Phonics Pathways By Dolores Hiskes size:  8.5" x 11" cover:  paperback pages:  238 written for classroom, easily adaptable to homeschool useful for remediation

Pricing information from Amazon

I stumbled onto this Phonics Pathways while looking through the 370s (education section) at the library.  Since I've got a friend who is trying to teach her grandson to read, I decided to check it out so that I could look it over.  (Okay, I'm just getting over the shock that I've actually got a friend whose got a grandson--actually, it's her step-daughter's child--but it sounds strange just the same.  I don't see myself as "grandma age" just quite yet.)

After giving it a quick once-over, I'm impressed.  I've always been a fan of Alpha-Phonics, but I think this book may be better than the Alpha-Phonics book.  Phonics Pathways is simple, straightforward, and encouraging.  I like it!

To start teaching, the teacher needs to read the first 10 pages, then start involving the student.  The short vowels are the first to be learned.  (Amazon has about 6 pages available for viewing, including all 5 short vowel pages.)  Work on blending begins once the student knows the short vowels sounds.  By blending, I mean that "s" and "a" are said together "ssssssssssaaaaaaaaaa."  (s and short a)  The consonants are taught and then blended with each of the short vowel sounds--sa, se, si, so, su and ma, me, mi, mo, mu.   It's simple and self-explanatory.  By page 12, the student is beginning to read just one three-letter word and many three-letter words by page 28 .  Of course, the teacher is encouraged to let the child move at his own pace.

Phonics Pathways doesn't use "word families."  Word families are rat, sat, mat, fat, etc.  Phonics Pathways teaches by having the student slowly build on an initial sound /s/ and then adding another sound /s/ /a/ and then adding a final sound /s/ /a/ /t/.  The next word learned would be "set," then "sip" and "sob."  Rhyming isn't relied on; the student must practice her phonics skills with each word.

Phonics Pathways expects the parent to spend about 10-15 minutes each day--never more than that.  The parent sits next to the child while the child reads out of the book.  There is a little game described that can be played with the vowels.  I think many children would like it.  It may be easier to implement Phonics Pathways if the student already knows the sounds of all the consonants and the short vowel sounds prior to starting the book, but the author doesn't expect that.

After the short vowel sounds and the consonants, the student is introduced to -sh, -th, -ch, and a few other similar endings.  Then the long vowel sounds are introduced.  I think this is good timing.  It gets the student reading many more words (and books) quickly.  "Magic E" is the way the silent e at the end of word is described.  The teacher is reminded that the student should read and then write the rest of the words throughout the whole book.  This writing doesn't occur in the book, though, it's supposed to be done on a separate sheet of paper or on a chalkboard.  If writing is still too difficult, the student can trace a big letters in the air or on a tabletop.  Writing the letters does help the student to retain the information, but some students just don't have their fine motor skills developed well enough to write.  If writing isn't occurring, I'm not sure that holding your student back until they can write is the wisest thing to do.  Learning to write is a skill that is separate from learning to read.

By the time the next lessons on -ing and -ed begin, you're already on page 98!  Multisyllable words are just a few pages away, and your student has already been reading sentences for some time.  Diagraph blends (wh-, ch-, th-, etc.) are learned and practiced next.  Br, cr, dr, etc., come next along with ur, ir, er.  By now, your child is off and running and probably reading easy readers.

Do finish the book, all 220+ pages, even if your child takes off with reading immediately.  You may think that he doesn't need to finish the book, but finishing the book will help lay a firm foundation in phonics that can be drawn on when he reaches more difficult reading material.  Laying a firm foundation is critical.

If your student seems to be taking a while to learn the short vowel sounds (or reaches some other plateau) and she's not able to progress in the book, think about picking up some DVDs or letter puzzles (alternate puzzle) if you don't already have some.  Or possibly refrigerator letters (alternate set).  While making lunch, you can ask your young reader to go to the fridge and bring you the /e/ sound or the /a/ sound.  This can be fun and a simple way to reinforce what Phonics Pathways is teaching.  Letting the student be the teacher now and then is also a great way for her to learn.  A set of bathtub letters is also very handy way to make bath time fun learning time. (NOTE:  Make sure whichever toys you buy, that they include lowercase letters because young learners encounter lowercase letters most often.)

Phonics Pathways has a little uplifting and encouraging saying almost every time you turn the page.  For instance, "It's nice to be important ... But it's more important to be nice!"  These little sayings often have very little to do with learning phonics, but they are good thoughts to fill young minds with.  Here's another good one, "If obstacles get in your way, do as the wind does ... whistle and go around them!"  While I enjoy the little sayings, I don't care for the little worm named Dewey who appears throughout the book.  He may be appealing to children and I know that the author probably loves him, but I think he's a little depressing and sad looking.  Even on the odd occasion when he's smiling, he still looks sad to me.  Sorry, Dolores!

Phonics Pathways can easily put your student on the pathway to successful reading.  It's a solid, no frills program.  Most children who are ready to learn to read will be able to follow the lead of their parents through this book.  I don't know what else to say.  As a former Alpha-Phonics devotee, I feel disloyal recommending Phonics Pathways, but Phonics Pathways has an undefineable appeal.  It's got me wishing I had another child to teach how to read!

Read other Phonics Pathways reviews at Amazon.com! The first box of Bob Books can be introduced after page 28.  They can give your student extra practice and a feeling of success!  Buy them now so that you don't have to place another order later.

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Discounts Galore!

• Book 1
• Book 1 1/2
• Book 2
• Book 2 1/2
• Book 3
• Book 3 1/2
• Book 4
• Book 4 1/2
• Book 5
• Book 5 1/2
• Book 6
• Book 6 1/2
• Book 7
• Book 8

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