We recently switched our curriculum to the ABeCeDarian reading program. I had never heard of it before and I had a hard time finding a lot of information about it online. So, I’m so excited to share with you our first impressions about it.
I recently published a YouTube video describing our first impressions, and it also contains a complete look through of the level we are using. Be sure to check it out to get a thorough look into the teacher guide and the units.
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Why We Switched
This year was a big review year for us. In the previous school year we completed Foundations A and B from Logic of English. It went really well, and I thought the curriculum was great, but I felt the need to review some more.
At that point I found a couple different programs that I used together to help me do this. One was called Treasure Hunt Reading. This was a super cute, inexpensive workbook that came with free online videos. My daughter loved the video host, and it was just a great way for us to get some review in without feeling like we were starting all over.
The other program we used was called Phonics Pathways. This was much different than Treasure Hunt Reading, but it is specifically made for students that may need extra reading instruction. As we used it, I could really tell she was starting to improve in her blending skills and at the same time I was learning so much about phonics and teaching reading.
You can see a look through of both of these workbooks on my YouTube channel: Phonics Pathways and Treasure Hunt Reading
We used Treasure Hunt Reading off and on, but we were more consistent with Phonics Pathways for about eight months. After a while though, we started to feel bored by the lessons and it was a struggle to complete a short ten-minute phonics review. At this point I knew I needed to try something different.
Why ABeCeDarian?
I started by searching the internet for reading programs that helped struggling readers. I have had my eye on Pinwheels for about a year, but I just can’t get myself to commit to the cost and the printing involved! Then All About Reading came to mind which has such a great reputation, but once again the cost was a factor.
I wasn’t looking to spend $150+ on something. I had already done that with Logic of English (which was worth it at the time!) However, I didn’t think it was the right move this time.
Then I came across a video on YouTube where a mom described Abecedarian and how her daughter started reading so quickly and became so confident. Now this was what I needed! I wanted a confidence boost in my house. With all of the review we were doing, I felt like my child was in a place where reading just didn’t interest her at all!
Materials
After reading about the different levels, I chose to start my daughter in their B-1 Level. I bought the teacher guide for about $25, the student book for about $25, and their leveled reader for $12. So, for about $65 I was set to try this out.
This B-1 level contains 12 units, and I figured it would help me get through the end of our school year. Once we completed it, I could re-evaluate where we were at and if we wanted to continue.
The workbooks for ABeCeDarian can be purchased on this site.
Teacher Guide
The Teacher Guide is jam-packed with information. My favorite part is that at the beginning it contains of Quick-Start Guide. So, with just a little bit of reading, I could start the program immediately. Then, I spent the next few days reading more of the information provided.
The guide includes a description of the components of reading, teaching struggling readers, descriptions of all the activities, tips on error correction, scheduling and more! It’s quite the read, but it’s very helpful!
First Impressions
After you complete a unit, your child is supposed to read a fable from the leveled reader. After just one unit, my daughter read the fable so well! I literally cried listening to her. I was so proud, and she was SO happy! It’s like a huge bulb went off and suddenly she was so interested in reading and overjoyed that she could do it!
I started noticing her trying to read out in public – signs, papers, words on a TV screen. She was recognizing some of the sounds we had been practicing. She also started getting books from the library and was making an attempt to read them – and was doing really well!
This would’ve been unheard of before. I feel like in the past she just felt like – “I can’t read.” Now, suddenly, she had this feeling of “…maybe I can!” And I was thrilled!
Nothing Like I’ve Seen Before
This program is nothing like I have ever seen before – seriously! In the teacher guide it tells you not to use terms like “silent e”, “short vowels”, “buddy letters”, and more. Every reading program we have ever tried always has some type of trick to memorize the rules of letters, and this guy is telling you – don’t even say it! Isn’t that crazy?
Sight words are another example. He explains that many programs state sight words need to be memorized because they don’t follow the normal rules. Then he goes on to explain that your child WILL be breaking down the sounds of these letters and a “sight word” category of words is completely unnecessary.
Instead of teaching letter by letter or even a group of letters, this book teaches vowel sounds. So for example, the unit we just completed taught the sound /u/ (what we might know as the short u). However, it doesn’t describe it like that. Instead it introduced four different groups of letters that make that same sound.
One unit focuses on eight key words that make the particular sound. So, by the end of the the unit your child will master the eight words and continues to review them with flash cards, the leveled readers, and eventually fluency lists.
Getting Started
I can’t express enough to really get to know this program before you jump in. It is VERY unique, and I think it’s important that you recognize that and make sure it’s the right fit for you family. I found 1-2 videos that helped me, but I also now have published a full look-through on YouTube that may be helpful.
Check out their websites. Yes, that’s multiple sites. From what I have researched, ABeCeDarian is now under the name Sharpen. The original website still exists and contains information about the different levels, downloadable resources, and samples to the units. However, if you want to purchase their units, it will re-direct you to their Sharpen site.
Take a look at some of the videos the website offers. The videos are a little outdated, but you can watch the creator tutor children using the program, and it is SO helpful to see him do it. Some of the terminology he uses and his correction process is really interesting to watch. It really helped me understand what I was about to teach.
Online Edition
If you click around on the Sharpen site, you may notice that the company provides an online version of this program as well as some tutoring options. I am not familiar with this at all, but I do know they offer a trial and from what I have read, it seems like the online version is the same as the text.
Curriculum Goals
I have been so happy with the progress I have seen using this program. Now, that we are halfway through B-1, I understand the teaching method a little bit better and the lessons don’t feel as overwhelming as they did with the first 1-2 units.
There’s no way I can stop this now. I have seen too much progress and such a positive attitude switch in my child. I don’t think we will get through the book by the end of the school year, so my hope is to somehow incorporate it into our summer review. I’m still thinking about how to do this. For now, my goal is to complete B-1 in it’s entirety and see where we are from there.
When I first went looking around to find information about this program, I didn’t find much, so I hope sharing about it here can be helpful to anyone looking to know more. Be sure to check out my look-through video for a closer look. Finally, as always, remember that every family is unique. What works for mine may be different from yours. I always use this blog to provide our experiences in hopes that it might inspire you in a way that best suits your family.
