Comments on: The Phonics Road~ Curriculum Review

By: Dee

Dee — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 08:07:49 +0000

In reply to Anonymous Homeschool Mama. Thanks for sharing. Please could you also provide the name of that literature analysis program you use? I really need one, especially for middle school aged kids.

By: Karyn Tripp

Karyn Tripp — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 13:41:03 +0000

In reply to Anonymous Homeschool Mama. Thank you so much for your comment! We no longer use this either, for various reasons.

By: Anonymous Homeschool Mama

Anonymous Homeschool Mama — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 22:17:53 +0000

I used this through level 2 with my older and only did a few weeks with my youngest. We were looking forward to level 3 , but issues arose between Barbara and her staff that got ugly. They weren’t helpful at all and were more concerned about being right than having a satisfied and potential lifelong customer. And at the prices they charge that’s a lot of loss of revenue. So, I stopped using it right then and after research found an even better program that is very similar and MUCH CHEAPER.
The program is call Spell to Write and Read and everything you need is in a kit for about $100! Each year you only need to spend $12/kid for new composition books that are streamlined for this program! There are only a couple small differences with the phonics rules, how to teach, and there’s no literature analysis which I think kills a love a literature. I found an ever better literature analysis program too that is super easy as well.
However, I hope you have continued progress with their program and anyone else who uses it. I have saved a lot of money by not purchasing it anymore.

By: Rebecca K

Rebecca K — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 18:37:47 +0000

Since i notice you have used both Phonics Road to Reading and Spelling as well as The Logic of English with your kids, how would you compare them? these are the 2 curriculums i am considering using with my own kids. I like that both explicitly teach the rules for phonics in a complete way and that both include writing and grammar to some extent. I have taught in the public school system for years and have issues with how all of these things are taught. The only issue I see with Phonics Road is I want to start my kids with cursive when they first learn to write, not wait until 2-3rd grade. How do these 2 products compare?

By: Jennifer Brock

Jennifer Brock — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 15:48:38 +0000

I love this curriculum!! You are right, though, it is incredibly teacher intensive! To me, it is well worth the investment. Also, you can sometimes find people selling used (or even unused) copies, which can save you a little money. But even at the full price, in my opinion it’s totally worth it!

My eldest has been through levels 1-3 and is currently on level 4 (she’s 4th grade). So, we have been doing this for a little while now. One other thing I would note that you didn’t is to not start Level 1 until 1st grade. I started my son in Kinder because he was reading and I thought he was capable. He was conceptually ready, but he wasn’t ready for the amount of work that is asked of them. He hung in there with Level 1. But it was Level 2 (in 1st grade) where I started to see him really struggle.

In my opinion, there is a big jump in the amount of work they are required to do in Level 3 compared with Levels 1 & 2, so there was no way I was going to have him do Level 3 this year (2nd grade). So, this year we are doing a review of Level 2 to make sure he really gets the concepts and then we’ll move on to Level 3 next year when he’s in 3rd. I won’t even attempt Level 1 with my other 2 until they are 1st grade.

Another piece of advice I would give is this. If you are teaching multiple children (so, you’re doing Level 1 now and you’ll be doing it every other year for a few kids), when you watch the DVD to do your prep, take copious notes in your teacher’s guide! Then, the next time you teach it, you only need to go back to the DVD if you need clarification on something. It helps a lot!

I’m curious to know if you’ve stuck with this curriculum or not.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 01:25:33 +0000

We’re using The Latin Road now for my big kids, and we adore it. I’m looking forward to getting The Phonics Road for my little ones, and starting it next year! <3 Thank you so much for the review!

By: Clarissa

Clarissa — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:16:45 +0000

Thank you for this review! We are starting our new school year January 7th and I invested in The Phonics Road for my 2nd grader and Kinder (planning to use it like you, actually… to introduce phonics to my K and to teach spelling to my 2nd grader who is very advanced in reading)… I have been nervous to get started, but praying it goes well. (I’m wishing I would’ve thought to ask about doing a review! haha)