Christa
(Bath, MI, USA)

Levels Used: Primer-3
Dates Used: 2007-2009

Likes: This program taught my oldest daughter, M, now 8, to read independently at age 7. (She began with book 2 at age 6). My youngest daughter, L, is not reading yet at age 6. She completed the three primers last year and has just started Book 1. It is very helpful to us that the directions are simple, sometimes even written in rebus format, so she does not need to read well to understand what to do (absolutely necessary when teaching multiple children at multiple levels - so they don't get off track waiting for personal instruction).

L hates to write (fine motor control issues) and the limited amount of writing (we do one page per day) is all she can manage. I appreciate that the Explode the Code books have no busywork. The option for more practice is given with the #x 1/2 books. M needed this between 2 & 3 - that is where the lightbulb went on for her and she began applying what she had learned outside of just "doing phonics".

Dislikes: My children wish that at least some of the pictures were in color - personally, I'm happier with the cheaper cost of b&w.

Help with Reading and Spelling

by Bridget
(Connellsville, PA, USA)

Levels Used: Books 1 and 2
Dates Used: 2006-2009

Likes: I like the Explode the Code books. I believe they help with reading and spelling. My children have done really well with them.

Love the Primers!

by Brandee
(Texas)

We use the Explode the Code primers, books A, B and C for kindergarten at our house--we follow with book one which teaches the short vowels--it has been very developmentally appropriate.