Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann, et. al.  ISBN: 0671631985

When I first saw this book back in 1992, I thought, "Yuck!" I had heard glowing reports about Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and as I looked down at the crazy-looking writing in the book, couldn't imagine why. I quickly put the book back and grabbed The New Illiterates (out of print) off the library shelf. I ended up using the information in the back of this book to teach my son to read. 

So, fast forward ahead a few years. I've been through numerous methods, systems, programs, and phonics books with my daughter who wants (begs me) to learn to read. None of them have seemed to click for her. She's understood what she's done, but it's just hasn't "stuck." Guess where I head? Back to the library, back to the crazy-looking writing in Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. 

So we started using it basically because I'm not at all willing to spend something like $225 for the one last program that I think might work. Lo and behold, those funny letter-like squiggles in 100 Easy Lessons make sense to my daughter! When the library book was due, I took it back and bought my own copy of it (which I'm saving for the grandchildren that I hope someday to have). 

Will this book help you to teach your child to read? Your guess is as good as mine. But you can always check it out at your library or through interlibrary loan to "try before you buy." 

You'll have to read about 18 pages that explain how the reading system works and why it works. That's it. The rest of the book is scripted for you--not because you're brainless. Just because it makes it easier for the authors to tell you exactly what to say and exactly what your child should say. The authors know that the patterns of teaching they prescribe will help the child. The same types of things are done over and over with new letters and words. It creates an environment where there are few surprises. This helps the child to feel secure and competent. Therefore, it's easier to learn. Plus the scripting does make it easier for you. It really was difficult for me to follow the directions exactly, but it paid off. 

So you're wondering what the crazy-looking letters are. Well, "th" is connected, as are other two-lettered sounds like: "sh," "ch," "er," "wh." Also, silent letters are smaller to help the child ignore them. Long-vowels have a line over them, but short vowels are left alone. And there are also dots under the letters. It looks like a very crazy system. But it really has worked for my daughter.  And by the end of the book, all the letters look as they should. 

I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I never knew I should also not judge a book by a quick glance at its contents!!! In the case of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, I learned that I should judge a book by what it produces! 

Discounted at Amazon.com!!! Check it out! 
Or check for a used copy at Powell's--over a million used and out-of-print titles!