I have always been curious about the Hooked on Phonics program, so when I saw that they had done a makeover of the system I decided to take a closer look.
I was pleasantly surprised with the program. Most of
the activities in the Pre-K program are just like the ones that I use
in my Alphabet Activities
series. In fact, it was sort of freaky: They even included the idea of
making a C out of coats on the floor and making a C from clay. I
started to wonder if they would think I ripped them off...
I like how this system hinges on parental interaction and
doesn't promise to teach your children to read by plopping them down in
front of a video or computer screen. The DVD system and website are
there to reinforce, not teach.
My only complaint (if you can really call it that) is that the lower case letters are not taught first. However, the system could be completed out of order to do this.
If you want to see the entire review and more pictures, go here:
Alphabet activities: Learn to Read by Hooked on Phonics
Copy and paste:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-15855-Early-Childhood-Educational-Activities-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Alphabet-activities-Learn-to-Read-by-Hooked-on-Phonics
Starr Weems de Graffenried
Author of Brain Child and Teach Your Child Spanish Through Play. See my articles here.
I have the Hooked on Phonics Pre-K Edition. LOVE IT! My kit came with storybook, 2 CD Roms for the PC, 2 sets of flashcards, 3 Work Books, and 140 Picture Cards...and for my DD STICKERS!!!
I bought it at Wal-Mart on Clearance for 15.00. Then recently I saw the next level in my 3rd graders Scholastic Reader Book order form!
While I understand the need for sight words...this is a great tool for parents like me who want some general instruction and visual aids already made for me.
Marguerite
Ah man! I wish I could score a deal like that! My in-laws preached Hooked on Phonics! I need to get it for my DS and get crackin!
Quoting Mbailey:I have the Hooked on Phonics Pre-K Edition. LOVE IT! My kit came with storybook, 2 CD Roms for the PC, 2 sets of flashcards, 3 Work Books, and 140 Picture Cards...and for my DD STICKERS!!!
I bought it at Wal-Mart on Clearance for 15.00. Then recently I saw the next level in my 3rd graders Scholastic Reader Book order form!
While I understand the need for sight words...this is a great tool for parents like me who want some general instruction and visual aids already made for me.
Marguerite
|
Hooked on Kindergarten provides children with the skills they need to ensure success, confidence and fun in kinderga... |
I've also seen the program at a discount at Tuesday Morning. It wouldn't shock me if you could also find it at TJ Maxx.
Starr Weems de Graffenried
Author of Brain Child and Teach Your Child Spanish Through Play. See my articles here.
DS (4yo) really liked the Preschool edition. He already knew his upper case letters, but we hadn't done anything with lowercase letters. The pages are bright and colorful. He and his two year old brother watched the alphabet video like 10 times a day. They loved the songs. However, we finished the Preschool Level 2 and were not ready at all to move onto K Level 1 so we have shelved that for a little while. We'll pick it back up again in a few months. I bought my set right around Christmas time for $10.99 for each Level. I bought Pre-K Levels 1&2 and K Levels 1 & 2 from Walmart.com. I know now they are much more expensive everywhere else, but if you're looking at this set (and I do like it) you may be able to find it for quite a bit cheaper if you compare prices for a little while.
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Neat blog
- Starrwd
on Oct. 13, 2009 at 5:51 AM