Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I can't say enough about this product. We have the older version, however, it's the same K-2nd curriculum. It has a set of cards with just the alphabet, then a set with the sounds the alphabet makes, a set of letters to make words and a set with helper words (words that phonetically do not sound out.) Each level has workbooks where the kids learn new sounds for x amt of pages then they read a story or a book. They have a map to put stickers on after completing their story or book. When they have reached the end of the map, they have completed a level. It also has a cd with a software program for the kids to play to aid in learning their letters and the sounds.
My first child used it started at age 3.5yrs, my second wouldn't have anything to do with it until 5yrs. My first would sit with me the duration of the lesson, the second would only sit with me for 10 min then went off to play. We would have to work on it several times a day with my second child instead of one full sitting. The key to remember when using this is,every child learns differently and the instructions are guidelines. Add or delete things per your child's needs. We never used the tapes- couldn't get either child to sit for them. We gave up on doing the "review words" with my son, but with my daughter we managed to get to level 5 doing them. By level 5, we just did the review words that I knew she needed help with. Since they did not do the review words we had them read the stories/books twice. Once to myself and once to my husband. Always give a lot of praise once they finish the book. We gave rewards for finishing a level- bowling, ice skating, miniature gold, fishing, going to the snow-- whatever outing they wanted to do. We did get a little behind in the rewards so instead of one outing we ended up giving ice skating lessons through the local rec. center to make up for all the "owed" celebrations. We found that when they said a word wrong the best technique was to not say the word correctly for them but to tell them what sound a letter made and let them try the word over.
Once they completed this program, they went right into the Master Reader. My son is in first grade and has been reading chapter books for the last year. He loves to read and reads every night when he goes to bed. My daughter is in Kindergarten and she just completed her first chapter book in the Master Reader program.
We have two more children that we will be using the HOP program when they are able. If I could give more stars I would! We love this program. If your child has started reading already and is struggling with compound words, the Master Reader is for them. My kids liked it because they got to be on the computer for a while besides sitting and reading a workbook.
Also, my daughter struggled a little with knowing whether it was a short or long vowel sound when trying to sound out the words. She had a supplemental curriculum that used the symbols that helped her a lot. If your child struggles with knowing when to use the short vs long sound (even though they are being taught about the silent e) try adding the short and long symbols above the vowels on a few pages in the workbook until they get the hang of it.
Hope this helps.
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