RAQ: What do you use to teach reading?

I have absolutely loved using The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading.

Not only does it WORK (and it works VERY well and quickly!), but they are short, concise, and no-frills.  I have found that my kids get too caught up in flashy programs with sound, colors, stickers, illustrations, etc.  They need something focused and sequential.  OPGTR is just that.
The only supplies I have needed for this book have been a pen, some index cards, and either a sheet of paper every now and then or a dry erase board and marker.  That’s it!  None of that is even really required, but they can be helpful (especially for some of the “games” they suggest in the book).
There are well over 200 lessons in the book, and by the time the lessons are completed, your child will be on a 4th grade reading level.
The author recommends doing lessons at least every other day and I do agree to a point.  However, my daughter had reached a burn out point a few months ago, so we took some time off.  I made sure she kept up with reading books of her choosing on and a little above her level and she really excelled.  Now when we do the lessons, she “gets” it again and really loves doing them.  Sometimes it’s sort of challenging, but she thrives on it.
My son has started with Lesson 1 so far!  He, like my daughter, has asked to learn to read right after turning 4.  I am going to try it out with him for sure!  The first few lessons go over the letters and their sounds, so it starts out fairly slowly.
Another thing I love about this book is that I can use it for all of my children… nothing else to buy.  I also really like the fact that it tells me exactly what to say to my children, what to show them, what I may need to write down for them, etc.
This is hands down my favorite program!  I have looked at and tried several different programs and this one is the winner! 🙂
I hope you’ll check it out too!  You could “try before you buy” by seeing if your library has a copy!