Learning How to Read with All About Reading

I recently got to check out the new All About Reading Level 1 set. We have been using All About Reading Pre-1 and All About Spelling, so I was excited to see what this new level contained (Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for a special announcement!)

What is it?

All About Reading Level 1 contains
1. Teacher's Manual
2. Student Packet (includes Activity Book)
3. Run, Bug, Run! reader  

4. The Runt Pig reader
5. Cobweb the Cat reader 
(you can download samples of each element at the website)

In addition, a Reading Interactive Kit will need to be purchased, but will be used for all reading levels (so it is a one-time purchase). There is a Deluxe kit or a Basic kit to choose from. Items can also be purchased individually.

How it Works:

There is a little prep-work when you first start this program. There are phonogram cards and word cards that need to be torn-apart and filed. Then there are magnet tiles that need to be assembled. I did all of that while watching a Christmas special. It wasn't difficult at all.

All About Reading Level 1 is geared toward beginning readers. Students who know their alphabet and sounds and who are just starting to learn how to put the sounds together to make words can use this level. If you aren't sure if your child is ready for formal reading instruction yet, use this Reading Readiness Checklist to help guide your decision.

When you are ready to start, the Teacher's manual walks you through everything you need to cover in a lesson. It tells you what you need and what to say. It is very easy to follow and understand.

This program is a multisensory program. Children will learn through sight, sound, and touch.In the photo above we learned a hand-motion to go along with short /a/. My daughter is pretending to hold an apple while saying the short /a/ sound.

Then she worked on sounding out words with letter tiles. Don't you love our pizza pan? LOL! I do have a dry-erase board that we use for our magnet letter tiles but I was teaching in the kitchen that day and used what I could find. :)

After we used the tiles, we did the activity page in the student book. I like that the activity was focused and was not just a "time filler" as some worksheets can be. From looking ahead, many of the activity pages have a hands-on component-- match words to pictures, create word flippers, play as a game etc. I would consider these "active worksheets".

Then 20 minutes of reading books with mom! I actually do this throughout the day. Read a book for 10 min. after lunch, and read some books before bed.

What I Thought:

If you are like me, one of the first things I look at is the price. Yes, this program is a little pricey, but I believe it is worth it. Here's why:

* All the materials in this system are top quality. They did not take any shortcuts creating AAR materials. The 3 readers that are included are hard-back readers. The teacher's manual is well-written and easy to follow (no teacher-ese lingo).

* There are no gaps. I don't have to worry that I'm forgetting to teach some component of reading. It is all covered.

• Phonological Awareness
• Phonics and Decoding
• Fluency
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension

* It is multi-sensory. Some children learn better by hearing. Others by seeing. Others by kinesthetic (tactile) learning. This program teaches to all those learning styles. This allows children to process the information in more than one way and remember it better.

*You'll get the "Go Ahead and Use It" one-year guarantee. You have one full year to try out AAR. If you find that any of the curriculums do not meet your needs, simply return the materials at any time within one year of purchase for a full refund of your purchase price, no questions asked.

All About Learning Press is letting me give away 1 All About Reading Level 1 Kit and 1 Deluxe Reading Interactive Kit!

This giveaway runs from 12/9 - 12/13. Enter via Rafflecopter. If you are reading this in a reader and don't see the form, please click over to the site to enter.

Disclosure: I was given a free kit to review. I am also an affiliate. The opinions are my own.