J&J Readers

I use the J&J readers in my private practice. They are sequential and cumulative which means the words used in each booklet are based on phonetic concepts that are introduced in a particular order. Consequently, the stories in the earlier books are relatively simple. But not “See Spot run.” simple. I still start with the earlier books to be sure there are no gaps or misconceptions in the foundation. And I tell my older students that I am starting with these earlier books so that I can be sure that nothing is missing because it would be like building a brick wall with some of the bricks missing. It isn’t going to be solid when we add new bricks (sound/symbol relationships) later.

While the stories in the earlier booklets may be simple, the characters in all of the stories are a group of teenagers who interact with each other in various situations and combinations, and the storylines become more sophisticated quickly. One story I can think of deals with how some of the girls treat a new girl at school. Another story deals with how one of the girls helps a friend (who comes from a low income family) with his homework. I have seen “babyish” stories in regular 2nd and 3rd grade books written with what I consider more difficult words. The story is simple, but the are words not. Just because a book has a simple storyline doesn’t mean it is easy to read, and just because a storyline has decodable, readable words doesn’t mean it’s a “babyish” story.

These books are beneficial to all students with reading difficulties. What differentiates a student with “reading delays” from a “special ed.” student?
They both have the same problem…difficulty processing the written word. Learning disabled students are of normal or above normal intelligence. That is why they are called learning disabled. They are not achieving their potential. They are very capable of learning, but need to be taught with a different method. LD really means “learning difference”.

Hope I’ve been some help.

L. Starr

I use the J & J readers as supplementary reading. I also have Wilson, SRA and Language! My students are 4th and 5th graders (we are a year - round school). Last week, in desperation with my three new Hispanic students who have such language difficulties in BOTH English and Spanish, I put J & J Reader # 1, 2, & 3 in their hands because they wanted reading homework in books! Not only could they read them with their limited words, but the pictures are really for older students. I also like the questions after each story that contains both content questions and questions to help hook the story to the experiences of the readers.

How can I order or see a sample page of some of these books? Is there a website? How much do they cost?