The Reading Game , written by Kenneth Hodkinson, the author of Wordly Wise, is a stand alone reading program, to teach beginning readers, ages 4+, how to read. After all of the words have been memorized phonics can be used to make new words and sounds. By the time a student has played and memorized each of the six levels included in the game he will know 180 words and be able to read on his own.
Included with the game is an instruction booklet which clearly explains how to play the game. It also includes a word list for each card set along with test sentences to be used to gauge your student's readiness for the next level. You can download free assessment worksheets and class record sheets from the website.
The game is made up of six sets of cards each of which have six different levels to be played.
Six readers illustrated in black and white are also included.
Here is level one.
The game is played like a memory game. As you make each match you say the word three times and then set it in your pile. As soon as the child knows all the words in set one he moves on to set two and then all the way through set six.
As I played with my son I would hold my word matches up so he could see them as I read them three times. I also instructed anyone else who played with him to do the same. After a game I would test his knowledge of the words by using the cards as flashcards.
After he knows all six sets he can read the beginner reader which goes with the card set he just learned and then he starts working on the next level of cards. If he needs review you can use the cards he has already learned or have him read the previous level's reader.
How it works
My son enjoyed playing The Reading Game with me and his siblings. He never mastered the first set of cards, probably because we were not very consistent. When we played every day he remembered more than after we took a few days off.
I think this is a fun way to teach a child reading if you want to use the sight word method with phonics added after he knows the sight words. I like the bright colors of the cards and readers and the illustrations were well done. This is a gentle and child friendly method to teach reading.
To purchase visit The Reading Game website.
$24.95
I received a free game in order to write this review and have shared my honest opinion. If you would like to read more reviews of The Reading Game please visit TOS Homeschool Crew blog.
