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|  | Authors: Siegfried Engelmann, Phyllis Haddox, Elaine Bruner
Publisher: Fireside
List Price: $22.00
Buy Used: $6.98
as of 11/23/2009 13:59 CST details
You Save: $15.02 (68%)
New (52) Used (92) Collectible (5) from $6.98
Seller: raeofsunlight
Rating:  524 reviews
Sales Rank: 1079
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Pages: 395
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 10.8 x 8.3 x 1
ISBN: 0671631985
Dewey Decimal Number: 372.41
EAN: 9780671631987
ASIN: 0671631985
Publication Date: June 15, 1986
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: pages are in excellent condition
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 21-25 of 524
 Excellent program for my 5 year old son September 21, 2009
Mommy of Three (California)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I began this program with my son in January '09 and finished it in May '09. He had just turned 5 in November. He knew his letters and letter sounds already, but he knew nothing about reading. We sat at the kitchen table every night for 15-20 to complete a lesson. It was a lot of fun and he and I both enjoyed that special time together where we focused on his reading lesson.
The first lessons are so easy and simple. He had to get used to the funny way he had to say certain sounds (he got the giggles a few times). The lessons are so subtle in their changes that he never noticed when he was moving on to a new concept.
I love how the font starts out very large, and then slowly gets smaller as you move through the lessons. He was so excited once we reached the lessons that had a picture to go with them. It was always a fun reward to read the story, and then finally get to have the picture revealed.
The lessons truly did take only 15-20 until the later lessons. Once we got into the 70's, some of the lessons took longer, one or two even took closer to an hour to get through. But they seemed to even out again and by the end we were back to about 20 minutes of time per lesson.
I would recommend to parents that if you feel like your child didn't fully grasp a new concept in a lesson, don't worry, because that same concept will be reviewed several more times in subsequent lessons. Your child will eventually get it if you keep on with the lessons. Be patient with your child and encourage them as they go.
My son was so proud when he finished lesson #100! What a big accomplishment for a five year old! He was so happy when the lesson ended, and then he fondly went back through the book, re-reading some of his favorite stories.
I really like the DISTAR reading method. The special alphabet is so smart and works amazingly well. The book eventually weans the child from the special alphabet. Again, the weaning takes some time, so be patient and realize that they won't be weaned in just one lesson. It will take several lessons to convert to the regular alphabet.
Another feature I like in this book are the suggestions at the end for how to continue your child's reading education. We followed the recommendations and I taught my son more sound combos. Then we followed the reading list at the back of the book. You are encouraged to write out all the irregular or challenging words from these books and practice them with your child. Then you read the new book to them, and after that, they read it to you. We were able to find 15 out of 20 of the books at our library, so we went through them in order, at our leisure. The books start out very small and easy, with just a few words per page. My son loved this because he was reading real books. By the end, he was reading Dr. Seuss books, Little Bear books, and Magic Tree House books.
Today, he loves reading! He reads books on his own, and often, and loves reading out loud to his family. It has been wonderful watching the world of reading opening up to him. I highly recommend this book and plan on using it with my younger son and daughter someday.
NOTE: I do recommend that the parent read each lesson before teaching it. After my son and I finished a lesson, I would excuse him from the table, and then I would read through the next lesson and make sure I knew what was coming. I'm glad I did this, because I found several typos in the book that could have affected how I read the lessons to him (most of the typos were in the first 20 lessons or so, but there are a few near the end as well). The book relies on special colors and bolding to help the parent know what to say and what to have the child say. Just read through all of it carefully, and also consult the table at the front of the book often to make sure you are saying the correct sounds for the letters and combos you are teaching!
A Great Book! So Glad I Got It September 17, 2009
Jaynee (South Carolina)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I originally bought this book for my daughter last year when she was about to start kindergarten. My hope was to have her do the book along with what she was learning at school so that she'd get the benefit of learning to read both at home and at school. Unfortunately, at age 5 my daughter was NOT ready to do this book. What made it difficult was that her kindergarten teacher was teaching her to read BY SIGHT - whereas this book places the emphasis on phonics. As such, she spent most her time GUESSING at the words rather than learning the sounds of the letters and how they work together. So we put the book away.
A couple months later, my 4-year-old son expressed an interest in learning to read. I brought out the book and went through a couple lessons with him. He already knew all his letters and could write them on a piece of paper and say their sound, so he was a step ahead of the game. He took to this book like a fish to water. From lesson 1 to lesson 97 (which he just finished tonight) he has learned every phonics concept and retained it. As such, he can see a word such as "polycarbonate" and sound it out (slowly, but he can do it).
My son started kindergarten a few weeks ago and is far ahead of his classmates when it comes to reading. His new favorite pastime, now that reading has truly "clicked," is to say a word and then try to spell it out loud. This book was definitely the catalyst for him and he LOVES reading.
As for my daughter, she continues to struggle with reading and doesn't enjoy it at all. I think it's because of the enforcement of sightreading in kindergarten, which I am vehemently against now that I've seen her struggles. She'll see a word that has a "L" at the beginning and a "T" at the end and just begin guessing until she gets it right. "Lift" becomes "lost" or "love" becomes "lane" - but we're slowly bringing this book back into her nightly reading, trying to teach her the same concepts that her brother has learned. I just hope it's not too late for her to gain that love of reading that I have, and her brother has.
I HIGHLY recommend this book - but only for children that are not also being bombarded with sightreading methods. This is a PHONICS book - and a good one at that. Also, make sure your child is truly ready and willing because the book requires WORK - not just a passing few minutes here and there.
Teach Your Child to Read September 11, 2009
Sue K. (Saylorsburg, PA)
So far, my son and I are on lesson 24 and he's sounding out 3 and 4 letter words. I was considering home-schooling my son and wanted to just give this book a try to see how things went. We started at the end of July since he was to start kindergarten this fall. It's really rewarding to know that you are teaching your child such an important skill! He is doing really well, but I have realized that I don't personally have the patience to home-school, but am enjoying our little journey together. The book makes it so easy, you're pretty much reading a skit, but it works! I LOVE seeing his face light up when he reads words or accomplishes another section. The book also teaches writing and makes learning fun. I would absolutely recommend this book! The authors really have it down to a science.
Great item September 8, 2009
jen (WI)
Glad I made the purchase. Am enjoying the book with my children. Great quality and well worth the money spent.
Works even for young children September 6, 2009
J. Hanna (Indiana)
I am using this to homeschool our 5 year old, and I have our 3 yr old sit in on school time. I love how easy it is to use. The 3yr old is learning and reading along with his sister, that is how well this program works. We also reinforce with HWT, wish I had used something so easy with our older son.
Showing reviews 21-25 of 524
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