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.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful phonics instruction book!!
Review: I have used several different phonics instructions books and this is my absolute favorite. It is simple to use and systematically covers all necessary phonics skills. Because the supplemental information for parents/teachers is in the back section of the book, the pages are uncluttered and will therefore be easier for beginning readers. Also, there are no illustrations which might encourage children to guess at words rather than reading them. This book can be used for readers on a variety of levels. It is easy to adjust the pace for a child who is already reading some when you begin using Alpha-Phonics. I recommend that you use it in conjunction with the "Bob Books" sets of books for beginning readers. They are adorable little readers which begin with very simple words and gradually progress by adding one or two new sounds in each small book. They are somewhat expensive, but are definitely worth the money. Particularly if you have a struggling reader, these books will quickly build self-confidence in reading.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful phonics instruction book!!
Review: I have used several different phonics instructions books and this is my absolute favorite. It is simple to use and systematically covers all necessary phonics skills. Because the supplemental information for parents/teachers is in the back section of the book, the pages are uncluttered and will therefore be easier for beginning readers. Also, there are no illustrations which might encourage children to guess at words rather than reading them. This book can be used for readers on a variety of levels. It is easy to adjust the pace for a child who is already reading some when you begin using Alpha-Phonics. I recommend that you use it in conjunction with the "Bob Books" sets of books for beginning readers. They are adorable little readers which begin with very simple words and gradually progress by adding one or two new sounds in each small book. They are somewhat expensive, but are definitely worth the money. Particularly if you have a struggling reader, these books will quickly build self-confidence in reading.
Rating:
Summary: Alpha Phonics new Kit
Review: Many of you, like me, have heard of or used the Alpha Phonics book to teach our child how to read. To provide an all around kit that encompassed everything needed noted Alpha Phonics by Blumenfeld has come out with a complete kit. In this kit you will find an introduction video tape, a beginning cassette tape, the original Alpha Phonics book, a parent/teacher book, 6 double sided cassettes, 7 sets of flashcards (including jump rings), beginners writing tablet, a letter flip book, and 11 first reader books. All in all it is quite a bit of a kit and very comparable to the well known 'Hooked on Phonics' program. I have to tell you that I prefer the Blumenfeld method of teaching phonics and reading. The letters are large print to assist with the transition to staring at the printed letter. The way the program flows is natural to the whole reading progress and easily picked up on by most new readers. If you feel comfortable with your skills, have a decent set of phonics flashcards (alphabet w/blends) I would suggest you only needing the main Alpha Phonics book. If you want all the supplemental goodies, and would feel more comfortable with a completely laid out program, then get the whole kit. I know that the cost for the entire kit is a bit high and I hope to see the price come down a bit. Even still, with the higher price, I would recommend the Alpha Phonics method over other reading programs. I also realize that some of the profits go to assist with reading programs in various places. Alpha Phonics can be used with new readers, remedial readers, adults, and those new to English. Because of the variety in application, this program can be used with just about anyone who is learning to read or lacking in good phonics skills. I have spoken with the marketing director for this program and she has told me some wonderful things that their company is doing. In LA County they are placing these kits with teens that are in trouble. Finding that most of these children's problems in school come from a poor ability to read, let alone stay caught up in a class. Once they learn proper phonics and their reading levels come up, they build a new respect for themselves and begin to see success in their schoolwork. I give hats off to Literacy Unlimited for all their efforts to assist kids in trouble. What it all boils down to is this - can you teach your child to read with this program? The answer most undoubtedly is this - YES! Whether you use the mainstream book, which has been used by so many homeschoolers for 15 years, or prefer the whole program, this is a wonderful reading program. We tried ABeka's reading program which was a front-end method...ba, be, bi, bo, and bu. Then, we tried the Bob Jones reading program, which is what I call a rear end method...Ben, den, hen, men, and pen. Both ways are good but my daughter needed a combination approach. She also needed the larger print to focus her eyes like Alpha Phonics provides. Please check this book out at your local library or take a look at it when the next homeschool convention comes to your town. If you want just the main book, I would get it from AMAZON now as I was told they will no longer sell just the book alone anymore. Visit Home Crusaders at: http://members.aol.com/usteach
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for visually oriented learners
Review: My son opened the book and said the alphabet then started to sound out the words on the next page. He has just turned six and we have been working on his alphabet and the sounds of letters. This book is helping him put together what he knows to make him a reader! He is very motivated and proud of himself. I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to help their child learn to read especially if the child is a visual type learner.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tool for anyone learning or teaching reading.
Review: This book presents a very simple logical approach to reading. It can be used if you know your alphabet or are just learning it, beginning to read or just behind the level you need to be at. Spelling, writing and reading are all rolled into one basic easy lesson. You begin reading two letter words the first day and within in months are reading words like "gymnasium". Can easily be adjusted to any learning speed or age. Everyone that has borrowed it from me has been just as pleased as I have been and has been searching for an outlet for it, until now.
Rating: 
Summary: Not too bad, but get Glenn Doman's books
Review: This is not too bad for beginners, but if you want a true method that will change your children's future forever, don't hesitate to read all of Doman's books, starting with "How to teach your baby to read", and following with the Math book and the Physical book. Believe me, the difference is huge, and if you are going to invest time on your children, do it right the first time.
Rating:
Summary: Not too bad, but get Glenn Doman's books
Review: This is not too bad for beginners, but if you want a true method that will change your children's future forever, don't hesitate to read all of Doman's books, starting with "How to teach your baby to read", and following with the Math book and the Physical book. Believe me, the difference is huge, and if you are going to invest time on your children, do it right the first time.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a favorite in our family!
Review: We are currently teaching our fifth son to read using Alpha-phonics. We used Alpha-phonics to teach each of his older brothers as well. We can't say enough good about this book! It is easy to use and inexpensive. It introduces easy sentences right away, which is a great motivator. We have found that it works best for us to use Alpha-phonics alone at first, and then later add some phonics flash cards. (We use Romalda Spaldings phonogram cards.) This combination is all we have ever needed. We've been homeschooling now for 9 years, and with most subjects we find that one child loves one curriculum, and the next child hates it and needs something else for his different learning style. Alpha-phonics is the only book that everyone has loved! I highly recommend it.
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