Tag Archives: comprehension

Learn To Read With Reading Kingdom Review

Are you looking to improve your child’s ability to read and write? Then you might want to check out Reading Kingdom online interactive curriculum.

Reading Kingdom offers a better strategy than what has traditionally been offered to help kids improve their reading and writing skills, reduce academic failure, and reach reading proficiency.

Reading Kingdom

Reading Kingdom

Online Learning Program

Interactive Curriculum

Highly effective

Adapts To Each Child

Individualized Instruction

Research based

Ages 4-10

Retail $19.99 month ($9.99 additional child).

Reading Kingdom in an online learning program developed for students ages 4 to 10 to help them become proficient at reading and writing to a 3rd grade level.   It is fun to use and kids can use the program on their own.  Because it is filled with learning games and books, kids are motivated to use it each day.  Reading Kingdom works as a standalone curriculum or as a supplement to your curriculum.  Reading Kingdom works on any device with an internet connection (including Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, Chromebooks, etc.)

Reading Kingdom uses a patented strategy called the Phonics Plus decoding system created by Dr. Marion Blank, a developmental psychologist who is also one of the world experts on reading.  Learning with Reading Kingdom has been made available in a fun online interactive program by her son Jonathan Blank, an expert in computer software development.   Now families everywhere can have access to this award winning learning system to help kids learn to read and write.

The Phonics Plus decoding system is based on learning the meanings of words, the pattern sequencing of letters, and sounds that create meaning.

Sequencing:  recognizing patterns from left to right.
Writing: understanding letter placement on keyboard and writing through out the program.
Sounds (Phonics): sounding letter blends,
Meaning: understanding the meaning of words and their context.
Grammar: grammatical rules
Comprehension: remembering and understanding what has been read.

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The Department of Education reports that two out of three kids today are failing at reading and writing proficiency and Dr. Blank believes it is because they learned to read with phonics only.  There are many reasons why learning with phonics only fails to help so many kids.

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However, rather than just learning phonics only, Reading Kingdom teaches the Phonic’s Plus decoding system as foundational for mastering reading and writing proficiency.  This method brings reading, writing, and comprehension together. As students learn these skills, they will benefit both now and later in life as many of these skills overflow into other areas in a person’s life.

How It Works:

Reading Kingdom uses fun reading games, story books, and the Phonics Plus decoding strategy to boost each student’s skills and confidence in reading, writing, and comprehension.  When kids finish the program, they will have mastered above a third grade reading level.

Reading Kingdom contains 5 Levels.  Each level is adaptable for the skill level of the person using it, so it customizes itself per the child’s needs.  Each level builds upon the skills learned in the previous level.  Before moving forward it gets kids ready for the next level so both sets of skill levels flow smoothly together. A Progress Check (review quiz) is given after each level. More practice is given if needed, or if they have mastered everything, they are promoted to the next level.

Reading Kingdom is designed to be used 4 days per week. Each level is filled with several sessions and you complete one session each day.  Each session takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.  A child learns 1 new word or reads 1 new book during each session.

Below are a few examples of different skill levels.  The first picture shows the level, the number of new words, new words plus word variants, total new words, and new books learned in that level.  The second picture in each category below is an example of a learning game in that level.

Level 1

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Level 2

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Level 3

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Level 4

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Level 5

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The entire Reading Kingdom online program starting at the lowest level and working your way through to completing the highest level, is designed to take about 12 to 15 months to complete all the levels and skills.   However, an older child child who already has acquired some reading skills, takes the placement test and scores above the beginning level, etc. maybe able to complete the program quicker, perhaps in as little as 6+/- months.   This program could also be used for review for older students and ESL and remedial learning.  A child who is a struggling reader may take longer than average to complete.  The program is flexible and adapts to the skills of each child.  However if your student is on the Autism Spectrum or has other learning challenges, then you might want to check into another program Reading Kingdom has developed called ADS Reading.

Who is Dr. Blank?

Dr. Marion Blank

Dr. Marion Blank is known around the world as a literacy expert. She developed and directed the Light on Literacy Program. She has served on the faculty of Columbia University. She lectures around the world, and has authored several peer-reviewed articles and books. Dr. Blank has developed award winning teaching programs.  She is the author of the Reading Remedy and creator of the Reading Kingdom.

Video
Here is a short video about Reading Kingdom:

How We Used Reading Kingdom In Our Home

I was thrilled for my kids to have the opportunity to use Reading Kingdom.  We were given a one year subscription in exchange for writing an honest review about our experience.

My kids have been using the Reading Kingdom program for about 6 weeks, and have practiced almost daily during our language arts study time since getting the program.  I am using this program with my three youngest kids, ages 6, 8, and 10.  The 8 year old is the most consistent user.  He has averaged 4.3 days per week.  The 10 year old has averaged 3 days per week.  The 6 year old has an average of 2.3 days per week.

Sometimes the 6 year old isn’t as motivated as the 8 year old and 10 year old are to sit at the computer.  I think he has stopped a few times before his lesson was completely finished for the day, and I am not sure if that reduces the average number of days counted.  I think he will become more motivated to finish each lesson as he gains more skills.

This is our second time to use this program and I can see similarities in the ages in regards to skills and motivation.  We had a subscription to Reading Kingdom three years ago and the kids learned a lot at that time and loved it.  We were excited to see how much they have improved since then.

Each child has two options when starting the program.  The first option is for those starting at the beginning level and are just learning to read.  They can start at the very beginning with the very first lesson session.  The second option is to take a placement test to find out what skills the child already knows and where they should be placed.  The placement test has two parts, a keyboard typing test and a sequencing test.

Typing & Keyboard Test

Typing & Keyboard Test

These placement tests help the parent, and the Reading Kingdom program understand what skills the student already knows, and what skills they have yet to learn.  Because Reading Kingdom is an adaptable reading program, it responds to the child’s skill level and their ongoing progress.  It also recognizes what they don’t know because of the mistakes they are making, and provides extra support and training in those areas.  This helps customize the program to their learning level.

Sequencing Test

Sequencing Test

Since he is a beginning reader, I had my 6 year old start at the beginning level without taking the placement tests.  My 8 year old son and 10 year old daughter both took the placement test.  They took the letter sequencing test and a keyboard typing test.

The placement test put the 8 year old a little above where I thought it would.  He is a strong reader and quick learner and did well on the placement test.  It placed him on Level 3.  However the 10 year old struggled more while taking the test, as it is timed and she is slower to answer even if she knows the answer, and it started her in the middle of Level 1.  Both she and I thought she would place on a higher level.  It seem to us that because she struggled with speed on the placement test is the reason why she started at a lower level, and not because she didn’t know the answer.  Though she was a bit disappointed at first, it has turned out to be good review for her to go back over many of the words and practice them, and the parent report is showing she is getting an “excellent” score on her lesson sessions.

After the tests, and placement, then each kid can begin their sessions.  The program is set up to do 1 session a day, though you can do more.  After they log in, each of my kids have a dash board that shows their progress.

On the parent dashboard, I can go in to a tab and choose to review reports, change the level or speed for responses, or even set it to retake the test if needed.  For now, I have left everything at the default speed and mainly use my dashboard to review the reports.  Reports can also be downloaded and sent by email too.  I like the parent dashboard because it gives me a basic summary of how each child is progressing, what words they are learning and what words they are struggling with.

As a parent, I know each of my kids learn differently, some are fast and some are slow at picking up certain skills.  It is nice to have a curriculum that can adapt to their learning styles.

When my kids complete a level (or test out of a level) they have the option to print a diploma certificate for that level.

I would encourage other homeschool families to check out Reading Kingdom. You can help your child achieve reading proficiency when you team up with Reading Kingdom for the Phonics Plus solution to help your child succeed.

FREE

Try before you buy with FREE Sample Lessons. Reading Kingdom also offers a FREE Trial Offer, free worksheets, and many other free resources too.  They also have special discount offers to choose from when you subscribe.

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Homeschool Review Crew

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WordsBright Review

Need a fresh new way to teach the ABC’s to your little ones?  Then you might want to explore S is for Smiling Sunrise by WordsBright.

S is for Smiling Sunrise

S is for Smiling Sunrise

For children 3 and older
Beneficial for learning the English alphabet in a hands on cross curricular way.
32 pages
Hardback book (other options available)
Free MP3 song, poster, and teaching guides for teachers and parents.
Retails for $16.95

a is for art

When you purchase this book, it also includes several free items to further the learning experience:

Free word poster
Free MP3 song
Free parents guide
Free teacher’s guide

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About the Author

Vick Wadhwa is a father, author, entreprenuer, and pharmacutical scientist.  He wrote this book with his daughter in mind, to further her understanding of character qualities while learning her ABC’s.  He wrote poems for the alphabet and then put them to song music, and eventually created an award winning, brightly colored, fully illustrated book to enjoy and share the experience.

colors

Awards

Won several “BEST” awards:
2015 National Parenting Publications Award
USA Best Book Awards Finalist
I Love To Read Month featured book

How We Used This In Our Home:

We were really excited to be chosen to review this book.  My three and six year olds couldn’t wait for it to arrive. The three year old was especially excited and claimed the book as his own, letting all the other children know that this was his “schoolwork”.

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He loves listening to the song and following along in the book.  He asks me several times a day, “Play my song mommy!  Play my ABC song!”  He also loves to have an older sibling or mommy read the book to him.

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The book:  Each letter in the book shows the upper and lower case letter and features a special word as the focus. Under that is a brightly colored picture that relates to the word.  Under the picture is a poem that relates to the word and picture, and also includes descriptive words to explore further.   See the picture posted above for examples of “A  Artwork  a” , “B  Butterflies  b” and “C  Colors  c” and you can see examples of how the book is layed out.

The Song:  Puts the read aloud book to music.  Fun to sing along and look at the pictures.

Teachers Guide: Follows a pattern of teaching and exploring language and living ideas using each letter in the book.   Concepts like Beauty, Goodness, and Wonder are explored through rhymes and brightly colored pictures in the book, as well as a series of questions and activities for the parent /teacher to explore further after reading and singing each letter.

The same pattern is repeated for each letter to explore:
Concepts of living: How the word or related word picture relates to every day life, how it enriches life, how it relates to character, virtue, manners, and appreciation.
Questions: provoke deeper thought using the picture to spark ideas and discussion.
Vocabulary Words: from 3 to 12 new descriptive words that relate to the letter word.
Activities: hands on learning adventures to explore, create, and do with the child.

We were able to combine several learning activities while using the book, song, and guides. So many great ideas are included in the suggestions within the Teachers Guide. Many of these activities complimented the other learning activities we had going with the older kids.

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Some of the suggestions throughout the book include fun activities like:

Field Trips: go outside on a walk, visit the zoo, visit a planetarium, play at the park, visit an art museum,
Art: paint, color, sing, dance, crafts, etc.
Science Obeservations: butterflies, heart beat, observe nature outside, observe the night sky, plant a garden, observe colors, nutrition,
Math: time, time of day or night, observe parts of flowers, observation of time,
Character Virtue and Manners: give a gift, say thank you, inner and outer beauty, honesty,

and so much more.

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This would be a really fun book to make a scrap book of all the learning activities for, and do it like “rowing a book” or as a “letter of the week” and do a unit study for each letter following the suggestions in the Teacher’s Guide.

Video

Here is a video of the book, song, and activities in action:

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Wordsbright Review

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