Happily Homeschooling

The PHONICS Road to Spelling and Reading Review

Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading 

By Schola Publications

One of the reasons I was excited to be a member of the TOS Crew was the chance to experience curriculum that we hadn’t used before and to maybe find a program that would help my son’s reading skills improve. I had heard of The PHONICS Road to Spelling & Reading (PRSR) through The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, but had not taken the time to research it fully. Barbara Beers has created, in this program, an outstanding phonics “package” that instantly awakened a desire in my son to read and have fun with language arts. Several programs we’ve reviewed have been inspiring, but PRSR drew my son right in. We received level one based on Barbara’s personal assistance for us in deciding where my son should start. It was very nice to have this personal touch.

Whether it was the “Carpenter” theme with him the Apprentice and me the Foreman, or just that he had his own clipboard and binder. Whatever the reason, I was pleased to see him excited about working on language arts. Since he is in 3rd grade, he already knew his ABC’s and had basic reading skills. When we started with our review of All About Spelling and were introduced to the actual sounds of the letters his reading improved. Then, when we started with PRSR, his reading really took off. Barbara starts with the letters and sounds as in most phonics programs, but this time, we were introduced to a newer concept of first and second (and sometimes third) sounds of each letter. For example: a makes 1-ă, 2-ā, and 3-“ah”. Now when we spell a word out or sound a word out, we can say the “a” makes the 1st sound, or whichever. This has really helped. At first I wasn’t sure how it would go, but I was surprised when he started using this on his own. For example, the kids were trying out for our homeschool play and DS was practicing his lines. The word silence was causing him difficulty. So he wrote 2 next to it to remind him that it was the second sound of that letter. I always like when things finally click.

Another aspect of this program that my son really enjoys is that he gets to draw the pictures to go along with a story he has to read. It’s not supposed to be introduced until the 15th week but he discovered it as we were looking through the program when we received it. He actually asks to do his work! I was amazed and happy.

Barbara Beers has put so much into this program, it’s wonderful. A motto that is used by PRSR is “Great spellers are always great readers, but great readers are often weak spellers!”. Barbara Beers writes “This is because most curricula emphasize some level of the whole-word method to teach reading, believing that if a child can read, spelling will take care of itself. I contend that spelling is a logical preliminary skill to reading.” The emphasis of this program is placed on accurate speaking, spelling, writing, reading, grammar, and composition. This is all to prepare the student for The LATIN Road to English Grammar. You can read an introduction to the program here. , There are 4 levels to The PHONICS Road to Spelling and Reading, each adding to the previous level and ending with The Year of the Journeyman. here.

For Level One, the parent (foreman) has a binder, Construction Guide, which includes: a brief history of English which explains certain concepts of the language, a Plot Plan (comprehensive teacher training CD’s), Blueprints (weekly guide), Rule Tunes, Building Codes (rules), and Tool Drill cards (flashcards). The student’s (apprentice) binder is called the Building Manual. This includes Blueprints, Building Codes, Composition, First Readers, Handy Dandy Clipboard, Student Tool Cards, and Pencils & Pens. The scope & sequence is comprehensive and can be viewed here.

The PHONICS Road to Spelling and Reading is a product that I highly recommend. You can obtain a sample DVD here and you can view sample pages of each level by clicking on the level and scrolling down the page.

You can purchase level One, Two, & Three for $199 and level four is $229.

As I have with previous reviews, I invite you to read other Crew members reviews here.

Untitled Comment

21:54, May. 5, 2009 .. Posted by Homeschooling6

Thanks for the review.

Do you think you will use level 2? I will be starting level one in the fall with a 3rd & 2nd grader. My sister gave me her level one that she never used.

Blessings,
Linda<><

Untitled Comment

22:17, May. 5, 2009 .. Posted by amaneh

I may use level 2, I haven't fully decided yet. I am starting Latin Road with my older daughter in the fall.

We received many good products through the TOS Crew. I have to look over all that we have and then decide what is best for my son. He did like this program, though, so it ranks higher.

Thank you for posting your comment.