Learning to read has been a struggle for Z. We're not sure if it was his delayed speech when he was 2 ½ years old (from a 60 decibel hearing loss due to fluid in his ears) or just a hurdle he was going to need to jump. This year it seems he is climbing the mountain successfully and is making his way to the summit. I couldn’t be more proud. He knows it’s a lot of work for him, but he wants it. Bad. And that makes being this kids teacher so rewarding.

He and Little Miss are using the same approach to reading, which is a mix and match of 'programs'. In my research of various programs, I realized I needed to take a different direction to teaching Z phonics. We still use Phonics Pathways which they are reading from in the pictures below. It's systematic. I like that.

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Each day S & Z read a few pages and I dictate words and phrases for them to write out. It's a quick 15 minutes, but effective.

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I am using All About Spelling like a reverse approach to phonics. (Thanks Lis' for the tip on this program.) All About Spelling really made reading click for Z.  He is memorizing the spelling rules and all the possible consonant and vowel (English) sounds. Both he and Little Miss build words using the letter tiles and then at the end of the week I give a written spelling test to Z. The multi sensory approach is the key to this programs success for our family.

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Next, I’ll share why I love this sight word book. Or rather, why they love it. That's even better.