Uses the phonetic method of sounding out known and new words to help children learn how to pronounce short vowel sounds.

This is the third book of the First Reader Series, which is designed to teach children to read using the phonetic method. The goal of the phonetic method is to have children learn basic letter sounds and then "sound out" a word rather than simply memorizing the sound of an entire word. With the phonetic method, early readers will not be limited by the words that they have already seen. They will be able to sound out any new word that they encounter. This book introduces the reader to the long vowel sounds made by the letters A, E, I, O, U and Y.

These new readers are designed for first steps in independent reading. Short vowel decodable text is accompanied by helpful illustrations allowing children to gain a sense of real accomplishment as they manage to read the whole book.

Learning to read can be very difficult for children. It is important that the steps are small enough to ensure success. Many early reading children's books immediately cover all short and long vowel sounds together, which is very confusing for first time readers. Through my research, I have found that it is very important to introduce the vowel sounds one at a time. Since there are so many first time reading books that blend too many words with too many vowel sounds together this can be frustrating for children and sometimes makes them want to shut down and give up. Therefore, I created these books so that children can build their confidence when reading. Each book focuses on a particular vowel sound and starts out with simple words for success. First, practice the focus words with your child that are in each book. Next, each book is meant to be read by the parent to the child, then together, and eventually let the child try on their own. When reading the books, point to each word and each sound as you read it. Then, work on blending the sounds as you point to each sound with the child. Continue practicing the focus words in each book and reading to and with your child. Since each book focuses on one vowel sound, it helps them to succeed in building their reading skills by working on one book and therefore one vowel sound at a time. As your child builds confidence in one book, they can move to the next. Happy reading!

An educational toolkit for teaching phonics, consisting of a book, posters and musical CD, all of which provides for multiple options and inputs for learning, including: visual-icons, auditory and kinesthetic motor skill manipulations, as well as a variety of dramatic and emotive cuing-systems designed to target the affective learning domain. This "backdoor-approach" to phonemic skill acquisition is based on current neural research on Learning & the Brain--specifically how our brains actually learn best!The Secret Stories® primary purpose is to equip beginning (or struggling, upper grade) readers and writers, as well as their instructors, with the tools necessary to easily and effectively crack the secret reading and writing codes that lie beyond the alphabet, and effectively out of reach for so many learners! It is not a phonics program! Rather, it simply provides the missing pieces learners need to solve the complex reading puzzle--one that some might never solve otherwise! The Secrets(tm) are sure to become one of the most valuable, well-used, and constantly relied-upon teaching tools in your instructional repertoire!

A wonderful introduction to early language arts skills, "First Start Reading" covers consonants, short & long vowels, common words, and manuscript priting. Simple, effective, and reasonable, this enjoyable curriculum accompanies the lessons with artist-drawn coloring pictures and drawing pages for every letter. Workbook A features coloring pages with items with the same beginning letter as the accompanying handwriting page; students trace letters and can draw their own picture. Short stories are included in the back (with room to again draw a picture), and a word mastery list is provided. Workbook B includes the letter pages, short stories, and word mastery list, as well as room to write in dictation exercises Workbook C features handwriting practice that focuses more on words, longer stories, and a word mastery list.

Learning to read can be very difficult for children. It is important that the steps are small enough to ensure success. Many early reading children's books immediately cover all short and long vowel sounds together, which is very confusing for first time readers. Through my research, I have found that it is very important to introduce the vowel sounds one at a time. Since there are so many first time reading books that blend too many words with too many vowel sounds together this can be frustrating for children and sometimes makes them want to shut down and give up. Therefore, I created these books so that children can build their confidence when reading. Each book focuses on a particular vowel sound and starts out with simple words for success. This book focuses on the short vowel E sound. Each book is meant to be read over and over by the parent, then together, and eventually let the child try on their own. When reading the books, point to each word and each sound as you read it. Then, work on blending the sounds as you point to each sound with the child. There are lists of the focus words at the beginning of each book to practice reading to and with your child. Since each book focuses on one vowel sound, it helps them to succeed in building their reading skills by working on one book and therefore one vowel sound at a time. As your child builds confidence in one book, they can move to the next. Happy reading!