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Summary: This method really works
Review: As a homeschooler, I have looked at many different approaches to teaching reading. This one really works. If you have been told your child is dyslexic or otherwise reading disabled, you really must take a look at this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The best phonics program!
Review: As a phonics tutor and as the Virginia Director for the National Right to Read Foundation, I have used many programs over the years. Phonics Pathways is the best! The practice sentences are 100% decodable and it teaches blending - features not usually included in other programs. It is complete, contains all spelling rules, is very affordable, and easy to use. You can buy the book and start teaching the same day. I had no idea how to teach phonics, yet in about six weeks my 3-1/2 and 5-year-old children were reading and spelling. I always recommend Phonics Pathways - it is my favorite program! -- Sandra S. Elam, Tutor and Virginia Director, The National Right to Read Foundation
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Summary: Has helped a lot.
Review: First, here's our situation: we have a son who is 5 years old. We limit his TV (by not having one), and we read to him incessantly. He really loves books. He clearly has an aptitude for reading. About 8 months ago, I bought this book. At that point, he was attempting to read on his own. He would do fine usually, but often, he would just guess something that wasn't even close -- it was clear he had some words memorized, but with other he looked at how it began and ended, then just guessed a word. While this book may not exactly be turnkey (it took a tiny bit of adaptation to make it work), he started looking forward to impromptu lessons. Within a couple weeks, the difference in his approach was noticeable -- there was a marked improvement. He is starting kindergarten in the fall, and our best guess is that he is now reading somewhere between a second and a third grade level. The bottom line is that this book really works.
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Summary: Complete, Simple, Effective!
Review: Having no experience whatsoever, the thought of teaching my 5-year-old son to read was a little intimidating to say the least. We started from scratch; my son hadn't yet learned the letter sounds, and "his" alphabet had 2 'R's and no 'N'. That was three months ago, and he is now reading simple books. I am truly excited about his progress! When I expressed surprise at how easily he learned the long 'a' sound, he said "reading lessons are always easy for me!" The pages of PP have large print for young eyes, and are uncluttered. Simple pictures add interest without distracting. There is review built into each page, so kids will retain what they have learned. It is so complete that we won't need any additional or supplimental phonics materials. The book also gives simple suggestions for organizing your lesson times. We spend only 10 minutes per lesson (unless my son wants to do more!) It is the most complete program I have seen, and the cost can't be beat!
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Summary: The best phonics book for children, BY FAR!!!
Review: I can't say enough about how superbly good this book is. I've taught two kindergarten-age children to read with this book; by the time they entered first grade they were at the "top of their class." I've looked through all the "modern" phonics and reading books for all levels at the major bookstores, and there's absolutely nothing that comes even close in its ability to allow a parent to really teach a child to read. Working through a page or two a day with your child is all it takes, and before long your child will be able to read ANYTHING -- and you'll probably learn some things you didn't realize about English pronunciation as well!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't get this for your young child.
Review: I got this because it was so highly recommended by the authors of "The Well-Trained Mind (TWTM)." I have since realized that TWTM isn't always going to be a reality for all people. Not all children, particularly the preschooler, learn the same way. The ladies who wrote TWTM seem to learn well with basic, no-frills approaches. It's no wonder that a classical approach, and straightforward books like this one would appeal to them. But this dry method does not work for all. As a homeschooling mother with quite a bit of experience, and from listening to others, I now know that this book would not be suitable for most preschoolers. It's more suited for remedial and older learners, and for those who thrive on a no-frills, "just tell me and I know it" kind of approach.
This book did not work on my children - even though they both have completely different learning styles and approaches. My children absolutely hate this book and groan every time they see it.
My other problem with this book is that it takes the letter-ladder approach (be, bi, ba, bo, bu), as opposed to the word family approach (bat, mat, fat, cat). The ladder approach to phonics builds words from the front. The word family approach is considered to be linguistically superior for learning English, apparently corresponding to syllabification of words. All I know is it makes sense to me and to most of us. Try as I might, I just cannot get comfortable with the front-end approach of PP.
Just be cautious, Phonics Pathways does not work for all children, especially young ones. It would be better used as a reference for a child when they hit the age of six or seven. And that's just a maybe.
Rating:
Summary: Great for readers and non-readers alike
Review: I have a second grader and a 4 year old preschooler. My older child showed an interest in reading when she was in preschool, but I had no idea how to teach her. I let her learn with the other kids in public school. She eventually began to read halfway through first grade and even helped other struggling kids. However, when she entered second grade, some of the material she was given she did not understand. "Underline the words with the short a sound". She had no idea what a short or long sound was or WHY certain words or letters sounded like they do. I set out to find a way to help her AND to make sure that this did not happen with my preschooler. I found Phonics Pathways. The progression is simple for any age (including parents) to understand. I began in November playing the short-vowel shuffle with BOTH of my children. By January, the second grader had learned many of the rules she had not been taught and my preschooler had started to read three-letter words. I just bought her the Bob Books to practice with. I highly recommend this primer. Stick with it and do not try to move too quickly. A page or two a day is more than enough, especially for the younger child who may not have a great attention span. I am buying another one for my friend's daughter today. Enjoy!
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Summary: My child is reading finally!
Review: I have tried a dozen reading programs and spent a lot of money on them-100 Easy Lessons, Home Run Reading, computer softwares, phonics books, early readers etc. Phonics Pathways is perfect. No bells and whistles-straight drills. My son has special needs and needed something that was not too distractible and with large print. He is reading now-not just during reading time but recognizing print in normal life. I wanted something simple and did not require a ton of preparation. I also have a 3 and 2 yr olds as well and they tend to make things a little more complicated. This books is perfect for us. I wish I found it years ago. It would have save me lots of money and grief.
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Summary: I can teach; they can read!
Review: I homeschool four daughters. We began using Phonics Pathways when my eldest was five. She is a very intelligent child, and caught on quickly to the simple format in which the reading and spelling skills are presented. In half a year she has begun reading books at a much harder level than what we are studying in Phonics Pathways, and is already reading at a second grade level in the tutorial. We also use the book to teach spelling, since it includes spelling rules. My second daughter does not have her sister's knack for the written word. I hesitantly began using Phonics Pathways with her just shy of age four to teach her letter sounds and simple blending. She has also been successful with this no frills, straight-forward approach to phonics tutoring. I have even begun using it with my two-year-old to reenforce letter identification. The layout of the book allows each girl to go at her own speed, without frustration. There are adequate reviews, although you may wish to check out some of the author's support material for further reenforcement. Have a ready supply of easy readers on hand, because in a limited time your child will be able to read simple books, such as the Bob books and basic Dr. Seuss. Some children need extra stimuli (songs, etc.) to help them learn. For those that don't (and even some that do, like my second daughter) we have found that the Phonics Pathways approach offers a simple, slow and steady method that can serve as an entire phonics/spelling program, without muddling the process with too many extras. All learning types can benefit from this book. It is also an excellent boost for remedial readers, and I, as an avid reader and freelance writer, have appreciated the spelling refresher! One note: the author recommends learning to read and write each word from dictation before moving on. We found this to hinder the speed at which my first child could move along in her reading, since children naturally develop faster in some areas than others, so, although we use the book for spelling and phonics, we move her ahead in each area at different speeds. This has caused no difficulties whatsoever!
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Summary: I love this book!
Review: I love this book! Taught my oldest, now 10, how to read with it when he was 4 1/2. He liked the drawings, and he was able to read well in just a couple of months. After that, he just took off, reading Dr. Seuss books, etc. Now he is 10, and although he doesn't care for reading books all that much, he is an excellent reader and excellent speller. I will be using it with Bob Books with my 4-year old (she's already reading the Bob Books) this fall. I really like the way she explained how to break up multi-syllable words too.
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