I'm going to give you my bottom line first on this one. If you love the idea behind Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons but would prefer that it had all the bells and whistles of Saxon Phonics -- then Rocket Phonics is perfect for you. If you hate the idea behind 100 Easy Lessons, or you hate extra accessories like flash cards, games, etc then you will not want Rocket Phonics.
So what exactly is this idea I keep referring to. The basic gist of it is this. You start out by teaching your child a different symbol for every single sound. So, the long a looks different then the short a, the soft c looks different then the hard c, and etc. Then a certain period of time after each sound symbol is introduced, you wean the child off of the special symbol and reteach them that an a can make many different sounds.
To me, this seems counterproductive. Those who use the method love it though. I have heard that you either love this method or hate it. I am definitely in the latter category. Had I known that this method was employed in Rocket Phonics, I would never have requested this product sample. However, I know that Rocket Phonics will work really well for some. To get a better idea whether or not it will work for you, you can check out the other reviews at the TOS Homeschool Crew blog.
Here's what's included: 2 Student/Teacher Books, Bingo Game Sheets and Chips, Play and Read Cards, and Big Movement Games. Cost is $160.
For perspective on what I like and don't like about phonics programs I have used with the three reading children I currently have. I used Saxon Phonics and loved that it was scripted, but hated all the extra busy work and classroom style games. I used 100 Easy Lessons and loved that it was scripted but hated the "weird" notation, I finally settled on Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading (Peace Hill Press) which is scripted, simple, and straightforward. I skip the first 26 lessons, and use Get Ready, Get Set, Go For the Code workbooks to teach the beginning alphabet sounds. I then continue to augment Ordinary Parents Guide with Explode the Code, alternating between the ETC workbooks and Ordinary Parents Guide and they compliment each other really nicely. I have now also used Rocket Phonics, albeit breifly. It also is scripted and as you can see that's a big plus in my book. I just can't get past the method. I have found that sometimes knowing what works for others tells you exactly why it will or will NOT work for you. Rocket Phonics might just be perfect for you! I hope this review gives you some insight.
Thanks for the explanation. I had looked at the website prior to reading your review and was quite disappointed. We are currently using Spell to Write and Read and it makes much more sense to me.
The bottom line is; We try not to insist on parent-led learning or gravitate toward child-led learning. We try instead to focus on God-led learning and ask for His input and perspective on every aspect of our home school. That way, when others fuss about what Dan and I are doing and make me second guess our decisions -- I can go back to our decision process and find God's fingerprints, reminding me that this is His way.
