We have a 16 year old who reads on a 3rd-4th grade level. We started homeschooling last year for many reasons. We are looking at two different reading programs this year. We would like any feedback on either program. We are considering either Phono-Graphix by Reading America or Earobics® 1
Adolescent and Adult. He is a visual learn and struggles with pen and paper type work. Any help would be greatly appreciated. There is so much out there, but it is hard to know what is best.
Thanks
Reading Programs
We did Earobics for auditory processing. It was helpful in that area but did not improve reading.
What kind of testing has he had? Have you explored visual difficulties? (Even kids who are visual learners can have visual issues when it comes to print.) You may want to explore Irlen Syndrome.
One thing we found helped my dd’s reading was to use Text to Speech programs. Many of these programs have a highlighting feature so you can highlight the word or phrase as it is being read. This can help with visual tracking and connects the word spoken to the print word.
Re: Reading Programs
I have just started using Phono-Graphix with a student I tutor. He is in 7th grade, reading on the 5th grade level. He is very intelligent and motivated.
I’m very excited with the P-G program. First, the assessment confirmed what I had suspected - that he never learned how letters represent sounds. Because he has a fantastic memory, he gets along by remembering words and guessing from the context.
I have been working with him with the P-G lessons. It’s only been 3 times so far, but I see progress in his ability to recognize sounds and to differentiate the vowel sounds.
If you do chose to try P-G, I’d be interested to read how you do with that.
regards,
ellen
Re: Reading Programs
We also did Earobics. It is not a reading program but as noted an auditory processing programming. Phonographix is a sound program which often rapidly remediates reading. It was one piece of what we did, but my son’s difficulties were complex. As your child is considerably behind, you might want to determine what underlying sensory deficits he has. Typical dificulties are auditory processing and visual processing. Some kids also have difficulty with word retrieval which also impacts reading.
Beth
Re: Reading Programs
My dd just started 3rd grade. At the end of 2nd grade she was at and of 1st grade reading, so I am not sure of this, but isn’t 4th grade reading more about comprehension than decoding? Just curious.
If so, then could he have a need for language therapy?
Kathryn
Re: Reading Programs
You said that your son was a visual learner and struggled with pen and paper projects so I am wondering, as did some of the other responders, if his reading problems go deeper than reading words. Two programs that address reading comprehension from a visual perspective are IdeaChain, [url]http://www.understandmore.com[/url], or Lindamood-Bell, [url]http://www,lindamoodbell.com[/url]. The IdeaChain website has a presentation on comprehension problems that you may find helpful.
You might be interested in reading the paper I have presented to various national and state organizations.
You can find it at http://www.learntoreadnow.blogspot.com
Contact me at [email protected] if you need any more info.
Anita learntoreadnow