Rating: 
Summary: Easy to teach
Review: Approximately three days ago, I received the Alpha-Phonics textbook. I ordered it for my 1st grade son who has been in the public school system for two years and still doesn't know how to read. The school system uses sight reading. Anyway, we are already on the sixth lesson and he is slowly figuring out how to read. This book is simple to understand and very simple to teach. I love it!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: I love it, but my little girl does not.
Review: During the first few lessons my little girl loved the book. Unfortunately, around lesson 12 she started to dislike the book. She says the book is "no fun". With that said she is learning to read and spell and I find the book very easy to work with.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to teach
Review: For the low cost of $29.95, Alpha-Phonics packs more structured learning in every page than any other phonic program on the market. Its only drawback is the lack of words that have more than two syllables. Students quickly learn all the basic sounds and blends. The sentence practice is wonderful. Once again, it is available in the workbook only format. The interactive CD version of Alpha-Phonics is an exceptional companion tool. Like the book there's no music, pictures, or colors to distract the student. Several years ago I used the Alpha-Phonics system to teach an illeratate, sixteen-year-old, high school drop out to read at a sixth grade level in five months. I have no teacher training. Today, this young man is studying for his GED. I asked his school superintendent what his teachers were teaching this young man for ten years. He didn't have an answer. After I helped this young man, I started tutoring my friend's second grade daughter. When she describe the wonderful first grade program the school was using with her children, I knew the program to be whole language, based on what I had learned from reading Mr. Blumenfeld's book OBE/ THE WHOLE LANGUAGE FRAUD. In the first week of second grade the teacher recommended this girl be tested for a learning disability. The mother called me and instead of testing, we set to work tutoring her daughter twice a week. In June she was comfortable reading fifth grade material and she could sound out children's Bible stories written at the seventh grade reading level. All of her grades improved and her behavior in class improved. Today she is an avid reader. Reading teachers will love the Alpha-Phonics program because of the extensive word lists that are used for every sound and spelling combination. Children are often expected to master several different sound/spelling combinations through learning five or six words with those sounds. Alpha-Phonics takes each sound, such as `ow' as is heard in cow, and alphabetically lists every one syllable word in the English language that uses that combination. The lesson with `ee' has over seventy words. It's easy to see why Alpha-Phonics can be a reading teacher's best supplement. The sound index in the back of the book can help a teacher focus in on any phoneme problem and quickly help the student get the practice they need. The student's spelling mistakes now become the road map to direct the teacher to the phonics lessons the student failed to master. Students are always ready to learn from their mistakes. Stop the failure and frustration! Get Alpha-Phonics.
Rating:
Summary: Frugal phonics
Review: For the low cost of $29.95, Alpha-Phonics packs more structured learning in every page than any other phonic program on the market. Its only drawback is the lack of words that have more than two syllables. Students quickly learn all the basic sounds and blends. The sentence practice is wonderful. Once again, it is available in the workbook only format. The interactive CD version of Alpha-Phonics is an exceptional companion tool. Like the book there's no music, pictures, or colors to distract the student. Several years ago I used the Alpha-Phonics system to teach an illeratate, sixteen-year-old, high school drop out to read at a sixth grade level in five months. I have no teacher training. Today, this young man is studying for his GED. I asked his school superintendent what his teachers were teaching this young man for ten years. He didn't have an answer. After I helped this young man, I started tutoring my friend's second grade daughter. When she describe the wonderful first grade program the school was using with her children, I knew the program to be whole language, based on what I had learned from reading Mr. Blumenfeld's book OBE/ THE WHOLE LANGUAGE FRAUD. In the first week of second grade the teacher recommended this girl be tested for a learning disability. The mother called me and instead of testing, we set to work tutoring her daughter twice a week. In June she was comfortable reading fifth grade material and she could sound out children's Bible stories written at the seventh grade reading level. All of her grades improved and her behavior in class improved. Today she is an avid reader. Reading teachers will love the Alpha-Phonics program because of the extensive word lists that are used for every sound and spelling combination. Children are often expected to master several different sound/spelling combinations through learning five or six words with those sounds. Alpha-Phonics takes each sound, such as 'ow' as is heard in cow, and alphabetically lists every one syllable word in the English language that uses that combination. The lesson with 'ee' has over seventy words. It's easy to see why Alpha-Phonics can be a reading teacher's best supplement. The sound index in the back of the book can help a teacher focus in on any phoneme problem and quickly help the student get the practice they need. The student's spelling mistakes now become the road map to direct the teacher to the phonics lessons the student failed to master. Students are always ready to learn from their mistakes. Stop the failure and frustration! Get Alpha-Phonics.
Rating: 
Summary: Alpha-Phonics works
Review: From Peter F. Watt, President, The Paradigm Co., Inc. ofIdaho:As publisher of Alpha-Phonics a Primer for Beginning Readersthe following recent letter from a parent who used it says all that any publisher could possibly say about his own book: April 26, 1997 Dear Friends, I am writing to let you know how much we appreciate Alpha-Phonics. I bought it to use with my 6 year old last year. I had tried other curriculum with my older son, yet all programs were so much more complicated to teach and understand. In just a few minutes a day my little girl has successfully been able to learn to read! Alpha-Phonics has not only worked for my little girl, but I have also been using it for a little boy I have been tutoring. He has been "labeled" learning disabled and his teachers have just thrown him away. By the way, he first went to a local Christian School and now he is in Public School. This little boy is now learning to read; I see no difficulty at all in his learning ability! I am seeing an eager little boy learn to read when the professionals said he could not ever learn to read... by the way, I am just a mom with only I year of college! I think Alpha-Phonics works because it is straight phonics without all the Fluff! PLUS, I can now say personally that it works for all learning styles and even learning deficiencies... if there be any! I will personally be recommending this wonderful program to all families that I counsel for curriculum needs! (My husband and I lead our area support group of 250 families and serve as coordinators for our church school covering.) Well, may God continue to bless your work for Him! END
Rating:
Summary: As author this e-mail, says it all.
Review: From Samuel L. Blumenfeld, author of Alpha-Phonics a Primer for Beginning Readers: As author of the book this e-mail, received in early April 2000, says much more than I could ever say about this book: Mr. Blumenfeld: I have wanted to write you a note for some time. Many years ago, I heard you on a Radio program, talking about the evils of "sight reading." I was convinced that you were completely right about the subject. At the time, My Son was only a Baby. I coresponded with your company, and ordered "Alpha-Phonics". It was 1984. Your book was the ONLY book I used to teach Michael to read. I would like you to know that Michael has graduated from High School as a National Merit Scholar, and has accepted an Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Your book, and your educational philosophy, were key components in his education. My copy of the book was used so much, it discintagrated. So I ordered another copy, for my Daughter. She is currently in the fourth grade, and is a straight "A" student. I must report that I fought battle after battle with Mike's teachers about reading. At that time, here in California, "sight reading" was the encouraged method. When I told the teachers that I didn't want Mike to learn that way, they snickered at me. But I hung tough, stayed involved, and got my way. As you are no doubt aware, now California recognizes that sight reading is a counterproductive activity, producing a large number of people who cannot read, or, more importantly, think. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID WOULD HAPPEN. At least they teach phonics now. Mr. Blumenfeld,you are a prophet. Everything that you said would occur, in regards to sight reading, occured. When my children get married and have young ones of their own, one of the first things that they will receive is a copy of your book, "Alpha-Phonics". Thank You. Respectfully Yours: Ronald K. Vogel
Rating: 
Summary: Not too bad, but get Glenn Doman's books
Review: I am writing this so that it may help another struggling reader. Bottom line is that it helped my first grader greatly accelerate her reading skills. At two months into the school year she was tested at a level 2. Our school district standard is level 16 by the end of first grade. Her teacher said that there would be an outside chance she would be at a level 12 by the end of the school year. My daughter though bright and motivated, does not have an aptitude for reading and possibly has a slight case of dyslexia. When she tried to read she would fall into tears with frustration. Consequently she was losing interest in reading. We started this book in November spending about 30-60 minutes, 2-3 exercises per day with just reading, no writing. We finished the book in January. She then started reading other books for 30-60 minutes per day. She was tested again in February at a level 6. She has since been advancing at almost a level a week. By the end of April she was reading and comprehending level 12 books with ease. Recall that the teacher said in October she would be lucky to be at a level 12 by the end of the school year. She still has 6 weeks left in the school year. This book has made a difference because it lays a phonic foundation in an organized, comprehensive manner with exercises that continually reenforce the learnings in each lesson. Exercises in subsequent lessons review previous material so that review of previous lessons were generally not needed. It starts out very simply so that the child is not overwhelmed and immediately feels a sense of accomplishment. Read the lesson plans at the end of the book as they are helpful for the parent. After completing the book, your child will have the skills to sound out words on her own. As you go through the book with her, you will develop a common phonetic language that you can use to help her with new words and improve her phonics skills. The book can be a little dry so spicing it up a bit keeps the interest up. I'd deliberately mispronounce key words in the exercise and let her correct me. After completing this book, let your child loose to read, read, read. My daughter now enjoys reading and does so at every opportunity. The other great thing as a parent is no more tears of frustration. Is this book for you? If you and your child are motivated, this is the best...investment you will make.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best [money] you will invest.
Review: I am writing this so that it may help another struggling reader. Bottom line is that it helped my first grader greatly accelerate her reading skills. At two months into the school year she was tested at a level 2. Our school district standard is level 16 by the end of first grade. Her teacher said that there would be an outside chance she would be at a level 12 by the end of the school year. My daughter though bright and motivated, does not have an aptitude for reading and possibly has a slight case of dyslexia. When she tried to read she would fall into tears with frustration. Consequently she was losing interest in reading. We started this book in November spending about 30-60 minutes, 2-3 exercises per day with just reading, no writing. We finished the book in January. She then started reading other books for 30-60 minutes per day. She was tested again in February at a level 6. She has since been advancing at almost a level a week. By the end of April she was reading and comprehending level 12 books with ease. Recall that the teacher said in October she would be lucky to be at a level 12 by the end of the school year. She still has 6 weeks left in the school year. This book has made a difference because it lays a phonic foundation in an organized, comprehensive manner with exercises that continually reenforce the learnings in each lesson. Exercises in subsequent lessons review previous material so that review of previous lessons were generally not needed. It starts out very simply so that the child is not overwhelmed and immediately feels a sense of accomplishment. Read the lesson plans at the end of the book as they are helpful for the parent. After completing the book, your child will have the skills to sound out words on her own. As you go through the book with her, you will develop a common phonetic language that you can use to help her with new words and improve her phonics skills. The book can be a little dry so spicing it up a bit keeps the interest up. I'd deliberately mispronounce key words in the exercise and let her correct me. After completing this book, let your child loose to read, read, read. My daughter now enjoys reading and does so at every opportunity. The other great thing as a parent is no more tears of frustration. Is this book for you? If you and your child are motivated, this is the best...investment you will make.
Rating:
Summary: Great for early readers
Review: I bought this book for my 5 year old after checking it out at our local library. It has proven to be a very successful tool in teaching her to read. The format allows her to learn alot on her own. The process seems to go very quickly. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to use a phonics based system.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't live without it
Review: I have taught three children to read with this book, and am thrilled to be able to buy a plastic comb-bound version for my fourth child, which hopefully will also last through #5 and #6. Two of my children learned to read using this program between the ages of four and five, one between the ages of five and six. My current five-year-old is developmentally delayed, and so she is beginning phonics later than some of my other children, but I am confident that she will be reading some when she starts kindergarten in the fall. Forget the "Phonics Game" and "Hooked on Phonics" and all those other pricey, gimmicky phonics programs. This thirty-dollar book is ALL you need, and it will take no more than 15 minutes per day to teach any child to read. If your child does not yet recognize all letters and know all phonograms (letter sounds), you can use the printed alphabet at the beginning of the book to drill on these first. By lesson THREE of Alpha-Phonics your child will be able to read a couple of sentences and be thrilled to death with his or her progress. Alpha-Phonics is proof that the best isn't necessarily the most expensive.
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