For several weeks, it has been on my mind to share about this resource as a blog post. There are multiple resources for teaching children to read (as well as theories as to how...the best way). One of the more popular ones has been Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. But when it was time to teach my first born to read, this is what we went with:
Phonics Pathways by Dolores Hiskes was recommended the The Well Trained Mind. Fortunately, the local library had a copy of this book, and after reading about it in the Well Trained Mind, I was able to check it out and give it a test run before buying it. I had a copy of ...100 Easy Lessons, but found that it was more complicated, distracting, and time-consuming than the format of Phonics Pathways. Our 4yo is about 1/3 of the way through it and our copy is getting quite dog-eared from nearly daily use in teaching three children to read over the past 6 years. 
Phonics Pathways by Dolores Hiskes was recommended the The Well Trained Mind. Fortunately, the local library had a copy of this book, and after reading about it in the Well Trained Mind, I was able to check it out and give it a test run before buying it. I had a copy of ...100 Easy Lessons, but found that it was more complicated, distracting, and time-consuming than the format of Phonics Pathways. Our 4yo is about 1/3 of the way through it and our copy is getting quite dog-eared from nearly daily use in teaching three children to read over the past 6 years. I highly, highly recommend this book for teaching little ones to read (or for helping anyone learn to read). It is very easy to "teach" or more specifically lead the child in using. There is basically NO teacher prep and it is up to you and your child how much time you spend on it each day. We usually do a page a day, which takes from 5 to 15 minutes depending on how well she is concentrating that day and how much is on the page. It is very simple - black and white without a lot of pictures - which some might find "boring," but in my opinion, it cuts down on distractions. While there are areas of learning that we have not done the best at around here, reading is one area that has gone fairly smoothly, thanks in large part to Phonics Pathways.
Our latest and most likely last budding reader, emulating big sis:
I hopped on your blog to read about this book. I"m thinking of starting Seth on it. He turned 4 last month. I haven't decided on homeschool vs. public yet, but thought a test run of this over the Summer would be helpful for me in making that decision. Thanks!
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