Back in the day, Plaid Phonics was known as MCP Plaid Phonics, a very
solid series of phonetic and word study skills. Instruction moves from letter
recognition in the K level, to alphabetizing, syllabication, and dictionary
skills in the upper levels. Built-in review of previously learned skills within the books helps student master concepts. They also contain some pages in
“standardized test format,” so you get a little test preparation as a bonus.
There is considerable overlap between levels, allowing you to jump in anywhere
in the program.
At each level, there is a consumable Student Workbook and a
Teacher Resource Book. Student Workbooks are in full-color and include
basic instructions on each page. Units are broken down into lessons with the
suggestion of completing 3-6 lessons per week. Although you can use the workbooks
as stand-alone supplementation and reinforcement, the Teacher Resource Guides
contain complete teaching information to use this as a phonics program. Teacher
Resource Guides are spiral-bound and include: pre-tests and post-tests,
lesson plans, teaching information, suggested activities, and noted
cross-curriculum connections. Homeschool Bundles include both the
student and teacher’s edition.