What Do I Need?
This is an ungraded curriculum. Start where you need to start for each individual person. While it is recommended, you do not need to complete each level in one academic year. Take the time you need!
Teach each child according to their own abilities. Do not hold a younger child back just because he might surpass an older sibling. Teach them that God gives each one differing abilities and time tables for learning. We are not in a race or competition. As we help each other, we work together as a team.
Do not refer to these books by grade, but by level. If your six-year-old begins with Level B, do not say the books are used by kindergarteners. If your ten-year-old would benefit from Level C, do not tell him he is using a book that some six-year-olds are using. The truth is, on completion of Level C, most children have decoding and reading at high grade levels and can be placed into grade four of most graded curriculums. That level is recommended due to emotional development. Older children, on completion of Level C, should complete diagnostic tests for proper placement in the curriculum of choice.
Note: After you have purchased a kit once, you do not need to buy it again. Simply buy the items for each age that you do not have. For example: if you purchased the Phonics Teaching Aids Kit when your child is three you would only purchase the Phonics Teacher's Kit and the Student A Kit when the child is four.
THREE-YEAR-OLD CHILD: (orally)
For a three-year-old, purchase the following items:
• Teaching 3s Character, Phonics, and Math (#101)
• Phonics Teaching Aids Kit (#017)
• Math Teaching Aids Kit (#018)
• Alphabet & Numbers Tracing Masters (#335)
All teaching for a three-year-old is done orally. There is no workbook recommended. You should spend no more than 5 to 10 minutes a day on phonics and the same on math when your child is this age. For some children, you can double the time.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD (Level A)
For a four-year-old, purchase the following items:
• Teacher's Phonics Kit (#010)
• Phonics Teaching Aids Kit (#017)
• Student Kit A (#012)
• Mathematics Kit (#011)
• Mathematics Teaching Aids Kit (#018)
Use Student A kit for fours (or fives requiring a much slower pace). Note: A five-year-old just starting out does not have to do Level A before starting Level B.
You should spend no more than 10 to 15 minutes per day on phonics and the same on math when your child is this age. You can double the time for some children.
AGE FIVE or OLDER: (Level B)
For children five or six years of age and for any older student who is not an independent reader purchase:
• Teacher's Phonics Kit (#010)
• Phonics Teaching Aids Kit (#017)
• Student Kit B (#013)
• Mathematics Kit (#011)
• Mathematics Teaching Aids Kit (#018)
DO NOT use Program A with a five or six-year-old as this will place undue delay in your child's academic advancement, unless he is not eager to learn yet.
Use Student Kit B with five-year-olds, beginning 1st graders (children who have not been previously schooled), and older students needing a review or to lay solid foundations. You may find Level B will be easily grasped by the older child, thus boosting self-esteem and confidence while preparing them for Level C, making it a worthwhile investment.
For a five or six year old, spend up to 20 minutes per day in phonics and the same in math. Spend up to 30 minutes per day per subject with an older student. For some children you can double the time.
AGE SIX or OLDER: (Level C)
For those finished Level B, independent readers, and those needing phonics remediation purchase:
• Student Kit C (#014)
• Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 32-66 (#307)
• Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 67-93 (#315)
• Phonics Drill Charts and Spelling Rules (#328S)
Level C can also be used for an older child, teen, or adult who is an independent reader but needs some "beefing up" on phonics and grammar. Begins with a review of vowels for the first ten lessons then moves along very quickly in advancing difficulty.
Customizing the Program:
Phonics: If you cannot afford the Teacher Phonics Kit, the four Phonics Lessons for Flashcards books break the curriculum into four parts. Gradually purchase the Lesson Guides and the corresponding workbooks plus the Phonics Drill Charts (#328s) and the Phonics Flash Cards set (#325)
Math: purchase the individual components of the Math Kit as you can.
