Time for your "eyerobic" exercises! This phonics supplement from the author of Phonics Pathways is designed to strengthen eye tracking skills, a necessary component of fluent reading. Exercises are one of two types. The first type helps students sound out words one letter at a time, as successive letters are added. The name of the book comes from the second type of exercise, which is contained in a pyramid shape. At the top of the pyramid is one word. The next line contains the word in the first line, then adds another word. This pattern continues down the pyramid, with each line adding one or more words. The idea is to show that letters build into syllables, syllables build into words, words build into phrases, and phrases build into sentences. Students need to know their letters, consonant sounds, and short-vowel sounds to begin using the book. By the end of the book, students are reading multi-syllable, long-vowel words in sentences up to 20 words long.
Reading Pathways: Exercises to Improve Reading Fluency, 5th Edition
Description
Reading pyramids begins with one word, and slowly build into phrases and sentences of gradually increasing complexity. As the student moves from the pinnacle to the base of each pyramid, the phrase or sentence becomes a more interesting and expansive, and the student's confidence grows with each line completed. Progressively building up the amount of text per line increases eye span, strengthens eye tracking, and develops reading fluency. The book also features more challenging multi-syllable word pyramid exercises and games to further develop fluency and vocabulary. Learning to read long words by syllables removes the fear and mystique of multi-syllable words and helps students build the strong vocabulary so critical for success in reading and writing.
Phonics Pathways is a well-organized, systematic, and thorough phonics program that teaches reading and spelling with clear, incremental lessons. Written by Dolores Hiskes, this single-book program requires no preparation time. After a brief introduction, parents can sit down with their child and teach effective 10–15 minute daily lessons.
The program is complete on its own and works well for beginning readers, struggling students, and even older learners.
Key Curriculum Features:
- Systematic, incremental instruction that builds from individual sounds to words, syllables, phrases, and sentences
- Covers phonograms, contractions, plurals, homonyms, homophones, homographs, prefixes, suffixes, and compound words
- Large, easy-to-read font with black-and-white reproducible pages
- Built-in games and activities for reinforcement
- Short, clear instructions printed directly on the lesson pages
- 10th edition includes pictures for every sound, multi-syllable word division lessons, and nonsense-word reviews
- Also serves as a complete spelling reference
Program Components:
- Phonics Pathways (10th Edition): The complete, self-contained core book—no additional readers or materials are required
- Reading Pathways (optional supplement): Strengthens eye-tracking and reading fluency with pyramid-style exercises that progress from short words to longer sentences
Important Notes:
- One book is all that is needed for a full phonics and spelling program.
- Pages are reproducible for family use.
- Students need to know letter names and basic consonant/short-vowel sounds before beginning Reading Pathways.
Phonics Pathways curriculum stands out for its simplicity, thorough coverage, and proven effectiveness with minimal daily time investment. It is an excellent choice for homeschool families seeking a straightforward, no-prep phonics program that delivers strong results.
Browse all Phonics Pathways resources and sets below!
| Product Format: | Softcover Book |
|---|---|
| Grades: | PK-6 |
| Brand: | Jossey-Bass |
| Author: | Dolores G. Hiskes |
| ISBN: | 9780787992897 |
| Length in Inches: | 11 |
| Width in Inches: | 8.5 |
| Height in Inches: | 0.375 |
| Weight in Pounds: | 1.05 |
| Edition: | 5th Edition; Revised; Illustrated |
| Pages: | 135 |
| Publication Date: | 1/7/2013 |