systematic phonics that works

by Guinever
(Lexington, KY)

Product: Phonics Pathways and Reading Pathways
Subject: reading
Dates Used: since 2004; I'm currently teaching my third child to read using this program.

Likes: My book is all worn out because we've used this so much. This is a phonics program that works, and it is true phonics (not mixed sight reading or whole to parts like some other "phonics" programs.) It just takes 5-20 minutes a day.

The Reading Pathways (formerly Pyramid) offers extra reading practice. All my kids love when we get the pyramid book out. Each page's reading is in the shape of a triangle. One word at the top, each line getting longer and longer until the bottom of the page when there is a full one or two line sentence. This presentation of the words makes the repetition fun instead of tedious.

Delores Hiskes, author of the curriculum is especially helpful; I've e-mailed her a couple of times over the years and gotten thoughtful, thorough responses. The e-newsletters are especially helpful and the award certificates on the website are a nice touch that you can print out and give your kids when they reach reading milestones.

I HIGHLY recommend Phonics Pathways and Reading Pathways. It can be used for young children ready to begin reading and can also be used with older children who aren't reading fluently yet with other programs. I've recommended this book to several moms whose kids are in school and are struggling with reading and they have seen results.

One of the nice things about this "reading program" is that it's only $30 or less. (more if you buy both books) Compared to other phonics programs, this is hundreds dollars less and it WORKS; that's the best part.