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I am so glad they are returning to phonics. Reading is not an ingrained, natural skill. So many years of kids have been screwed by teaching the holistic way. My kid is dyslexic, and watching her struggle and then go to a tutor where she learned sounds and so on was a real eye-opener. It turned her reading around. She’s not perfect, but so much better. Right then, I knew that phonics-based teaching reading is where it’s at. You can’t learn enjoy reading if you can’t make out the words.
I was so happy to read this article in the paper! YES, we need basic reading curricula! Lucy Caulkins' program was so inadequate for my Title 1 students!! Caulkins is made for middle-class students with parents who read to them and help them develop literacy skills early. I was so happy when my school switched from Caulkins to ReadyGen/Savvas. That said, I have always added other programs to fill in the gaps and provide enrichment.
I used a book called “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” when my kids were in pre-school. I wasn’t going to leave it up to chance with the whole language approach. Once they had knowledge of sounds, they quickly developed a sight word vocabulary organically. We also read to them every day, talked about the illustrations, and reread books they enjoyed several times. By the time they were in first grade, they naturally transitioned to reading chapter books on their own. One was an avid reader who was 6 years ahead by grade 6; the other was not as voracious until she joined a reading friend group in middle school, and then she made huge gains. I recommend this book to parents. It may not be for everyone, and it may seem old fashioned, but I have no regrets.
'Bout time Caulkins came to a reckoning! I am so glad to see the renewed interest in phonics and other basic reading skills. I was happy when you school dropped Caulkins and her "natural reader" BS!