Kindergarten curriculum questions

[Caroline Fuerte]

I am homeschooling my son through your kindergarten curriculum, and have several questions re: the phonics program:
-Right now, we are nearing the end of Book B, and I was wondering why the program waits so long before introducing more rules so that the child can begin reading faster. I would have thought that by this stage, he would've been able to read a lot more than he can. I went to the library and looked at little 'pre-reading' and 'level 1' reading books, and realized that my son wouldn't even be able to read these books yet, as, apart from a few sight words, he is still sounding out all words that he sees.
- Looking at the teacher's guide, I see that it isn't until the end of Book C, that Classical Phonics is used regularly. Can you please explain the best way to use this book in teaching your child?
- I am sure that you realize this by now, but the page references for Classical Phonics are all off in the teacher's guide. Do you have an updated list that has the correct page references?
- By the end of week 33, what proficiency of reading can I expect in my child?

thank you very much,
Caroline

[MamaBee]

I was also wondering about the incorrect page numbers for Classical Phonics. Is there a correct list we can have??

CAN ANYONE ANSWER THIS QUESTION???

[Lizzy]

As a librarian, I know that most library books considered beginning readers are actually more challenging than what would your child would be doing in Book B. I wouldn't be concerned that your child can't read them yet.

I would both check out books from the library and read them together, with you doing as much of the reading as needed, and also look into books specifically written for children just starting to read such as Modern Curriculum Press Phonics Practice Readers or A Beka's Little Books. Most libraries don't carry these phonics readers because they are "curriculum materials" and not trade books. Some libraries do have Bob books in their collections, though, and these would be good for your child.

If you continue following the Memoria Press Curriculum into 1st grade, your child will be ahead of what a library (and a public school) would consider the 1st grade reading level. By 2nd grade your child would be far ahead of the 2nd grade level. Right now you are just building the foundation for greater gains ahead.

[tanya]

Caroline,

You are getting good advice here from Lizzy. As long as your student is making progress, you are on the right path. Some children seem to just read without effort, and others require slower-paced intentional phonics work. But they all get to the same place in the end. I found this out the hard way. My oldest son just read, and I thought I was doing a fine job as a parent! Then, when my youngest son was 4, I started expecting the same thing to happen, and it didn't. He needed lots of help, and we took it slower - and it was a good lesson in humility for me!

You are right about the page numbers being off in Classical Phonics. If you will email your shipping address to me, I'll get a corrected curriculum guide right out to you.

We use CP as a supplement to the phonics program. The students read the word lists as they are working on specific concepts in their FSR and SRA lessons as a reinforcement - to help them gain mastery. We use CP through the 2nd grade as students continue to work on phonics concepts even after they are reading fluently.

I apologize for my delayed response! I've been traveling to a homeschool convention and had internet issues while there.

Regards,

Tanya Charlton
tanya@memoriapress.com

[tanya]

MamaBee,

I apologize that your post wasn't answered sooner! I have been in South Carolina for the Southeast Homeschool Convention, and I had terrible trouble with the internet (I'm sure some of it was due to sheer technological incompetence on my part!).

If you will email your shipping address to me, I'll get a new curriculum guide right out to you. I'm sorry for this frustration with page numbers. I do think we have it corrected now.

Regards,

Tanya Charlton
tanya@memoriapress.com