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Starting with alpha-phonetic animals like Katie Kangaroo, Ollie Octopus, and Zippy Zebra (each engagingly illustrated), this creative and colorful material from Alpha Omega is a complete phonetically-based word recognition and reading program. With all the elements one expects to find in an excellent, easy-to-use program, basic concepts are approached in several ways for emphasis. Concepts are presented one at a time while review of previous material helps student achieve mastery. Sounds - the basic building blocks of reading - are presented phonetically and are practiced in words, word lists, word families, and short sentences. There is also a strong emphasis on general language arts skills and comprehension.

The Kindergarten program starts with letter recognition and consonant and short vowel sounds, but it also includes consonant digraphs and blends, silent “e,” double vowels, “r”controlled vowels, vowel diphthongs, beginning silent letters (w,k,b,g,gh,gn), “le”endings, and a few non-phonetic word families (alk, ph, old, ost, olt, ild ind). Proper nouns, sentences, and creative writing complement the spelling and vocabulary development for basic language arts instruction.

Reviewing previous concepts starts the First Grade coursework, which continues with vowel pairs, contractions, compound words, prefixes and suffixes, “x” words, “y” as a vowel, and irregular plurals. Language arts instruction includes capitalization, punctuation, writing lessons (stories, letters, personal narratives, poems, and journal entries), possessives, synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms as well as alphabetical order (to second letter).

Second Grade starts with a comprehensive review of phonics concepts and progresses to more advanced phonics (schwa sounds, triple consonant blends, inflected endings, final adjacent clusters, silent letters, and long vowel digraphs). There is more emphasis on reading fluency and comprehension at this level. Stories are 4-5 pages long, each one introduced by a maxim and a single introductory picture. Some stories take the student beyond the concrete into an imaginary make-believe world.

The Horizons courses are notable for their balance between teacher/student interaction and independent student work. The Teacher Guides include reduced copies of the consumable student workbooks. They provide easy-to-follow concept presentation and activities with clearly stated objectives. There is very little teacher preparation - just being familiar in advance with each lesson and collecting the necessary materials and supplies. These supplies are quite basic and readily available, such as a white board or chalkboard, phonics rules and word flashcards (made as needed), and a dictionary. The workbooks are bright and colorful. The student readers use a distinctive print font that is easy on the eyes and utilizes the forms of letters being taught (i.e. a manuscript “g” rather than the more typical printed “g”). Stories have noticeable moral content. There is either a review (kindergarten) or test (1st and 2nd grade) every ten lessons. Each course contains 160 lessons. The complete sets for each grade level include the student workbooks, readers, and teacher guides, but these items are also available for separate purchase. The K complete set also includes an alphabet floor puzzle and a small (8.5” x 11”) wipe-off lined writing “tablet” (board). ~ Janice

Customer Reviews

 
Charlann G. from Ohio wrote the following on 03/09/2012:
The 2011-2012 school year was my first experience with homeschooling. I didn't know where to turn or what to choose. For Reading and Phonics I picked Horizons because of their high ratings. My daughter and I did their 1st grade curriculum and could not have been happier! Their worksheets are bright, interesting, and engaging. The variety from section to section always kept things exciting, even when reviewing. I did not use the Teachers guide as much as I thought I would, but that was simply because the work is so straight forward and easy to understand. There was very little prep involved in using this program. I would highly recommend this wonderful and easy to use curriculum!

 
Marci S. from NC wrote the following on 08/10/2007:
After looking (and looking) over several phonics programs, I purchased Horizons Phonics K and could not have been more pleased with my choice. The student workbooks have colorful pages and the teacher's manual features a smaller copy of the student workbook pages (with answers filled in) which helps you and your child to read together. Simple teaching instructions are included in each lesson so that everything is located in one place. There is very little preparation which is a big plus! I have used this with my daughter and son and have loaned it to a friend to use so it has been well worth the money. Their learning styles are very different but both excelled with this program. When tested in reading both have been 2 or more levels higher than their actual grade. The set includes a small, lined dry erase board and marker, teacher's manuals, student workbooks, student readers and a puzzle poster featuring each letter of the alphabet with a drawing of an animal or object that begins with that letter. These drawings are also found throughout the workbooks. I did not cut up the puzzle poster but placed it on the wall for them to use when needed. This was helpful when alphabetizing words and also to remind them of what sound the letters make. I also purchased Horizons Phonics 1 and enjoyed using it.

 
Tina K. from Illinois wrote the following on 04/26/2008:
I thought this was a great program. It provides a very step-by-step approach to learning to read. My daughter could only read a few sight words when we started, and now she is almost at a 2nd grade reading level. I thought some lessons were a bit long, so I did divide some lessons in half. You do need the teacher's manual. As stated in another review, some of the pictures are a bit confusing. There is no teacher prep. I have a 3 year old, and I will use this program with her. I thought it was money well spent.