kitchen table math, the sequel: Direct Instruction reading programs

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Direct Instruction reading programs

I've been reading the DI listserv, and wanted to get these programs logged some place where I can find them:

funnix.com (apparently a "sequel" to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons)
I have used both 100 Easy Lessons and Funnix with dozens of children...Recently, Funnix.com has developed and marketed a Mastery Assessment book to help determine that a child has really mastered the previous 10 lessons. The book contains remedial lessons to implement if a child is not at mastery on each test. It has really been helpful to me this year.


Reading for All Learners
...another "program" worth honorable mention is Alan Hofmeister's series of Little Books in the Reading for All Learners series. the author is from U of O & mentions zig in his credits of his earlier preceeding reading series which predates the little books. very inexpensive excellent phonics series. i can't personally attest to its remediation capabilities like i can to funnix/Horizons & RM. but it is a very sequential program with strict mastery criteria posted at the bottom of each page, and there is an online placement test. each book is doene in correct sequence.


headsprout

3 comments:

PaulaV said...

My kindergartener uses Headsprout and loves it! In a recent conference with his teacher, his PALS test (a Virginia reading assessment) went up 27 points.


--PaulaV

Catherine Johnson said...

wow!

Fantastic!

PaulaV said...

Thanks! His school's reading program consists of guided reading and word study. I think this may be balanced literacy?
His teacher was unaware of Headsprout or Reading Mastery. She is currently getting a masters in Curriculum and Instruction, whatever that means.

I find it strange that she has no idea how to help my 5 1/2 year old follow directions. (First, the third grader, now my kindergartener.) Exactly what is she learning in the way of instruction?

I figure if she couldn't/wouldn't help him with directions...she certainly couldn't/wouldn't help him with learning to read.

Her motto: "I don't understand the word can't." Scary.

--PaulaV