The Phonics First series has been written specifically for pre-readers and beginning readers (suggested age 4 – 6). The series is carefully structured to develop phonemic awareness – the ability to identify individual sounds in words as well as the ability to blend sounds into meaningful words.
In Phonics First Book 1, students explore letter-sound relationships. After completing this book, students will be able to identify beginning consonants, ending consonants and middle vowels in words.
The Reading Freedom 2000 Diagnostic Handbook should be used to place students at the correct level in the program. In order to work successfully with the Phonics First Activity Books, teachers should refer to the Phonics First Teacher Resource Book and monitor student progress with the Phonics First Achievement Tests.
The Reading Freedom 2000 program provides a systematic approach to the teaching of reading at all levels of the phonic hierarchy of skills. The program offers much more than mechanical drill exercises – the activities in each level are designed to give students effective word attack skills so they can develop the motivation to read widely for their own enjoyment.
All components of the Reading Freedom 2000 program are based on contemporary research into the ways children best learn to read. Upon completion of the Reading Freedom 2000 program, students will have mastered the skills necessary for them to become independent readers.
