Bju Press Reading

Description

Providing a comprehensive range of skills, this program transitions from systematic phonics and decoding in the younger grades to reading comprehension in the higher grades. Students learn key strategies for reading comprehension as well as literary terms with a variety of wholesome, engaging stories from all genres including biographies, narrative exposition, historical fiction, Bible stories, and imaginary (fantasy). Biblical principles are taught as students discern what they read through the lens of the Bible. Using phonetic awareness activities to review phonics while developing comprehension in the younger levels, the series steadily progresses to higher order thinking and more challenging literary styles and techniques, including more composition/writing activities by grade 6.

The basal readers are colorful and have an appealing layout with a nice balance of open space and text. There is also a good mix of silent reading for comprehension and oral reading for communication while developing reading proficiency. Close reading strategies help students stay focused on key details while reading. Some levels have opportunities for longer readers with leveled novel studies.

Student worktexts contain practice pages to reinforce new vocabulary words and reading comprehension. A variety of other skills such as map and timeline reading, making a schedule, writing activities, and more are also included in the student worktext. This independent practice reinforces the reading and skills covered in the lessons.

The Teacher Editions contain complete lesson plans, with answered student pages (either full-size or reduced text). Lessons begin with skill development, then teaching, with optional reinforcement activities and discussion questions. Before reading begins, there are also suggestions for story introductions and interactive lessons. Because it is written for classroom instruction, there is a lot of information in the teacher guide; however, use this as a guide to meet the needs of your student. Grades 1-3 Teachers Editions come with a Toolkit CD; Grade 6 includes a DVD. Kits include all needed items: Teacher's Edition, Student Text, Student Worktext, and Teacher Worktext.

This complete reading program promotes a lifelong love of reading as students develop reading fluency and learn to look for quality literature they can read on their own. Personally, our family has used and enjoyed this program in our homeschools and our daughters use it in their homeschools too!

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.