Can anyone suggest good phonics games or programs that will help me teach my Kindergarten son how to read? He is learning sight words in school, and slowly starting to read other words. When he reads to me, I nag--constantly remind--him to "sound it out". Only today he told me that he's not really learning the sounds in school. I know phonics and have always been an advanced reader, but I am a POOR teacher without some sort of program for us to follow. Is Hooked on Phonics really the best, or is there something else you've found to be helpful?
Also, my son loves to go to the library and be read to, but now we need to find the books that he can read. Which books are these? We are in the St. Louis County Library system, and our library doesn't have a designated section of books for "Emergent Readers". (If they do, I can't find it.)
I am a certified elementary and Special Education teacher and would highly reccommend the Leap Frog videos. They are called "The Letter Factory," "The Talking Words Factory," and "The Code Word Caper." My son is 2 1/2 and knows the sounds of most of the letters. They sell them at Target and are about $10. Any of the "Hooked on Phonics" videos are good, as well.
My almost 6 year old loves the Leapster and Leap Pad books & cartridges. Circuit City carries them reasonably priced. My son is is kindergarten and is reading on a first grade level. The books were origninally purchased for our daughter, she is 2 1/2 years older than than our son. He took to them and I don't think she ever used them because he was always engrossed with them. He has adhd so to have something that holds his attention is really great.
I had the same problem with my son. I homeschool both of my children and he just did not want to try. I finally got the hooked on phonics for him and he liked it because he got to play games on the computer and he picked it up fairly quickly from that. (I'd say in about 2-3 weeks) After that I was able to get him back on the curriculum I had and he did much better. You just have to find out what will work with your child's learning style-visual, hands-on, hearing. Hooked on Phonics caters to all of these and I would highly recommend it.
I too am in the st louis area and it doesnt seem to get any easier as they get older. My son did not get along with his kindergarden teacher and I wish I had held him back. He missed out on so much that year due to the klash in characters. He is behind in reading still. At least 2 or more grade levels. I am no spead reader, but I get frustrated with him too as he doesn't try to sound it out. I will check back for suggestions others have.....
You're right, they don't teach a lot of phonics rules in school. We have used "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" with a lot of success.
