My 7 yo ds is reading pretty well now, at the Frog and Toad/Little Bear level. Doesn't love to read, by any means, but is getting there, little by little. Up until now I've been using The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, as well as beginning readers from the library and using some Abeka level one readers. I'm thinking that maybe I should get the R&S or CLE reading program, b/c neither one of us can tolerate the Parent's Guide much longer, and I feel like for this particular child, a reading program would be a good idea. For all my other kids, we just read books, but this child is different.

Sooooo, what do I use? What grade level? Would grade 1 be too easy; grade 2 too hard?

Really need some advice before I plunk down some $$$.

Thanks!

If you are thinking about using CLE, I would definitely suggest looking over their samples first. Even then, I would not suggest going above grade level. I have found CLE's Reading to be quite rigorous. We are currently using grades 3, 6, and 8. My 6th and 8th grader despise this Reading program but I alter it to suit them. For example, since I just want them to be familiar with the skills in the workbooks, I allow them to have open-book tests. Even still, it's pretty difficult. They use words that most people don't use. The stories are very old-fashioned which we like but they can also be kinda weird and antiquated. I don't think we'll use CLE next year for Reading, FWIW.

this is what we do:

The girls all do' Christian Light Reading, but the boys do Rod and Staff. That just works best for us.

I did Reading CLE until about 5th grade. Then I quit doing anykind of reading program. I read ALL THE TIME anyway, thought my Mom, so it wouldn't be very necessary for me. Also, I do write reports on part of the books I read. I love to read, and I am always sad, when I finish a book, because I would like to keep reading!

As far as my brothers doing Rod and Staff, they do like it much better than CLE, but they just DON'T like to read period! That is a big problem for us! Anyone else have that problem?

Since I didn't do 5th grade Reading CLE, we didn't have the books, and we spent so much on schoolbooks this year, that we didn't feel like getting those. My 5th grade sister is a bookworm just like me, so she's basically doing what I am.

As far as my 2nd grade sister, she does CLE Reading, and usually enjoys it. She does pretty well, and also loves to read.

Now my 5-year-old brother is BEGGING to learn to read! He is just WISHING that HE was the only person I had time for, so I could teach him to read. Oh well! At least he is learning! He already knows his ABC's, can recognize nearly all the letters, and is working on his sounds.

I like both R+S and CLE, they are solid. But, I'm going to suggest Pathway Readers. From the sounds of it, these might really suit your ds better than the others.

These are nice little readers that have stories about families and their lives, most are from a rural setting. There are no special markings or funny things going on w/ the lettering. They have nice black-and-white pictures, nothing "cutesy" either.

The workbooks that go w/ them are not overwhelming but still teach the concepts needed. At this level, there are basically 2 pg for each lesson. The first one is Working With Words, to be done before reading, and the second one is about the story, for after reading. There have been sequencing, mixed sentences, who said it, etc. My dd who was slow to begin reading has really loved these and continues to ask to do her reading.

Another plus is the price, very reasonable to the point that you could get an extra reader to use them together w/ a little more ease. Here is a place to order them and to see the inside of the books, extensive samples.
http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Pathway_Readers/

You will probably not need to use the first book, First Steps, so start looking at Days Go By and More Days Go By in 1rst gr. You can start w/ gr 2, as well. I don't think you will be missing anything if you use those. Take a look and see where would be best, and it's OK to start w/ one that's a bit 'easy' to build up his confidence. The other nice thing about these is that they are not baby-ish so stepping back won't be an issue.

HTH
K

we love second grade hooked on phonics and the HOP master reader program. HTH.

If you think your dc needs more phonics instruction, I'd say use something like AlphaPhonics, or (my favorite) Spalding, and then get good books from the library.

You don't need workbooks and readers to produce a child who reads well.

Oh, these are fabulous suggestions. Thanks!

I feel like for this child, additional phonics instruction is necessary, but he doesn't like being too challenged, KWIM? A bit on the lazy side, IMO. He definitely needs lots of successful encounters to feel confident.

I'm going to check out your suggestions. Thanks! If there's anything else you can think of, please pass it on.

Maybe using a reader package from Sonlight along with ETC would work perfect for your situation.
You can see samples on the SL site under LA.

Good luck to you.
~Melissa~