Phonics Pathways: Clear Steps to Easy Reading [LARGE PRINT] (Paperback)

by Dolores G. Hiskes (Author) "Phonics Pathways is organized by sounds and spelling patterns..." (more)
Key Phrases: hid gum, read across the page, spelling chart, Perfect Spelling, Phonics Pathways, Clear Steps (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“Adorable characters like Dewey the Bookworm and illustrations to delight all make this program vital in becoming part of your child’s life. Let your child be a lifelong reader—give him the Phonics Pathways advantage!” --Cathy Fox, New Jersey director, National Right to Read Association, NRRF Teacher of the Year 1997

“I had no idea how to teach phonics, yet in about six weeks my 3 ½ and 5-year-old children were reading and spelling. I always recommend Phonics Pathways—it remains my favorite program.”--Sandra S. Elam, director, The National Right to Read Foundation

“We are homeshcooling our 9- and 7-year-old and were convinced they would never read. Then I discovered Phonics Pathways in our local library. We are absolutely thrilled with their progress and your book!”--The Walter R. Wright family, Gnadenhutten, Ohio

“After my mom had a stroke she had trouble getting words from her brain to her mouth. Soon after she was back home I began using Phonics Pathways with her. It helped her so much—she loved it!”--Barb Tessmann, librarian, Oconomowoc Public Library, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
Now in its ninth edition, Phonics Pathways (with help from Dewey the Bookworm™) teaches students of all ages the rudiments of phonics and spelling with an efficient, practical, and foolproof method. Written in an easy-to-use format, Phonics Pathways is organized by sounds and spelling patterns. The patterns are introduced one at a time and slowly built into syllables, words, phrases, and sentences. Printed in a large 8-1/2" x 11" lay-flat format for easy photocopying, Phonics Pathways is filled with illustrative examples, word lists, and practice readings that are 100 percent decodable. While appropriate for K-2 emergent readers, this award-winning book has also been used successfully with adolescent and adult learners, as well as second language learners and students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia.

Dewey® and Dewey Decimal Classification® are proprietary trademarks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, and are used with permission.

Dewey the Bookworm™, Dewey D. System, Bookwormus Giganticus™, and the design mark of the character Dewey are trademarks of Dolores G. Hiskes and are also used with permission. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: Dorbooks; 7th Rev edition (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962096776
• ISBN-13: 978-0962096778
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #921,280 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

143 of 147 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best phonics program!, March 16, 2000

By	Sandra Elam (Leesburg, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phonics Pathways (Paperback)

As a phonics tutor and as the Virginia Director for the National Right to Read Foundation, I have used many programs over the years. Phonics Pathways is the best! The practice sentences are 100% decodable and it teaches blending - features not usually included in other programs. It is complete, contains all spelling rules, is very affordable, and easy to use. You can buy the book and start teaching the same day. I had no idea how to teach phonics, yet in about six weeks my 3-1/2 and 5-year-old children were reading and spelling. I always recommend Phonics Pathways - it is my favorite program!

-- Sandra S. Elam, Tutor and Virginia Director, The National Right to Read Foundation

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can teach; they can read!, February 20, 2003

By	Christy Bagasao "bagx6" (Nevada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Phonics Pathways (Paperback)

I homeschool four daughters. We began using Phonics Pathways when my eldest was five. She is a very intelligent child, and caught on quickly to the simple format in which the reading and spelling skills are presented. In half a year she has begun reading books at a much harder level than what we are studying in Phonics Pathways, and is already reading at a second grade level in the tutorial. We also use the book to teach spelling, since it includes spelling rules. My second daughter does not have her sister's knack for the written word. I hesitantly began using Phonics Pathways with her just shy of age four to teach her letter sounds and simple blending. She has also been successful with this no frills, straight-forward approach to phonics tutoring. I have even begun using it with my two-year-old to reenforce letter identification. The layout of the book allows each girl to go at her own speed, without frustration. There are adequate reviews, although you may wish to check out some of the author's support material for further reenforcement. Have a ready supply of easy readers on hand, because in a limited time your child will be able to read simple books, such as the Bob books and basic Dr. Seuss. Some children need extra stimuli (songs, etc.) to help them learn. For those that don't (and even some that do, like my second daughter) we have found that the Phonics Pathways approach offers a simple, slow and steady method that can serve as an entire phonics/spelling program, without muddling the process with too many extras. All learning types can benefit from this book. It is also an excellent boost for remedial readers, and I, as an avid reader and freelance writer, have appreciated the spelling refresher! One note: the author recommends learning to read and write each word from dictation before moving on. We found this to hinder the speed at which my first child could move along in her reading, since children naturally develop faster in some areas than others, so, although we use the book for spelling and phonics, we move her ahead in each area at different speeds. This has caused no difficulties whatsoever!

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Phonics Primer You Can Buy!!!, July 23, 2002

By	Cris Cunningham "loves to read" (Long island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Phonics Pathways (Paperback)

When I first purchased this book I had no idea what to expect. The reviews here were mixed, as were the testimonials I received from other sources. I went ahead and made the purchase, just to satisfy my own curiosity, and I can say confidently that it is worth TEN times the price.

Think of this as a complete, self-contained phonics kit. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING you need to teach your beginning, emerging and remedial reader is jammed into this gigantic 238-page workbook. Don't be dismayed by the lack of the usual visual components we homeschoolers always like to see (i.e., flashcards, tapes and CDs). If you have them and would feel more productive using them, then be my guest, but they are totally unnecessary, and may cramp your style (not to mention eat away precious time) if you purchase this book!

The power of this award-winning book lies in its simple graduated learning approach. Letters and spelling patterns are introduced one at a time through a sequential methodology. Students are first introduced to the short vowel sounds, then move on to learning the consonants. Next they learn the fine art of blending (explained thoroughly in a language even the most beginning reader will clearly be able to retain). The consonants are then combined with the vowels to make two-letter words and then three-word phrases and sentences which gradually increase in length and complexity. Blending utilizes what the author calls "eye-robics" -- the practice of training your eye muscles to track together smoothly from left to right across the page as you read sentences. It is an exercise that needs to be practiced daily.

This multi-sensory book has proven to be the single most valuable resource we have used in our homeschool. It is easy-to-use, self-teaching and lots of fun. You can also use the sentences given for dictation exercises.

This is a great find for those who are looking for a workbook-based phonics program but don't want to shell out big bucks.

5 Stars for its practical, resourceful and sound approach to teaching reading.