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Description
Is it possible to fall in love with a reading program? I think it was love at first sight for me when I saw the clever and colorful Phonetic Farm Folder. Fortunately, there is much more to this program than just pretty packaging... a lot more!
The program has four distinct stages. The Foundations stage (19 lessons) is teacher intensive (it gets better after the first month). You are directing, modeling and helping the student practice. During this stage, both phonograms and sight words are presented, and stickers are added to the Phonetic Farm Folder. Daily work pages with reinforcing cut-and-paste activities and reading practice pages are also part of this stage. Poetry, however, is the centerpiece and starting point for each lesson. Absolutely delightful poetry selections are read and memorized.
The Activities stage (next 38 lessons) is a time for reinforcement. Games introduced during Foundations are carefully selected, and time each day is spent playing them (think learning stations). It is during this time that a set of four readers, the Phonetic Farm Readers, are introduced.
Stage 3 is Discovery (2-4 weeks) where the student, using sets of 10 cards daily, practices decoding words without pictures or context clues. The goal of this stage is to graduate to the Library (Stage 4), where students read their way through three levels of books..
While the general method for this reading program belongs to Mrs. Ingham, its user-friendly, well-organized features are the loving work of Jill Pike, homeschooling mother and author of other IEW programs. Lessons, which follow a pattern (poetry, writing, instruction, reinforcement, wrap-up), are easy to follow but not quite scripted. Mrs. Pike provides a detailed lesson "talk-through" which is part of the DVD-ROM. In these presentations she leads you through the use of each component and explains the significance of each aspect of the methodology. Additionally, she has liberally bestowed her wisdom in the form of teaching tips and explanations throughout the daily lessons.
The scope and sequence for this program is unusual. Consonants, vowels, and letter combinations are presented together from the beginning and the order of presentation is organized around the poetry that is being read and memorized. Phonics rules, spelling rules, and sight words are added concurrently but are constantly being reviewed and reinforced. By the time the student is ready for the first reader, he's also ready to read a rather amazing number of words. The goal of the program is fluent reading at an end-of-first-grade level, which means that by that time all the basic phonograms and suffixes will have been presented. The student will be ready for more advanced syllabication decoding.
Choose this program because you are enthralled with all aspects of language and you want to impart that excitement to your child. Or choose it because you love organization and user-friendliness. You won't be disappointed either way. ~ Janice
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.