Explode the Code - Not a Good Fit

We used Explode the Code Books 1 & 1 1/2 for Kindergarten from June 2010-March 2011.

Likes: Covers a lot of material, helps with spelling, handwriting and phonics.

Dislikes: Some difficult pages in the workbook for Kindergarten level. The pictures they used to go with the words were confusing.

I wanted to love ETC because of all of the great reviews I had read about it. It just wasn't the right fit for my 5 year old son. We used book 1 and 1 1/2 for teaching phonics during his kindergarten year and he struggled to do some of the workbook pages -- finding the pictures especially confusing. I think if the pictures were clearer it might not have been so much of a struggle. I had to explain what every single picture was trying to depict so that he could do the pages provided in the workbook. This curriculum does cover a lot of material but it might be difficult to allow your child to work independently.

Systematic and Multi-Sensory

by Laurie
(Hull, IA USA)

Levels 1-3

Likes:
-systematic
-encourages sounding out
-encourages student to write what they hear
-uses visual cues

Dislikes:
- maybe too many pages on the same concept?

Explode The Code Online

by Tracy
(Lawton OK)

Product: Explode the Code Online
Subject: Phonics
Levels Used: Books 2-4
Dates Used: 2010-2011

Likes: Very thorough. I like the mastery approach of online with repetition until quick and correct... vs. the once through the workbook page, never look on it again of the workbooks. My son could look at the workbook pages, know what to do, do it... and not know why/what he did 1 day later. He needs it deep. And his reading levels/decoding abilities have really taken off...without my help very much!

Dislikes: I think the program is fine. It is just the "right" level of hard though to where my son doesn't really WANT to do it! But then again, what 6 year old WANTS to put forth effort lol?

Awesome Supplement to Any Program!

by Vicki
(Archie, MO)

Levels Used: From Get Ready to book 6
Dates Used: 2004-2011

Likes: Very awesome supplement to any phonics program. Even with out the teacher's manuals very easy to use. We love these books! We use them as spelling in the early years as well.

Simple, Easy and Independent

by Carmen
(FL USA)

Levels Used: Books A,B,C-Book 7
Dates Used: 2001-present

Likes: Here is another homeschool product that I have used with all of my 5 children.

#1 The books are simple and easy to use. You don't really need a teacher's guide.

#2 The child can use them independently for seat work. Just 2 pages a day helps reinforce phonics rules and spelling. And there is also lots of review in all the books

#3 My children enjoy them and they are low cost!

Dislikes: My only dislike is that there are no more books after Book 8.