Jonah's reading really well and he's breezing through the 100 EZ Lessons. I mean, he'll do a lesson in 2 or 3 minutes, no sounding out or anything. He does sound out long or difficult words, but those kinds of words come up in real books, not in 100EZ lessons.

So now what, I'm wondering. Does anyone have a favorite phonics-type reading program that's beyond 100EZ Lessons but is still reasonable for a 4 year old? For example, a strong writing componant would be a big negative since he really can't write much at all yet. Explode the Code? Phonics Pathways? Veritas? Yikes!

l like both Phonics Pathways and Explode the Code as a combination.

I don't have a clue.

But I read here (?) that Phonics Pathways was more comprehensive than 100 EZ Lessons so that might be a way to go. By comprehensive I mean teaching the rules and such not just teaching how to read kwim?

That said. 100EZ didn't work for ds... he ran screaming from the room after day one. He's doing fine with PP and taking it as far as he gets it when he gets it then taking a break. DD made it to something like Lesson 35 before her eyes glazed over and had no clue what they were trying to have her do so we moved back to PP. The first time we did PP with her she didn't get it. Like couldn't understand putting the 2 sounds together so we went to 100EZ. Now that we are back to PP she totally understands it and likes it much better than what was going on in 100EZ.

I used Phonics Museum after 100 EZ. In some respects it was a bit of a review at first. But Blake didn't finish 100 EZ, I think we only went to lesson 70. Phonics Museum is especially working well now that he is 1st grade. They are pretty heavy on teaching the phonics rules, which is working well for Blake.

Once my kids get the basic phonics down I just have them read a bunch. I explain any rules they haven't seen before as we find them (not many). I've been starting off with "Frog and Toad". We read together usually they read a page and then I read one. It is slow going at first but gets easier as we reach the end of the book. I just keep them reading books until they feel comfortable reading without help.

I haven't done anything yet, I just have him read. He likes starfall and StudyDog, so he gets phonics work there. I really like Phonics Museum, the look of it, but just haven't taken the plunge.

Phonics museum seems a bit... intense. But oddly enough, Veritas Academy, the school that runs Veritas Press is like 15 minutes from me. I had no idea. :)

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I think I'm going to try Phonics Pathways with lots of simple books around the house- maybe I'll get the Bob books and more Dr. Seuss, etc. Or maybe Explode the Code. I've heard good things about that one, too.

We're using Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading even after my kids are reading.

Even my oldest (9) is using it at times to help with rules.

Adam is reading now and he's been reading many many Dr. Seuss and also the "I Can Read" books (level 2). We have a 12 book collection of them... so he's working his way through them. :)

But I am using OPGTR for all of my kids now.. .and we all enjoy it.

Phonics museum seems a bit... intense.

For Kinder it wasn't nearly as intense as it has been for 1st grade. But it's intense in a fun way. Hard to explain I guess. Blake is by far my least intense kid and he is doing great with it.

I don't know if youa re looking for any readers, but if you are... do a search on Amazon for Nora Gaydos. She has some sets of 10 books that are a bit more colorful and interesting (IMO) than Bob books.