Reading Horizons....Review & Give Away!

As I have mentioned, A&W started kindergarten last month.  I was very anxious about them starting school.  Would they like it? Would they make new friends?  Would they be prepared?  I am ecstatic to report that they both LOVE school.  They have made new friends.  They are more than prepared.  I think I can credit this success to a few things....a great teacher, a super kind group of classmates AND the fact that the children and I worked together using Reading Horizons before they started school.

Have you heard of Reading Horizons?  In case the program is new to  you, let me give you some background from their website....

The Reading Horizons at Home and Discover Intensive Phonics at Home, computer software program, along with corresponding direct instruction materials, have taught hundreds of thousands of adults and youth to read. In literacy programs nationwide, even non-readers have advanced several grade levels of reading ability while using this interactive, multi sensory software that deals exclusively with basic reading and word attack skills. Our products have been used successfully in thousands of elementary, middle, and high schools; community college ABE programs; workplace and community literacy locations; and adult and youth corrections programs, as well as for individuals at home and in home schooling settings.

I am ALL for helping my children with their literacy skills.  I read to the children.  A lot.  I know reading to children is the stepping stone to reading on their own but I was also very, very excited to start in on a program that could further help them with their skills. Reading Horizons sent me the Intensive Phonics Teachers Materials for children aged 4-9 and I was so excited to jump right in with the program....

Content Overview:

• Teachers Manuals (2 volumes)
• Sound Essentials Student Manual
• Reverse Listening Cards
• 14 posters
• Enrichment CD
• Set of Little Books
• Tote Bag

Seems involved, right?  Well, it is...in a good way!  I have no formal teaching training and I am not a home schooler but with the manual I BECAME a teacher.  I did quite a lot of thumbing through the materials before I started in with the boys and I think that was the best approach. The tote bag is jammed packed full of guides, books and other tools so it CAN seem a bit daunting.  Except it wasn't...not at all.  Once I had read through a bit I was ready to go.  I was very impressed about the concept and the approach as well as the overall "user friendliness" of the program.

A&W have a keen interest in books and love to be read to but they were not reading at all (with the exception of their own names).  We started in with the program for 30 minutes a day 4-5 times per week and I could see them begin to understand letters, phonics and how they come together to form words.  I have to get a little corny here but as a mom and also as a person who loves to read, I was so incredibly touched to see words start to click for the boys.  They are on their way to reading and that has been one of my proudest moments as a parent.

The Reading Horizons Program gives you everything you need to help your child learn to read.  It is also an excellent and well trusted program widely used in classrooms.  I like how I am able to use the program for both of the children and I will be able to use it once again when Little R is ready to start her reading journey.  The investment into the Reading Horizons program is absolutely worth it.  I will be continuing on with the program with A&W and expect even more positive progress as we go along.  As I mentioned, they are now understanding the phonics portion and are able to understand how words come together.  I feel they have a confidence boost in the classroom as well because they understand the hows and whys of reading already.  Thank you Reading Horizons!

You can purchase the Reading Horizons programs HERE and I highly recommend signing up for their very informative newsletter as well (find that HERE).

I am so happy to tell you that one lucky RBM reader will win the outstanding Reading Horizons kit I received (a $299 value!).  Thanks again to the sponsor and here is how to enter....
a Rafflecopter giveaway Pin It