Ready for Phonics

How many of you remember learning "phonics" back in grade school language arts (i.e., English)? We were taught a new word by "sounding it out." Of course, the clever students figured out right away that something was up because "phonics" was not spelt "fonix," the way it should have been. Still, for general purposes, the phonics program turned out to be either a great way to get a fundamental grasp of the English language, or the reason Johnny still can't read today--depending on one's perspective. The Ready for Phonics series (which is definitely more fun than I remember phonics being) offers a review of the alphabet, followed by enhanced iconographic animated stories of "The Three Little Pigs," "The Little Red Hen," and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." After each tale, the program focuses on specific letters used to start various words throughout the story. The second tape in the series covers more letters and the numbers 1-10, while the third and fourth tapes offer more advanced introductions to long and short vowels, word families, and dipthongs and blends, among other topics. Recommended. A four-tape sequel, Beyond Phonics, is also available (the series price for all eight tapes is $200). Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)