Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

A New Year’s Resolution That I Finally Kept

2011-12-14T11:40:00.000-08:00

I first started using Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read with my son as one of this year’s--many--New Year’s Resolutions. But unlike other resolutions, such as losing weight and getting my Master’s degree, this was one I actually followed through with.

It was a time of new beginnings. Eli was five and had just started Kindergarten. Since his birthday is late, my husband and I had planned to give him the “gift of a year” and hold off sending him to Kindergarten until he was six. We had enrolled him in a private early childhood school, but it turned out that it wasn’t a good match for him. So, after some consideration and a whole lot of angst, we pulled Eli out of the private setting in December and enrolled him in public Kindergarten. It was January and he had already missed half of the year.

When the public school evaluated Eli, they found he wasn’t reading, nor was he able to sound out (or decode) words at all. Unfortunately, as anyone who lives in New England knows, Mother Nature hasn’t been terribly supportive of kids going to school in 2011. During the first month of Kindergarten, we practically had more snow days than school days. While the kids loved it, all of the time off made this already Type-A mommy stress out even more. I couldn’t imagine how my little guy was ever going to catch up. My husband and I began to entertain the idea of holding him back for another year of Kindergarten.

At the same time, my company had just purchased Hooked on Phonics. I had heard about the reading program, but had never used it myself. So, we decided to give it a try with Eli. It couldn’t hurt, right? When I popped in the Kindergarten Level 1 DVD for the first time, my son (who normally isn’t allowed to watch TV) was mesmerized. “More!” he demanded when it was over. As a mom who works full time outside the home, I thought, “This is great!” and I promptly made dinner. Then feeling a tad guilty, I left the mac ‘n cheese on the table and spent a few minutes to go through the workbook lesson with him. Afterward (no kidding!) he read his first little “story.” Sure, it wasn’t a Pulitzer Prize winner. It pretty much consisted of “Hat. Cat. Pat cat. Cat sat . . .” But I’m telling you, he DID it himself! He was hooked. So what if dinner was cold? My kid actually read something! What more can I ask?

Did You Know...

2011-12-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the DVDs for the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read program have a bunch of extra learning videos to supplement the videos for the lessons? On the main menu of the DVD, just click on the "Extras" box for the Pre-K and Kindergarten levels and the "Shared Reading" box for the First Grade and Second Grade levels. Here's an example of one of the videos:

Everybody Sing The Alphabet With Me Video

2011-11-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

This new ABC Song is part of the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read program.

Sorry, it's been a while!

2011-11-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since we've posted anything to the Hooked on Phonics blog. Here's an update on some of the things Hooked on Phonics has been working on:

1. We're finishing up a new infomercial that will launch at the beginning of 2012. We're very excited about the new infomercial and we hope you enjoy it.
2. We've got some great new deals that we'll be sharing next week for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
3. We've been working to get Hooked on Phonics on the shelves of several major retailers. Please be sure to visit your local Target or Barnes and Noble to find our products.

We'll start posting more frequently again, we promise!

Columbus Day Fun for You and Your Child

2010-10-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Columbus Day!

While you may not have a chance to experience New York City's amazing Columbus Day parade in person, there's no reason you can't take time out to enjoy this special day with your child -- and celebrate the spirit of exploration and discovery that Christopher Columbus stands for!

Why not go on an exploring adventure in your neighborhood, or a local park? Head down to the library for a peek at the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria? Or try one of these other fun Columbus Day activities that your child will definitely love.

Get out and start exploring!

Everyone Loves a Mystery, Especially Kids

2010-10-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a mystery? I'm sure there's someone (it's a mystery to me who it could be...) but it's certainly not young readers -- they love them!

Mysteries are a great way to teach young readers critical thinking and problem solving, and the thrill of the chase as you tear through a real page turner is one reason our love of books will be forever strong.

The year 2010 has been designated the "Year of the Children's Mystery Book," and each October, KidsLoveAMystery.com celebrates mysteries with online games, teaching tools and fun activities to share with your kids.

Do you have a favorite mystery series? Be sure to share it. I still have a treasured box of Hardy Boys books in the attic...or is it the basement? Another mystery to be solved!

Some other recommendations include Gordon Korman's 39 Clues series, R.L. Stein's Goosebumps series, the Encyclopedia Brown series from Donald J. Sobol, and Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House books.

And speaking of mysteries, here's one for you, dear reader. What actress played Nancy Drew, one of the most popular children's mystery characters of all-time, and also starred in the television drama "Dynasty"?

Not a difficult case to solve, if you had a TV in the 80s...or www.imdb.com.

The Perfect Learning Tool for Kids...And They Deliver!

2010-10-05T07:26:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about pizza. (Though if you're ever stuck for a way to explain to your kids how a pie chart works, I recommend a half plain, half pepperoni.)

One of the best ways to engage your kids with reading and language -- and in the process, give them a real-time sense of the world around them -- is with the daily newspaper.

In honor of National Newspaper Week, take some time to share your local paper with your child. There's so many ways a newspaper can encourage learning, creativity and curiosity. Things like:

1. Try a word search. Has your child just learned a new vocabulary word? Pick an article and see if you can find the word there, or words that start with the same letter, or words that mean the same thing.

2. Make me laugh. Give your child a section of the paper, and take one yourself. See who can find something funny the fastest.

3. Shopping list. Look through circulars or advertisements and see if you can find brands or items you use in your home.

4. Learning the "5 W's". Read an article together, or have your child read one aloud. Then try to identify the basic tenants of any good story: who, what, where, when, and why.

5. Time capsule. Does your child have a birthday coming up, or an other special day to remember? Make sure you save a newspaper from that day, or look online for headlines from the day he or she was born. Or, share the headlines from the day YOU were born. ("Daddy, who was Richard Nixon? And what's AM radio?")

And even when you're done reading, the fun isn't over. Paper mache anyone? Super-cool newspaper hats? A boat that actually floats?

Plus, here's a great printout to make your own newspaper story, along with a colorful picture, courtesy of Crayola.

Long live newspapers!

Learn to Read In The Home Video

2010-09-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is your partner in building a confident reader, one step at a time.

Learn to Read Video-Learn New Sounds

2010-09-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Learn New Sounds is part of Hooked on Phonics® Learn to Read Kindergarten and is designed for children ages 4 to 6.

Why Learn to Read Works Reason #9: Stories

2010-09-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Stories: The new Learn to Read stories and storybooks emphasize readability, storytelling, and reinforces the process of putting sounds together to make words and sentences.

Parent Video Testimonial for Learn to Read

2010-09-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

We have received hundreds of testimonials from parents who have used Hooked on Phonics over the years and want to share their story. Our educational specialists have teamed up with award-winning artists and authors to create the best Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read yet. Hear what Dan has to say about the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read.

Why Learn to Read Words Reason #8: Multisensory Approach

2010-09-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Multisensory Approach:
The new Learn to Read uses a multisensory approach to achieve maximum success by incorporating different types of learning styles: visual, auditory, and manual.

Another Parent Video Testimonial For Learn To Read

2010-09-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

We have received hundreds of testimonials from parents who have used Hooked on Phonics over the years and want to share their story. Our educational specialists have teamed up with award-winning artists and authors to create the best Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read yet. Hear what Melissa has to say about the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read.

Why Learn to Read Works Reason #7: Learning Letter Shapes

2010-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Learning Letter Shapes: Learning letter shapes by tracing them is a sure way to build your child's confidence in letter recognition.

Learn to Read First Grade Unit 1 Lesson

2010-09-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Phonics Sounds First Grade is part of the Hooked on Phonics® Learn to Read First Grade and is designed for children ages 4 to 6.

Why Learn to Read Works Reason #6: Bite-Sized Learning

2010-09-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Bite-Sized Learning: Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read uses short lessons that help keep children interested, engaged, and eager to learn.

Parent's Testimonial For Learn to Read

2010-09-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

We have received hundreds of testimonials from parents who have used Hooked on Phonics over the years and want to share their story. Our educational specialists have teamed up with award-winning artists and authors to create the best Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read yet. Hear what Joe has to say about the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read.

Why Learn to Read Works Reason #5: Systematic Phonics

2010-09-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Systematic Phonics:
The new Learn to Read provides growing readers with the foundation they need to succeed with a proven Learn-Practice-Read approach to teaching phonics.

Why Learn to Read Works Reason #4: Great Authors

2010-09-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Great Authors:
The new Learn to Read includes books written by renowned authors, experienced in making fun and engaging books for kids.

Iowa Brothers Star on the Field and In the Classroom

2010-08-30T09:02:00.001-07:00

When you give your child the Hooked on Phonics advantage, there's no telling what that spark of confidence and academic head start will mean to his future.

Just look at what happened to Nate and Jeremy Snead of Pella, Iowa.

When their father started using Hooked on Phonics with his two boys, it became another fun way to express their sibling rivalry. Who would answer the question first?

This foundation for learning and achievement was a jumpstart to an academic career that propelled both brothers to honor student status, when they weren't starring on the football field, with Nate at quarterback and Jeremy his favorite receiver.

Today they're part of a Division III Central College team that's ranked #7 in the nation, in no small part to this potent offensive combination, with both Snead brothers garnering All-Conference honors.

Way to go, Snead brothers. We'll be rooting for you this fall!

Learn to Read First Grade Lesson 1 Visual Phonics Video

2010-08-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

This video is part of the Hooked on Phonics® Learn to Read First Grade and is designed for children ages 6 to 7. This video uses Visual Phonics to teach -ch and -sh sounds.

Why Learn to Read Works Reason #3: Flexible and Graduated

2010-08-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Flexible and Graduated: The new Learn to Read program can be used once a week or everyday of the week depending on what is right for you and your child. Each lesson and grade level builds upon what was previously learned for a systematic learning experience.

Monday Inspiration -- Dogs Helping Kids Learn to Read

2010-08-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dogs don't judge. They don't make fun. And they're always ready to lend an ear (or two). What better audience for a child who needs some extra reading practice?

As a recent study shows, the family pet might be just the teaching tool your child needs to help make him a confident reader! Children who read out loud to dogs over a 10-week period saw improvements of 12% vs. those kids who did not read to a dog. And I'm sure the dogs had fun too -- especially if the reading was accompanied by a scratch behind the ears or a pat on the head.

Reading to a dog means a chance to read without a fear of making mistakes, or worries about struggles or hesitation. It's an opportunity to practice freely and openly, with an attentive audience always at the ready.

Has your child ever tried it?

Would it work with a cat or a bird (maybe not a parrot)? What do you think?

Hooked on Phonics Video Testimonial: Logan

2010-08-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Logan was in the process of being held back, but through the exciting and engaging programs from Hooked on Phonics .... Logan is now confident and learning at a different pace.

Why Learn to Read Works-Reason #2: Experience and Research

2010-08-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com/

Experience and Research: With 20 years of experience helping children learn to read and a year of research, Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is new, fresh, and exciting.The new Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics.

Hooked on Phonics Video Testimonial: Hannah, Age 7

2010-08-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com/

See how Hannah was able to turnaround her difficulties with reading to something she truly enjoyed with fun activities through Hooked on Phonics.

Because Every Child Deserves A Book

2010-08-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

The difference between success and struggle can come down to the simplest of things. For many of us, the idea of a home without books, or a neighborhood without a library, seems unimaginable.

For those who can't afford or even gain access to books, it's like someone's cutting off their educational oxygen. Books are a cornerstone for learning, and hardly a luxury, but for many, the idea of owning or even borrowing books regularly is nothing but a dream.

It shouldn't have to be this way, especially for young kids whose minds are thirsting for knowledge and adventure.

Thanks to wonderful organizations like Books for Kids, it isn't that way for hundreds of children anymore.

Books for Kids creates libraries within existing children's centers, supplying everything from books to kid-friendly furniture, creating an environment that nurtures young children and puts them on a path to success. The organization also collects and distributes books to other charitable groups, so the power of books can reach as far and wide as possible.

Hooked on Phonics is proud to be a sponsor of Books for Kids, and we encourage you to lend them your support. To learn more about Books for Kids and their valuable and worthy programs, visit their website at www.booksforkids.org.

Why Learn to Read Works - Reason #1: An Incredible Library Of Books

2010-08-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

Incredible Library: Each lesson of the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read leads to an exciting and colorful book; and there's no greater reward for your child than to read a book to celebrate his success.

For more info: http://www.tryhookedonphonics.com

Monday Inspiration

2010-08-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

You're likely familiar with the Hooked on Phonics catch phrase "It worked for me!" But did you know that the Learn to Read program can work for you, even if you're not a native English speaker?

It did for Jesse Gemerson Novakski, who was adopted from Brazil at the age of 5 after spending the previous two years in a Brazilian orphanage.

Today, Jesse is a college graduate, and he's started a quest to find out more about his native homeland, and the birth family there he's never known.

Good luck Jesse!

What's your inspiring Hooked on Phonics story? We want to hear about it!

Lemonade Stand Economics

2010-07-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Most people think the recipe for lemonade is water, sugar and lemons.

In my house, it's kids, boredom, and 100+ degree summer heat.

This past weekend, with record temperatures outside and rampant boredom inside, my kids decided to test their entrepreneurial muscles with an old fashioned lemonade stand. They didn't know it at the time, but their fun activity was really summer school in disguise, with lessons in marketing, economics, mathematics and social studies.

It also proved to be a good learning laboratory for management. Overheard: "Delaney, enough cookies. You're eating all the profits!"

Much to my surprise, my kids turned a healthy profit, before succumbing to the scorching sun. Of course, it's easier to make money when your venture capital firm (Dad) doesn't require you to pay back the small business loan, instead forgiving it in exchange for a tall glass with extra ice.

Reminded me a little of a Reading Rainbow episode from years ago. Levar Burton connects the lemonade stand to the New York Stock Exchange while teaching kids about math, and also visits with Nantucket Nectors, the "Juice Guys."

Maybe this exercise in small business will mean I've raised a couple Juice Guys of my own. I hope so: I could use some free Half & Half...

The Power of Books in the Home

2010-07-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Can simply having more books in the house predict your child's academic future? Does the actual number of books make a difference?

An interesting study of households around the world provides some insight -- and showcases the power of books, and why strong reading skills can be a jump-start to academic success.

Of course, most people associate home "libraries" with affluence, but even in poor and rural parts of China, children in families with the most books in the home get the most education.

This is true even when controlling for factors like parental education, parents occupations, gender, nationality, the political system of the country, and yes, even wealth.

Columnist Jay Matthews has an interesting review of the study in the Washington Post. Check it out...then go to your library, and check out a book for your child!

Inspiring Story for a Monday

2010-07-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, I hate Mondays.

I despise Mondays that involve a flat tire before I even leave my garage most of all. (Thank you, roofing nail.)

And no, pictures of cats with crazy hair and wacky captions aren't going to do it today. Sorry.

But this story did manage to lift that Monday cloud, and I feel doubly inspired to get down to business.

I challenge you not to feel the same way, when you read the story of teenager Destiney Johnson and the man she reached out to in a time of need, Ronnie Johnson (no relation).

Ronnie's hard-scrabble life had taken a turn for the worse, and when salon owner Suzan Dickerson extended a hand with some food, he offered his prized possession as a gesture of thanks, his time-worn Bible.

Though Ronnie took great solace in the scriptures, at age 57, the book was a reminder of a secret he'd kept his whole life. Ronnie couldn't read.

So Suzan took time to read to him on occasion, trying to brighten what was otherwise a difficult struggle on a daily basis.

That's when Destiney stepped in.

She made it her mission to teach Ronnie to read. And she's using Hooked on Phonics to do it!

Destiney, you're truly an inspiration. And best wishes to you, Ronnie. You've taught us all that it's never too late, especially if you have the will...and the helping hand of someone like Destiney.

Happy Monday!

Summer Reading

2010-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I am the youngest of nine children, and that ranking comes with many, many nieces and nephews. Last year around this time, my oldest nephew graduated from high school and left for the Air Force Academy, while one of my nieces graduated from kindergarten. This year it’s another niece who will be attending my own alma mater, Virginia Tech, and still a different niece who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. As it turns out, for the past 14 years, I have had a niece or nephew graduate from kindergarten every year, and for the next 13 there will be one graduating high school.

Graduation, from kindergarten through high school, makes everyone think “School’s out! Off for the summer!” This brings to mind the importance of summer reading. Teachers of young students everywhere will tell you about the strain of the summer reading gap: those months between the last day of school and the first day of the new school year when students revel in their “freedom” from homework and learning, then return and have to “relearn” much of what was lost over the summer. This doesn’t just happen to struggling readers, though it’s hardest on them.

This summer, be proactive with your children. This is the time to help them see reading not as part of homework but as a leisure activity. Remember when our lives actually included leisure activities? Remember lying on the beach with a fantastic novel that you chose yourself and no one was going to quiz you about the next day? Sometimes children who are just learning to read haven’t quite grasped the luxury that reading affords. Reading is a necessity, but it can also be a luxury.

So this summer, make it a point to find lots of reading materials that will get your child excited about reading. Look not only for standard books, but for comic books and magazines and the backs of cereal boxes. If you are doing any traveling this summer, hop on the Web and find some good books about the places you’re going. Let your child help plan the vacation by reading up on it and becoming invested in the destination.

I often hear parents say their children have much more homework now than when they were children. Use this summer to give your kids a break by showing them that reading IS a break. It’s a lesson they’ll practice from kindergarten graduation throughout the rest of their lives.

Happy reading!

*Special thanks to Jennifer Young for the use of her art. www.jenniferyoung.com

Children's Books I Love, Father's Day Edition

2010-06-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

In belated honor of Father's Day, it's time to share my favorite children's books, otherwise known as "Books Kids Love, and Ones This Dad Loves to Read to Them."

How does a book make it on this super exclusive list? It's simple.

First, it has to be something my kids love. Both of my kids have fairly extensive libraries of books. I must have read hundreds of books to them over the years. But to make this list, both my son and my daughter have to be fans.

Second, this book has to hold up on a fourth or seventh or seventy-fifth reading. If you've ever struggled through a dead boring children's book only to hear the dreaded "Again!!", you know what horror awaits if you don't choose wisely.

Third, this book has to appeal to adults too (namely me). An actual theme. Outstanding illustrations. Solid writing. Laughs (or even tears). My kids know when I'm enjoying a book, and they enjoy it so much more when I'm into it too.

So, without further ado, the winners are:

1. Bark George, by Jules Feiffer. This proves that a book doesn't have to be complicated or involved to work on every level. It's a quick read that kids can master fast. The illustrations are simple but hilarious. And it lends itself perfectly to a high energy "Dad read" to really amp up the laughs. My all-time favorite.

2. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, by Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Another classic, a Caldecott Honor book, this is one of the few books that worked equally well when my kids were very young and still engages them now that they're well into reading on their own. It has great repetition for the youngest kids but a real story and terrific illustrations that older kids enjoy too.

Be forewarned though: this book falls into that trap of a runaway classic spawning a series of so-so (or worse) follow-ups. (I'm looking at you, If You Take A Mouse to the Movies: A Special Christmas Edition).

3. Anything from the Henry and Mudge Series by Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Sucie Stevenson. A great introduction to chapter books, the Henry and Mudge stories share the adventures of a young boy and his lovable dog, Mudge. Cute enough to engage your kid, with bits and pieces of sarcastic wit that will make you chuckle to yourself. My favorite in the series is Henry and Mudge and the Happy Cat, though so many of them are good it's hard to pick a bad one.

4. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Illustrated by Anita Jeram. You know it, you love it. Everyone knows it and loves it. But I can't read this book without tearing up. Call me a sap if you must, I don't care. It's a simple, beautiful premise that's flawlessly executed. Kids love it and you'll love reading it to them. What more could you ask for?

Have a favorite of your own? Share it in the comments, and happy reading.

And happy belated Father's Day to all the Dads!

Shop our Overstocks and Save 70% or More!

2010-06-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

Summer's in full swing, but at Hooked on Phonics, we're doing Spring Cleaning! That means huge savings on overstocks and classic versions of our most popular programs.

You never know what you'll find when you sweep out the warehouse, and this time was no exception...

We've just discovered a small quantity of our flagship Learn to Read program -- they're brand-new condition, and the same award-winner that millions have used successfully -- but they're the 2006 edition.

To make room for our new Learn to Read, we've got to move these out...at an amazing $59.95! That's a savings of $140 each!

And, first-come, first served, for readers ages 7+ we also have the Windows XP versions of Master Reader -- at an even lower $49.95! This is your chance to save 75%!

Hurry. These deals will not last, and when they're gone...they're really gone.

Shop all our overstocks before it's too late. You'll find deals on Hooked on French, Discover Reading Toddler and more!

The Classics Are Forever!

2010-06-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

Like many people in metro areas, particularly the DC/Baltimore metro where we are based, I have a very long daily commute in my car. I go through cycles where I listen to music, I listen to NPR, or I listen to books on tape. I have been on a classics kick lately, choosing books that I read when I was much younger but only vaguely remember. I find these books require me to listen a little more closely in order to follow along, and I can’t tune out or I’ll miss something. As a result, my drive seems to go a little more quickly. I just finished 1984 and now I’m “reading” Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

As a producer, I often receive children’s book samples from publishers. We recently got a batch from Sterling Publishing, one of which I was thrilled to see was a children’s version of Great Expectations, “retold from the Charles Dickens original.” It’s a 145-page book written for a 9- to 11-year-old. I read through the first few chapters of this book, and I think it’s an excellent version. It follows the story closely while still being accessible to a young person today. There are some great illustrations as well.

It’s easy to forget about the classics when so many new and incredible books are being published every day. But as I wrote about awhile back in my Alice in Wonderland post, the classics provide a major foundation for so many of today’s cultural references.

If you can’t get your hands on one of these “retold” classics for your child to read on his own, consider reading them together. It’s a good opportunity for discussion (trust me, there will be lots of questions) and a great vocabulary builder. Our language has changed dramatically even in just a few decades, never mind 150 years ago, and the classics have a way of using those million-dollar words seamlessly. You might even throw in a game of Scrabble when you’re finished!

Happy reading!

National Spelling Bee Features HOP Graduate!

2010-06-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

As the nation gears up for the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, contestants from around the U.S. -- and around the world -- will gather to show off their skills.

I know here at Hooked on Phonics, we'll be rooting for one participant in particular, 13-year old Matthew Zizi of Virginia.

Not only is Matthew an accomplished musician and big-time sports fan, he's also a Hooked on Phonics alum! Way to go Matthew!

Click here to read Matthew's story. And in honor of Matthew, and all the Spelling Bee participants, we're offering great Summer Savings on Hooked on Spelling. Get it now, save an amazing $15, and maybe we'll be reading about your child next!

Did You Catch the HOP Shout Out on "Lost"?

2010-05-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

If you're like me -- a fan of both Hooked on Phonics and "Lost" -- you might have caught a brief homage to HOP on the pre-finale retrospective last night.

Did you hear it? Let's see how many of you were paying attention...

I'm curious to see how many of you heard the Hooked on Phonics reference. Who was in the scene? What were they doing? First one with the right answer just might get a great prize.

And if you can fully explain the show to me, you deserve another prize too!

Cake Wrecks Says it All

2010-05-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Adina recently sent me this link to one of her favorite blogs called "Cake Wrecks." It's an old post from May 31, 2009 with some amazing cakes inspired by favorite children's books. These are some our favorites, too, so I wanted to pass it along.
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/05/sunday-sweets-reading-rocks.html

Watch out world, we're back!

2010-05-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hooked on Phonics is getting back to its roots. We’ve been around for 20+ years, and we made a big splash back in the day with our famous catch phrase, “It worked for me!” Starting today, we’re back on the air with a new infomercial airing all across the country. With 20 years under our belt, kids who used Hooked on Phonics way back then are now all grown up, and some of them are even raising kids of their own! We tracked down some people who had used Hooked on Phonics when they learned to read, to hear what they are doing now and how Hooked on Phonics worked for them.

Our new infomercial features a young lady who learned to read at school with Hooked on Phonics 10 years ago. Her name is Shavonda Gates. You can hear her inspiring story by watching for our show on TLC and Hallmark Channel, to name a few.

Here is another story from Nicole Callan.

“As children, my brother and I were excited to learn long before we went to school, and my parents were always looking for ways to encourage us. Whether we were racing down the sidewalk or practicing for Little League, we were always competing, and learning to read was no exception. As the older sibling, my brother went to preschool first. My parents knew that I desperately wanted to go with him, but it would be another year before I would be old enough. Instead, my parents bought me Hooked on Phonics, and I made it past a first-grade reading level before he did! Hooked on Phonics fostered my excitement for learning at a young age, and I still remember the confidence I felt when it was finally my turn to get on the school bus.
Over a decade later, I graduated from high school in Newtown, Pennsylvania, and moved to New York to study political economy at New York University. I finished college in three and a half years and moved to Washington, DC, after graduation. Currently, I work in the United States Senate, and my bookshelf continues to grow!

“When I hear about Hooked on Phonics, it still puts a smile on my face. If you have a child who wants to learn, Hooked on Phonics will work for her!”

Did you or someone you know learn to read through Hooked on Phonics? Let us know! We’d love to share your story.

*Results not typical.

Children's Book Week!

2010-05-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Did you know it is Children’s Book Week? At Hooked on Phonics, we feel like every week is Children’s Book Week, but I thought it was worth highlighting.

I was thinking about the children in my life and their favorite books. My niece Lila, who will be five in July, loves the book The Berenstain Bears’ Big Bear, Small Bear by Stan and Jan Berenstain. This is a Step into Reading book series.

Lila loves this book because she likes to “read” it to her parents. She has heard the story enough times to know most of the words, and she uses pictures to help her when she can’t remember. For example, she refers to the big bowl as a big cup and she loves getting to say the words, “Just right! Just right!” She isn’t reading in the technical sense, but she’s definitely on her way!

For children, “reading” the story to their parents is a big deal! And it’s an exciting part of the process in the development of a new reader. It doesn’t matter to Lila that she can’t actually read the words, just yet. It’s empowering for her that she understands enough of the process to turn the pages and tell a story and understand that there are actually words on a page that convey a message. This is all part of print awareness—an important element to reading readiness.

At Hooked on Phonics we encourage parents to read with their children—even just 20 minutes a day. Those 20 minutes are critical to setting up a lifetime of good habits. If you haven’t already been doing this, take this week to instill a new ritual in your home. Let your child “read” to you!

What books will you read for Children’s Book Week?

Remembering Stella, and the Books That Got Us Through

2010-05-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

The most troubling thing was how quiet the house had become.

With two kids, six and nine, our home is rarely silent. That was especially true with Stella in the mix, our Shepherd/who-knows-what pound puppy mutt ambling through the house. Stella was always there to stand guard over late night fridge raids and early morning walks, and everything in between.

And now she was gone.

Succumbing to a host of illnesses and general old age, Stella made it to 11 years and then suddenly, she passed away. My wife Kelly and I were hardly prepared. I was certainly in denial as Stella began to slow down, to struggle through her days.

My kids seemed not to notice at all. Now we had left the house that morning with Stella, and we were coming home without her.

Not knowing what to do, or how to break the news, Kelly suggested we find a book or two that might help our children understand what had happened, and give us a way to ease into a conversation none of us wanted to have.

We settled on Saying Goodbye to Lulu, by Corinne Demas, and Remembering Ruby, by Melisa Wells. Both felt age-appropriate for our two avid readers. They've been devouring books since they first learned to read, and our hope was the right ones would help them find comfort and understanding at their own pace.

Most important, these books gave us a way to break through the shock and despair, to show the kids that they certainly were not alone.

It worked. Both books are beautifully written and illustrated, perfect for the kids but in hindsight, perhaps too emotional for me. The thought of coming home from work to find my wife and daughter reading Saying Goodbye to Lulu still shakes me a little. I tried to keep it together, but ultimately had to leave the room so my muffled tears wouldn't interfere.

Kids are strong, surprisingly so. They've come to terms with their loss, though we speak of Stella often and our fridge has become a bit of a shrine of photos and sketches.

Books aren't just a way for your children to leap ahead in school, they're a pathway towards understanding the world around them. When you teach a child to read, it's an incredible gift. Treasure it.

Hopefully the next book we choose will be about the excitement of a new puppy. We can't ever really replace Stella, but we can't stand the quiet either. Suggestions are welcome!

Every Mom is a Superwoman

2010-05-05T08:20:00.001-07:00

Mother’s Day is on Sunday and as a tribute to my own mother I’m reposting a blog that generated lots of comments the first time around.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Do you remember when you learned to read?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot as we approach this Mother’s Day. I was with family recently, and we were all talking about what, if any, memories we each had of our first days of reading. Few of us had any memory of the actual learning process. My brother-in-law remembered a day when the teacher announced, “Today we’re going to learn to read.” He was thrilled! He thought for sure there was a magic solution—a secret he was finally worthy of learning, and that by the end of the day, he, too, would be a reader! But alas, it was a process; there was no quick answer. My sister could remember “playing school” with our older sisters and learning to read. Everyone seemed to have a memory of that first big chapter book, or the book that really opened up their eyes to the power of reading. It was clear from our discussion that, in our family, reading was very important.

The longer we discussed our memories of learning to read, the more I realized I look back on those years and see my mother as a sort of Superwoman.

I’m the youngest of nine children, and needless to say, my mother was busy. Not only did she run the household and prepare every single meal from scratch, every single night for 11 people (even baking her own bread and sewing half our wardrobes), but there was also track practice, 4-H club, piano lessons, talent shows, and who knows what else. In addition to raising our family, she also had a full-time job, earned her master’s in math education, learned to fly a plane, ran a nonprofit organization, all while raising her nine kids. But at the time, she was just my mother, and my mother was busy.

I vividly remember one day, I was sitting on the floor in our living room playing with my toys—probably the spring before I started kindergarten—when my mother walked into the room and asked me to sit with her on the couch. She was holding what I deemed a worn-out and ancient-looking yellow and green book called Dick and Jane. She told me it was the book she had used to learn to read when she was a little girl, and I remember her saying, “I think you’re ready to read now, too.” I knew, even at the time, that this was an important moment. For my mother to stop everything she was doing to sit on the couch with me and teach me to read was a big deal—and it stuck. Reading is, and always has been, an incredibly important part of my life.

So as we approach this Mother’s Day, think about the time you spend with your child and the memories you’re creating for her. We’re all so busy—and every moment of the day is probably already scheduled and planned weeks in advance. But if you can take 15 minutes a day, even just a few times a week, to spend with your child and show her that you value and recognize the importance of reading, you’ll be providing her with a gift that lasts a lifetime.

And who knows, she may even look back one day and call you Superwoman.

Happy Mother’s Day to every Superwoman out there!

Mea Culpa

2010-04-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU to a careful new reader (Smellyann) for pointing out that in my last post I spelled sight words as site words as in Web site. How embarrassing! She was right--you’d think if I’m teaching children to read at the very least I’d be a good speller. Unfortunately it was an excellent example of how NOT to rely on spell check when you’re in a hurry. The good news is you don’t have to be a good speller to be a good reader. And the even better news is the more you read the more your spelling improves.

It brings up an interesting topic: spelling games and mnemonics. As a child, we learned to spell using little phrases like “friends to the end” to remind us that the word friend ends with end. Did you learn a mnemonic about how to remember the difference between stationary and stationery? The word letter has two e’s, and you write a letter on stationery—the word with the e. I always remember there’s a rat in the middle of separate because you always want to separate yourself from a rat. We all know “i before e except after c.” But that one has so many exceptions!

I clearly need to learn one for helping me remember the difference between site and sight. But as Anne in Anne of Green Gables says, “One good thing about me is I never do the same wrong thing twice.”

Thanks, again for the correction, Smellyann. I hope my error won’t turn you off from us, forever!

What spelling games or mnemonics do you have?

Word Games in the News

2010-04-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on a train last week with my new boss talking for a good 2 hours about Hooked on Phonics. It has been my experience that anytime I mention where I work, people always want to share stories about teaching their children to read, which of course, I love. That day was no exception. When we finally got to our stop, the gentleman sitting next to my boss told us about a great word game his sons play. I thought it was clever and easy so I thought I’d pass it on.

The boys names are Matthew and Andrew. They are 5 and 6 and all about learning sight words. It just so happens that Matthew has the sight word “the” in his name and Andrew has “and.” So the boys make a competition by taking newspaper articles and counting how many times their sight word appears in it. As it turns out, “the” almost always wins. But I still think it’s a great game!

What words can you make from your child’s name? If there isn’t one as obvious as Andrew or Matthew, take the child’s name and mix the letters up to make a word. Then choose an article or book and count the times the word appears.

Happy reading!

Eco-Friendly Reading!

2010-04-20T07:51:00.001-07:00

This week we will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Responding to widespread environmental degradation, Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed on April 22 each year by more than 500 million people and several national governments in 175 countries.

To celebrate Earth Day 2010, here’s a list of books you can read with your young children to educate them on ways in which kids and their families can avoid waste and be environmentally conscious. Enjoy!

I Can Save The Earth! by Alison Inches

Recycle! A Handbook for Kids by Gail Gibbons

The Three R’s: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle by Nuria Roca

Why Should I Save Energy? by Jen Green

The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling by Alison Inches

The Earth and I by Frank Asch

Google Earth ABCs!

2010-04-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here's an advanced alphabet challenge: Take your kids on a geography letter scavenger hunt.
If you have Google Earth on your computer (and you should, because it's free and it's amazing) then try this puzzler with your family: Search the planet and try to spot all the letters from A to Z. Okay. Maybe that is a little ambitious. So try this: Spend 15 minutes with your kid, and try to spot his/her INITIALS on Planet Earth.

Here are a few hints to help you get started:

1) Parks, airports and school parking lots are good ways to find lots of letter shapes.

2) Zoom in and out a lot. Letters can magically appear when you change altitude.

3) There are lots of interesting shapes along coastlines, especially big cities and ports.

4) Many football stadiums have a big letter in the center of the field. (Above is the M from Ann Arbor's Big House.)

Let the hunt begin!

Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary!

2010-04-12T11:41:00.001-07:00

Hey--did you know it was Beverly Cleary's birthday? I just found out, too! I adore Beverly Cleary. She was a staple in my path to loving reading as a child. My sisters Mary and Karen gave me the Ramona Quimby book set for Christmas in 2nd grade and I fell in love.

I still think of Ramona every time I put on a pair of pantyhose. There is a moment in one of the books where she wants to be an actress on tv so she quotes a commercial that is making fun of drooping hose. She quotes it to her teacher, ABOUT her teacher's saggy pantyhose. It is not well-received. I could always relate to talking without thinking, a specialty of Ramona's.

There is also the Ralph S. Mouse series which we read in school. Who wouldn't love a mouse whose initial S stands for SMART?!

If you didn't read Beverly Cleary and any of her Newbery Honor books as a child or if you're children aren't reading her now, time to check her out. You can't go wrong.

Happy Birthday, Beverly, and thanks for all the great stories!

We’re back on TV!

2010-04-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

You probably first heard of Hooked on Phonics some 15 or 20 years ago with our most famous infomercial catch phrase, “It worked for me!” Well it’s still working for you, and now it’s back on TV. We aired our first “short form” infomercial today and our full length one will air in mid-May.

Check out our 2 minute infomercial here.

Eggs-ellent Easter Ideas

2010-03-29T07:36:00.001-07:00

Easter is next weekend and I have been salivating over all the candy aisles every time I walk into a store. Religion aside, God bless the Easter basket and all its delicious treats!

Here are some ways to help make your Easter a little more literary.

1. Along with candy, stick a book in the Easter basket this year. Check out Max’s Easter Surprise by Rosemary Wells. She’s one of Hooked on Phonics’ most celebrated authors. She even wrote two books for our Learn to Read program.

2. When you do the Easter egg hunt, put candy letters inside. For each egg your child finds, have her tell you something that starts with the same sound as the letter inside her egg. For older children, ask them to spell a word that starts with that letter. For an even bigger challenge, write out two or three words on a slip of paper and put them inside the egg. Ask your child to tell a story using those words.

3. When you decorate your eggs, use letters! You can get small letter stickers, use paint, or crayons. Let your child choose the letter (ask her why she chose it) and make some Educational Easter Eggs this year.

4. Use your jelly beans to make letters and words. For extra challenge, make words where you can eat one letter and still have a word left. For example, start with GRATE and eat a G. Now you’ve got RATE. Eat the E and make RAT. Eat the T and you have RA! Eat the R and you’ve got A. See how many words you can do like this.

Hope you have a great spring break and a wonderful Easter with your family. Keep reading!

Block Party

2010-03-24T08:09:00.001-07:00

I have a personal theory. As you grow older, your IQ begins to decline. Then, when you have children between the ages of 1 and 5, your problem-solving and spatial-relationships skills temporarily spike upwards. Why is that? Because you spend hours each day, repacking stacking-blocks containers and shape sorters, putting puzzle pieces back into their trays and matching board game parts with their correct boxes.

With that in mind, here's a roundup of some of the more intertersting alphabet block sets you could be tripping over, picking up and sorting in the years to come.

Skull N' Bones Blocks for future pirates and zombies.

Mad Scientist ABC Blocks because kids should learn that R is for ROBOT and Q is for QUANTUM PHYSICS.

Eames House blocks based on the design of Charles Eames' Case Study #8 House. (A perfect thing to play with while your parents whip up a batch of helvetica letter cookies.)

Elegant Baby Blocks do appear to be "elegant." But what's really fascinating is that the kit includes a "triple supply of vowels." Your kids will be able to stack and spell Y-A-K, R-A-D-I-O, W-E-E-V-I-L and F-A-C-E-T-I-O-U-S all at the same time!

Irish You'd Read These Books

2010-03-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

It's not possible St. Patrick could have imagined how, 1600 years in the future, millions of schoolchildren would chase each other around, pinching anyone not wearing an article of green clothing. Yet here we are....and in keeping with that and many other great St. Patrick's Day celebrations, here's a quick roundup of green, Irish, and Leprechaun-laden books. Enjoy!

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day by Natasha Wing

Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson

A Fine St. Patrick's Day by Susan Wojciechowski

The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever by Teddy Slater. We're proud to note that this book was illustrated by our very own Ethan Long. He helped create Chick-Chick the Ping-Pong Champ, one of the sillier books from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read program.

Better late than never!

2010-03-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

So I’m sure by now you all remembered to change your clocks forward an hour. We might not have if it weren’t for the Washington Post which had on the front page, “Did you remember set your clocks forward an hour?” This was 5pm on Sunday evening. We had not.

Give your kids some fun practice telling time with these great worksheets from our Super Workbooks.

Telling Time Worksheet 1
Telling Time Worksheet 2
Telling Time Worksheet 3

Cinderelephant

2010-03-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

In keeping with our last post about timeless books and stories, here is our own take on the infinitely retold story of Cinderella. In our special "Most Amazing Story" version, the focus is on animals and their fabulous feet.

This is one of the many bonus videos you'll find inside our Learn to Read Pre-K DVDs. Enjoy!

Alice in Wonderland...you ageless wonder, you.

2010-03-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

When I was in 3rd grade, I found a pale blue dress with a white sash in the hall closet. I knew immediately I would be Alice that year for Halloween. I bet I don’t even have to tell you who Alice is for you to guess I mean the one in Wonderland. My older sister went as the White Rabbit and carried my dad’s pocket watch. We loved proclaiming, “I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date!”

Here we are 145 years after the book was published, and the world is still fascinated with Alice in Wonderland. It’s rather remarkable what an enormous influence a children’s book, a book written for a child in 1865, has had on modern culture and people of all ages.

In 5th grade, I remember being mesmerized by the video for “Don’t Come around Here No More” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers featuring Alice and the famous tea party. In high school, my senior class play was the musical of Alice in Wonderland, and I played the Queen of Hearts. I recall a restaurant in a neighboring town called The Cheshire Cat. I also read a book as a teenager called Go Ask Alice, which is the anonymous cautionary diary of a girl in the 1960s and her struggles and downward spiral with drug abuse. This particular book takes its cue from the Jefferson Airplane song “White Rabbit” based on the various “eat me” and “drink me” references in the Lewis Carroll story. There’s even a bar in my hometown called The Jabberwock, which comes from a poem in the sequel, Through the Looking Glass. And these are just a few personal references I came up within a matter of minutes.

As a child, I vividly remember being fascinated with the story of Alice in Wonderland. I loved the idea of falling, falling, falling without hurting myself, and of living in a world where animals could talk and operate just like people but with a magical twist. I was obsessed with the possibility of changing sizes and, of course, what girl didn’t want to be the Queen of Hearts? Well maybe not every girl, but it turned out to be my destiny. Off with her head!

Classic books like this are easily overlooked because of the endless pop culture references we find in modern-day life. It seems we learn the story through all these different expressions, rather than from the actual book! That’s exactly why you need to start with the original and provide your child with the foundation for all those everyday references. Movies like The Wizard of Oz, Stuart Little, and Peter Pan were all books first and have much more to offer than the just the movie alone.

Plus, these are exactly the kinds of stories that are great to read out loud with your child. Even when your child can read on her own, classics like Alice in Wonderland are perfect to share together because there are so many opportunities for discussion. There’s a reason the story is still so relevant 145 years later.

I found what I thought to be a very thought-provoking article on about some of the insightful lines from Alice and Wonderland on About.com. http://quotations.about.com/od/moretypes/a/alice1.htm
It’s a good little sample of what’s to come. Enjoy the read!

A Great Week For Reading

2010-03-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks for making this a great week for reading! We wrap up our posts on Read Across America Day with these thoughts:

Celebrate reading every day.
Reading should be done with a sense of play.
Read to your family and your neighbors, too.
Read the fine print on the bottom of your shoe.
Read to your cat or your big stuffed moose...

Happy birthday, Dr. Suess!

Do You Like Green Eggs and Ham?

2010-03-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

In honor of Read Across America Day, Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, and the 50th Anniversary of the publication of Green Eggs and Ham, we have posted a recipe for making ham and eggs. Click on this link to download the document: Ham and Eggs. You can print it in color or black and white. If you have time, grab some food coloring and make it green eggs and ham then read the Dr. Seuss book together as a family. Take turns reading each page out loud. See who can read it the fastest. See who can memorize it. Write your own rhymes. Whatever you do, be sure to celebrate.

Watch Hanna and her Mom talk about Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read, reading, and ham and eggs...

Let's Read Across America!

2010-03-01T07:25:00.001-08:00

Every year in the United States, children celebrate Read Across America Day on March 2, the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel. (You may know him better as Dr. Seuss.) The National Education Association (NEA) has been celebrating this day since 1998 and uses it as an opportunity to emphasize the value, importance, and fun of reading to children and young adults.

Students and teachers all across the country take this day to demonstrate what reading means to them. First Lady Michele Obama is meeting with a group of children on Tuesday to celebrate reading and Dr. Seuss at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

The NEA encourages students and families everywhere to take part in the celebration in as many creative ways as they can imagine. They even provide a fill-in-the-blanks invitation http://www.nea.org/grants/13373.htm. It may be short notice to throw a party, but be sure to celebrate this important day by carving out a specific time to read with your child tomorrow. Make it even more special than the reading time you already share. Tomorrow we’ll post a recipe for ham and eggs. If you have time, grab some food coloring and make it green eggs and ham then read the Dr. Seuss book together as a family. (It’s the 50th anniversary of its publication.) Take turns reading each page out loud. See who can read it the fastest. See who can memorize it. Write your own rhymes. Whatever you do, be sure to celebrate.

As part of our commitment to Read Across America, we have been donating books to various organizations in the Baltimore area including The Ronald McDonald House of Baltimore, Baltimore Public Schools, and to the US Military for dispersal to families. We recognize the power that books in the home have on a child’s success.

In Jeff McQuillan’s book The Literacy Crisis: False Claims, Real Solutions 1998) he explains that, “The only behavior measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home. An analysis of a national data set of nearly 100,000 United States school children found that access to printed materials--and not poverty--is the "critical variable affecting reading acquisition."

So stop what you’re doing, take a few minutes, and plan to read to a child as a toast and happy birthday to everyone’s friend, Dr. Seuss. Let the reading begin!

Put On Your Birthday Suess

2010-02-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

Tuesday is Read Across America Day. It takes place each year on the birthday of Dr. Seuss, and encourages schools and families across the USA to celebrate books and reading.

For the week, our local elementary school has children dressing up each day for a different Seuss book:

Monday, March 1st: Oh the Places You'll Go

Wear something from a place you've visited.

Tuesday: The Cat in the Hat

Wear red and white clothing.

Wednesday: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Wear red and blue clothing.

Thursday: Green Eggs and Ham

Wear as much green as you can.

Friday: Socks on Fox

Wear the craziest, most-colorful socks you own.

Let us know about celebrations and observations your kids have in store for the week.

Viva la Seuss!

Read Across America Day Is March 2nd

2010-02-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day is an annual reading program established to encourage children to celebrate reading on March 2nd, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. For more information, go to the NEA’s website, www.nea.org/grants/13003.htm, and check back here for more Read Across America posts and activities.

As a pre-celebration to Dr. Seuss’s birthday, watch the ‘Cat in the Hat’ video below!

A Jim Dandy Book

2010-02-23T07:39:00.000-08:00

We're happy to spread the word that one of our favorite artists, Bryan Langdo, has just illustrated a new picture book.

Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff by Sarah Burell tells the story of the day a giant rattlesnake arrived in the town of Dustpan, Texas. Now, Dustpan is a quiet and peaceful place where nothing exciting ever happens. The people who live there like it that way... or do they?

This upbeat book is a lot of fun, and we're all big fans of Bryan's gentle and humorous style. (He set the initial style for the kid characters in our Hooked on Phonics workbooks.)

You should check it out when it slithers your way.

Barnyard Fun!

2010-02-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

One way children learn vocabulary is when they are explicitly taught new words and their meaning. Review vocabulary words with your child that he doesn’t yet know. Ask him questions such as “Do you know what gallop means? It means to run fast.”

Activity:
This activity will not only help your child learn new vocabulary, but also animal facts and reading left to right.
1. Watch the video below.
2. Print out the Learn to Read Pre-K Barnyard Animals worksheets by clicking on this link: Barnyard Animals.
3. Read the sentence to your child, following with your finger from left to right.
4. Have your child color the animals.

Reading in a Winter Wonderland

2010-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Being snowed in is a perfect time to read with your kids! (Easy to say from the woman who has no children.)

We’re based in Baltimore, so all of us here at Hooked on Phonics are snowed in! We got hit pretty hard over the weekend, and here we go again with more blizzard conditions.

If you are looking for some good snow-themed children’s books to read with your children as you snuggle under the covers, take a look at this list of kids’ favorites suggested by my friend Erin T. Baker, a former first-grade teacher and now the director of a daycare center.

Here’s her top five, in no particular order:

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Lisa and the Snowman by Coby Hol
Chaucer’s First Winter by Stephen Krensky
The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss
The Little Polar Bear by Hans de Beer

And of course, no snow storm is complete without my favorite as a child,
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

We hope all of you are warm and safe and still have power. And for those of you who have been trapped in the house for days, we hope you still have sanity.

Happy reading!

What Can I Do to Help My Child Learn to Read? Part 4

2010-02-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

Vocabulary development is a very important part of becoming a good reader. Children can’t understand what they are reading if they don’t know what the words mean when they hear (oral vocabulary) or see them in print (reading vocabulary).

How can I help my child learn more vocabulary?

You can do this by incorporating new words into everyday conversations. They’ll learn by hearing you use new and interesting words. Ask them if they know the meaning of a word you just used. If they don’t, define the word and give them examples, “Lions are ferocious. Do you know what ferocious means? Scary and really mean”. Read to them and pause to define words that are unfamiliar to them. Have them read as often as possible. The more children read, the more words they’ll encounter, and the more meanings they’ll learn.

Activity: In just a few minutes, your child can learn animal names and fun facts, all while expanding his vocabulary.
Instructions:

Watch our Learn to Read video with your child (click on the video below).

Print out our activity worksheets by clicking on this link: Pets Activity. You can print the pages in full color or black and white.

Read the instructions and help your child complete the activities.

At the end of this activity your child’s vocabulary will have increased, and he’ll be one step closer to becoming a great reader.

Sunday's Story Surprise

2010-02-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

As a parent, you want only the best for your children, and in this mom’s opinion, reading to your children is one of the most important things you can do from an early age. It’s right up there with keeping them safe from harm and providing for their basic needs such as food and water, clothing and shelter. Since they were infants, I have tried to read to my kids (ages 2 and 3) as often as I can. And they both love books, whether its looking at the pictures, chewing on the corners, or the time spent sitting on mom’s lap and enjoying a good story. It’s always a rewarding experience for me as a mom, but this weekend I was treated to an even bigger reward.

After breakfast on Sunday, I was in the usual tug-of-war with my 3 year old son over watching television, and I suggested that maybe instead of watching “Cars” for the hundredth time perhaps he could select one of his favorite books and we could read together. He reluctantly agreed and went to the book shelf. He came back with “Do Plants Eat Meat?” As we began to read, I took the usual approach of reading the text aloud and pointing to the pictures on the page as he identified the objects in the pictures and asked a ton of questions, many over and over again.

My son has a huge vocabulary and has long been good at identifying pictures in the books that we read together. This time it was different though. He began to point to the words on the page and ask, “Mommy, what is this word?” and, “What does this word say?” I was shocked and surprised. It was as if something in him just clicked and he now understood that the words on the page had meaning and weren’t just a jumble of letters. Then, he pointed to the word plant (next to a picture of a plant) and said, “Mommy, does this word say plant?” I was totally excited and I said, “Yes, honey, you’re absolutely right! That does say plant!” In that moment, I was filled with so much pride and joy at what I had just witnessed.

The rewards for reading to your children are many—the bonding experience, helping them to develop a lifelong love of reading and learning, putting them on the path to future success—but on this Sunday, the reward for me was much smaller, and it was all I needed to keep it going!

*Do Plants Eat Meat? is part of the ASK ME series from The Southwestern Company.

Cut It Out!

2010-01-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

Today, we celebrate ALPHABET COOKIE CUTTERS, those wonderful metal or plastic widgets that can turn snack time into learning moments.

Before passing out that cookie, let's see who can name an animal, or a place, or a person whose name starts with that letter.

Turn that W cookie upside down. What letter do you see? Now bite a little piece of it--it's an N!

Are you a design-savvy parent with a membership to the MOMA? Then make Helvetica font cookies. Teach your children how to spell Mies van der Rohe.

Not in the mood for cookies? There are molds for ice. Teach your kids how to spell 'MELT' and watch it happen. (Hint: Put those ice letters under a lamp or it will be a lo-o-o-ong lesson.)

What Can I Do to Help My Child Learn to Read? Part 3

2010-01-27T13:04:00.000-08:00

I have already discussed Phonemic Awareness and Phonics in previous posts, two areas that need to be addressed when teaching children to read. However, a child must also acquire reading Fluency in order to become a successful reader.

What exactly is Fluency?
Fluency is the ability to read accurately and quickly. A fluent reader can look at words, know how to read them, and comprehend the meaning, all at the same time. Fluency is important because it allows children to focus on the meaning of a word instead of trying to decode it.

How can I help my child become a fluent reader?
In order to become fluent readers, children must first learn what a good reader sounds like. When children hear good models reading fluently, they learn by example. Children should also read and reread a book or a story several times until they can do so fluently using correct expression, pronunciation, tone, and pauses. This usually occurs after the third or fourth reading.

Instructions:
In just 20 minutes, your child can practice reading fluently by watching our Itsy Bitsy Spider video and reading along with the companion minibook. Just click on the link and print it out, it’s free!

1. Print out the Itsy Bitsy Spider book by clicking on this link: Itsy Bitsy Spider Minibook. You can print the pages in full color or black and white.
2. Cut on the dotted lines.
3. Stack the pages in order, from page 1 to page 6.
4. Staple the pages on the left hand side.
5. Now, watch the Itsy Bitsy Spider video with your child and read along with the book.
6. Have your child read the book out loud a few times. Make sure he’s reading with correct pauses, expression, pronunciation, tone, etc.

At the end of this activity your child’s level of fluency will have increased, and he’ll be one step closer to becoming a great reader.

Choosy Children Choose Chapter Books

2010-01-25T09:18:00.000-08:00

One of the keys to cultivating a strong and engaged reader is obvious but often overlooked: finding books your child will love. And the key to finding those books? Letting your child choose.

I was six years old when I read my first chapter book. It was called Striped Ice Cream by Joan M. Lexau. I vividly remember choosing it from the library shelf. The color was the same shade as the strawberry flavor in Neapolitan ice cream. (Apropos, indeed.) That was what drew my eyes to the book. Then the cover of the book had a picture of a mother and daughter sitting in a chair together, reading. It wasn’t just that it was a mother and daughter, but that they were African American. That sealed the deal.

Growing up in rural West Virginia, I actually didn’t know any African American families. But when I saw the cover of Striped Ice Cream, it reminded me of the only African American family I knew—the Evans family. At that time in my life, my favorite TV show was “Good Times.” I loved that family, and for reasons not entirely obvious, I felt like they were very similar to my own.

I remember loving that book. I was so proud to carry it around and have adults comment on the fact that I was reading a chapter book in first grade. As it turned out, the story resonated with me in ways that I’m not sure my parents would have guessed. I chose it because I identified with the cover and sitting with my own mother and reading, but what was inside was very personal to me.

I’m a big believer in the library. Take your kids to the library and let them choose their own books. Let them spend as much time as possible just sifting through the books. If you have suggestions, by all means, make them. But don’t feel as if you have to steer your child one way or the other. Let your child choose. It’s okay for children to judge a book by its cover—that just might be all it takes to get them started on their first chapter book.

Do you remember your first chapter book? Tell us about it!

Laughing with Letters

2010-01-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

Question: What comes twice in a moment, once in a minute, but not once in a thousand years?

Answer: The letter M

They're clumsy, they're clunky, but alphabet jokes are a great and fun way to learn letters, and to think about reading in different ways. Here are some books we've found full of alphabet riddles to read and share--the good, the bad, and the corny!

Here's a Bonus NUMBER riddle for you. Can you guess the correct answer?

Question: Why was 10 so scared?

Answer: Because 7, 8, 9!

Z Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2010-01-14T11:50:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The Z Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics.

Follow us on:
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Hooked on Phonics on Facebook
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Y Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2010-01-13T05:14:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The Y Song Pre-K is part of Hooked on Phonics® Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. The new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics.

Follow us on:
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What Can I Do to Help My Child Learn to Read? Part 2

2010-01-08T09:51:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my Dec. 23 posting, the National Reading Panel (NRP) identified five areas of reading instruction that must be addressed when teaching children to read. My first post was on Phonemic Awareness, the ability to notice, understand, and work with the sounds in words. This post will address Phonics.

What exactly is Phonics?

Phonics is a method of teaching reading, based on sounding out letters to read words. Let’s say that you learn the letter i makes the /i/ sound, and that the letter t makes the /t/ sound. And when you read these sounds together, /i/ /t/, you have it. You’ve just used phonics to read the word it.

How can I use phonics to help my child learn to read?

Here’s an easy activity you can do with your child using our phonics teaching method. In just 20 minutes, your child can read a book all by himself by playing an easy flashcard game and printing out our free Learn to Read Minibook.
Just follow these instructions:

Make one flashcard for each of the letters d, n, a, r, b, t, and p, for a total of 7 cards. You can use index cards or just cut up a piece of plain paper. Lay them on the table.
Help your child to put the cards together that form the words dan, ran, bat, pat, and at. Call out the name of each letter and the sound it makes as you push the cards together. Do this a few times until your child can do it all by himself.
Print out all of the pages of our free minibook by clicking on this link: Learn to Read Minibook
Once you have printed the pages, cut each page in half by cutting on the dotted line.
Stack all of the pages together with the cover on the front, followed by page 1, page 2, etc., until all of the pages are in order. Do not include the instructions.
Staple along the left side of the pages.
Finish the book by tracing all of the words with dotted lines.
Have your child color all of the pages.

Your child is now ready to read the book he just made all by himself! He has already learned to read each word by playing the flashcard game. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is full of activities just like this one, plus story books, workbooks, online games, flashcards, and much, much more.

Post Holiday Book Poll

2010-01-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a time for family, fun, and hopefully a little relaxation. Over the holidays, how many books did you read with your children? Take our poll and let us know!

Poll: How many books did you read to your children over the holidays?

X Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2010-01-04T11:32:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The X Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics.

Follow us on:
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked on Phonics on Facebook
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Hooked on Phonics dot com

What Can I Do to Help My Child Learn to Read? Part 1

2009-12-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

We hear from many parents about their children’s struggles with learning to read. Difficulties with reading can have a negative long-term effect on a children’s self-esteem, their desire to learn and succeed in school, and ultimately their success in life.

Although there are no quick ways to teach children to read, it doesn’t have to be a difficult task. In the next blog posts I will outline the basic skills children must master in order to learn to read. These posts will go hand in hand with the recommendations made by the National Reading Panel’s (NRP) 2000 report. The goals of the report were simple: to identify what works when teaching children to read. The NRP report identified five areas of reading instruction that must be addressed in order to teach children to read:

1. Phonemic Awareness: Being able to notice, understand, and work with the sounds in words.
2. Phonics: A method of teaching reading, based on sounding out letters to read words.
3. Fluency: Being able to read accurately and quickly.
4. Vocabulary: Knowing what words mean when we hear and read them.
5. Text Comprehension: Truly understanding what is read.

How can I help my child gain phonemic awareness?
There are many activities that can help parents accomplish this task. Here are two simple ones that you can do with your child without having to buy, make, or read anything (outside of this post!). When you see a letter between slashes, /a/, it represents the sound of the letter. When you see a letter in bold, a, it represents the name of the letter.

Activity 1:
Parent: Listen to this word: cat. One more time: cat. /k/ /a/ /t/. Can you say the word?
Child:cat.
Parent: Good job! Now can you say the sounds? /k/ /a/ /t/.
(If your child makes an error, be positive--“Good try!” “That was pretty close!” “You almost got it!”--and ask him to try again.)
Child: /k/ /a/ /t/.
Parent: That was great! Now write each letter for the word cat. Write the letter that makes this sound /k/ (allow your child to write the letter c); /a/ (allow your child to write the letter a); /t/ (allow your child to write the letter t).
Child: /k/ (child writes letter c); /a/ (child writes letter a); /t/ (child writes letter t); cat.
Parent: You said AND wrote the word cat. You are so smart! (Now try more words like fan, sad, bat, pig, pen, and box.)

Activity 2:
Watch this video with your child. Listen to the narrator and follow the prompts:

The Biteys: Best Food ABCs of 2009

2009-12-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

The votes are in, and here are the official winners of the 2009 Bitey Awards. These are the best food ABCs of the year. Enjoy!

First Place:

"EATPHABET" by Luiza Prado

Courtesy Luiza P.

2nd Place:

"VALUE PACK" by Robert J. Bolesta

Courtesy Robert Bolesta

3rd Place:

"Apple Alphabet" by Anna Benaroya

Courtesy Anna Benaroya

Honorable Mention:

"Communication Just Got Sweeter" Ad for M&Ms

Courtesy Larryfire

Thanks to everyone around the world helping to make every day and every meal an alphabet celebration. Now go eat your peas... and your Ts and your Fs!

Season’s Readings...Take our Holiday Poll!

2009-12-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

Flip through the channels of TV this week and you’ll come across many versions of A Christmas Carol, but have you actually ever read the original by Charles Dickens—the one that inspired it all? Or what about The Nutcracker? I see a live performance every year, but I only found out today it was a book long before it was a ballet. Take a look at this short list of famous Christmas stories. Which ones have you actually read—not just seen—but actually read? Take our poll: We’d like to know!

Poll: Which Christmas stories have you read?

Festival of Lights...and Books!

2009-12-15T13:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a starter list of Hanukkah books to help bring extra reading and fun to this week's festival of lights.

The Chanukkah Guest by Eric A. Kimmel is a personal favorite. This silly story of a bear who is mistaken for a dinner guest provides great opportunities for dramatic reading and overacting.

The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser is a charming tale of sharing and bringing family and friends together.

D is for Dreidel by Tanya Lee Stone is an alphabet book celebrating many themes and symbols of Hanukkah. (Okay, X is tough, so we'll forgive the author for using "Xylophone.")

Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah by Sylvia A. Rouss is a great preschool story about a spider exploring the meaning of the holiday and--bonus--colors and numbers, too!

- - -

Special thanks to Lisa Ginns for these suggestions, and--no--there is no one correct way to spell the word Hah-noo-kah in English.

2010 Hooked on Phonics Commercial

2009-12-15T09:37:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is an award-winning program designed to help children learn how to read using phonics. Dozens of prominent educators, award-winning authors, illustrators, composers, and parents have partnered to make this the best Learn to Read yet. Visit www.HookedonPhonics.com/TV for more.

Helping Your Child Blend Sounds to Read Words

2009-12-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

What is blending? In phonics, blending is the ability to recognize sounds and manipulate them in order to read words. To blend, children must first say each sound and then blend them together. For example, if you say each of these sounds, /c/ /a/ /t/, and blend them together, you get the word cat.

Children must be able to blend parts of words together and recombine them easily to read words they don’t know and to acquire fluency (the ability to read accurately with speed and expression). Although many children learn to blend sounds independently, others must be taught the process step by step. The sooner a child learns to blend, the more easily he will learn to read fluently.

A great way to teach blending is to start with cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words, for example, fan. Words that start and end with the sounds /f/, /v/, /n/, /m/, /l/, and /s/ are easier to blend because they can be drawn out: /ffffaaaannnn/.Have the child say each sound of the word fan, pausing after each sound:/f/-/a/-/n/. Have the child repeat the sounds again, this time by holding each sound as they move to the next.: /fff//aaa//nnn/. Repeat several times a little faster until the sounds are blended and the child can read the word: /fffaaannn/, /ffaann/, fan.

You can give your kids a head start by helping them learn to read a few words before they even start school. We’ve made it easy for you: Here’s a script for teaching them to blend sounds to read the word mat:
Parent: ‘When you see a letter, make its sound: (letter a) /aaa/’
Child: ‘/aaa/’
Parent: ‘(letter t) /t/’
Child: ‘/t/’
Parent: ‘Now, say both sounds: /aaa/ /t/, /aaa/ /t/’
Child: ‘/aaa/ /t/, /aaa/ /t/’
Parent: ‘A little faster: /aa/ /t/, /aa/ /t/’
Parent: ‘Now, a little faster: /a/ /t/, /a/ /t/’
Child: ‘/a/ /t/, /a/ /t/’
Parent: ‘Now, say the sounds together, starting at the left and moving to the right. Ready? /at/, /at/.’
Child: ‘/at/, /at/’
Parent: ‘Now. Let’s add one more sound: /mmm/ /at/, /mmm/ /at/.’
Child: ‘/mmm/ /at/, /mmm/ /at/’
Parent: ‘Now, blend the sounds together, starting from the left and moving to the right: /mmaat/, /mmaat/.
Child: ‘/mmaat/, /mmaat/’
Parent: ‘One more time: mat.’
Child: ‘mat’
Parent: ‘You read mat!’

Watch this clip for a visual representation of this blending lesson…

V Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-12-03T10:51:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The V Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked on Phonics on Facebook
Hooked on Phonics on Twitter
Hooked on Phonics on iTunes
Hooked on Phonics dot com

Oh, go on...

2009-12-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

For any organization, one of the greatest things is coming across unsolicited praise from a consumer. We are always keeping our eyes peeled and ears open to hear what our customers are saying. We want to deliver the best experience that we possibly can for your child. But there is no sweeter satisfaction than finding out what you are already doing is right on!

We recently stumbled upon blogger http://www.almightydad.com/, who has been saying great things about our Master Reader product, which teaches advanced phonics skills. When we contacted him to thank him and let him know we had recently updated our Learn to Read product, we found out that, not only had he used our products with both of his sons, but two of his sisters have had great success with Hooked on Phonics as well!

Take a look at his blog and see what he thinks.
http://www.almightydad.com/education/anybody-can-do-it-with-hooked-on-phonics

If you or your family members have stories about using any of our products, please let us know!

http://www.hookedonphonics.com/newslettersignup/

T is for Table

2009-11-30T13:26:00.000-08:00

Kamiya Design has come out with this interesting table and chairs set:

While this certaily has its limitations (only 3 seats, the 'le' only works from one side, only one backrest, etc.) what a great alphabet conversation piece!

We tip our hats to abc aficionados everywhere, and now we're on the lookout for some xyz place settings.

Thanksgiving Traditions--What Will You Read?

2009-11-24T07:54:00.000-08:00

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it has me thinking about traditions. I spend the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving thinking about my favorite tradition: what book I’m going to read. Since I am not the host for my family Thanksgiving (or perhaps not a very good guest), I get a lot more down time than some people. Once we’ve eaten our big dinner and taken our naps, while everyone else is huddled in front of the TV rooting for their favorite college football team or sifting through the paper to find the best sales for Friday shopping, or—forgive me, Mother-in-Law—cleaning the kitchen—I am sneaking away to a quiet room to read. There aren’t many times during the year that I can spend hours on end devouring a good book from start to finish, but for me, Thanksgiving is one of those times.

By definition, the holidays are a time of traditions. Many traditions are common, but it’s the personalized traditions that really create the sense of close friends and family that make up a holiday. One of my sister’s traditions is giving each of her daughters a book first thing in the morning when they wake up on their birthday. I love the idea that reading is a holiday tradition. Reading is one of my favorite indulgences on any of the major holidays, and the tradition began with my parents. In addition to eating, napping, watching football, and shopping, I always saw my parents sitting down with a good book. Even in a household of nine children, a recipe for chaos, there were quiet moments where everyone was tucked in a corner or chair with a good book.

So this Thanksgiving, take a few moments to incorporate reading into your family tradition with your children. Things can get pretty hectic during the holidays. Set them up with a lifetime of good habits and a few moments of quiet, imaginative peace. Give yourself a moment to escape from what can sometimes turn into holiday madness—and read a book. It might just become your favorite tradition.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Hooked on Phonics.

T Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-11-23T13:51:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The T Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read
Hooked Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked Phonics on Facebook
Hooked Phonics on Twitter
Hooked Phonics on iTunes
Hooked Phonics dot com

E is for ENGAGE!

2009-11-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of celebrating the alphabet--wherever and whenever the opportunity presents itself--we share with you Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart, of course,) singing 'A You're Adorable' on the bridge of the Enterprise.

...and a happy intergalactic alphabet to all of you!

Take Our Songs With You On The Go!

2009-11-19T12:19:00.000-08:00

New Hooked on Phonics alphabet songs available each week on our iTunes channel. Get the Q Song today!

Hooked Phonics on iTunes

Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read wins the 2009 MITX Best Educational Website Award

2009-11-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

We are very proud to announce that Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read has just won the MITX Best Education and Learning Website Award for 2009. The MITX Awards is the largest and one of the most prestigious awards competition in the country for interactive and web innovations and celebrates the best creative and technological accomplishments emerging from New England.

We'd like to celebrate with our readers by offering a 40% discount on the new Learn to Read Pre-K to 2nd Grade system. Just go to our (award winning!) Learn to Read website and enter the following code: HOP40

MITX Awards

Celebrity or Teacher?

2009-11-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

In developing infomercials for Hooked on Phonics in years past, the company was encouraged to find a celebrity host. After all, what makes people stop channel-surfing to watch a 30-minute commercial? An actor? A popular actress? A star football player? But what happens when the best person for the job is a teacher?

Joel Steingold, the host of the new Learn to Read infomercial knows the value of reading. He’s a teacher who sees high-school kids who are paying the price for not learning to read when they were just starting out in school.

Joel was a pleasure to work with at the infomercial shoot. He was patient throughout a very long day on the set. He was good natured, telling jokes between takes. He is professional and cares about kids. Who better to talk to you about Hooked on Phonics, really?

Webster’s defines “celebrity” as “a famous or celebrated person.” We put much of our child’s future in their teachers’ hands. Perhaps we don’t “celebrate” them enough. Actor? Actress? Star football player? Teacher? You decide.

S Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-11-12T10:47:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The S Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read
Hooked Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked Phonics on Facebook
Hooked Phonics on Twitter
Hooked Phonics on iTunes
Hooked Phonics dot com

A Fresh, New Hooked on Phonics Infomercial

2009-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Who would’ve thought after 20 years that people would still be saying “Hooked on Phonics worked for me!” It’s a phrase ingrained in many of our minds from the first ground-breaking infomercial back in 1990. It’s amazing to think that those kids are now college age!

I’ve “lived” Hooked on Phonics almost that long as part of the product development team on many Hooked On™ products. Yes, the Learn to Read program has evolved and been improved over the years, including the brand-new product with a fresh new infomercial. I never get tired of hearing how the program touches people. In fact, at the infomercial shoot a few months ago, someone behind the scenes had been involved in filming an earlier infomercial and still remembered the people and success stories from years ago. The a-ha moment is just such a special milestone.

One thing I love about the way the product has evolved is that it’s so much more than just about learning to read—it’s about loving to read. And it’s a bonding experience that no parent should be without. Watch the infomercial, and you’ll see some of those special moments for yourself. Here’s a parent that says it better than I can.

Reading is more than just about sounding out words. Fluency is a big part of reading. Without it, your child might “fall off the page.” It’s like learning to ride a bike. If you pedal too slowly, you’ll fall off. Likewise, if you read just one word at a time, by the time you get to the end of a page, you won’t remember what you read at the beginning. Take a look at one clip from the infomercial that shows how the program can make the difference between falling off the page and happily riding (I mean, reading) away.

You’ll see other stories like that one throughout the infomercial. One child, however, struck me in particular. You know how kids learning math don’t understand how they’ll ever use it? “When will I ever use algebra?” I hadn’t thought about how that could be true for some children learning to read. After all, we read every day, whether it’s the newspaper, street signs, or nutrition facts at the grocery store. But Hannah’s story made me think twice.

I have to be honest—I don’t usually watch infomercials. But this one? It’s worth watching. The milestones are priceless.

R Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-11-05T07:50:00.001-08:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The R Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read
Hooked Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked Phonics on Facebook
Hooked Phonics on Twitter
Hooked Phonics on iTunes
Hooked Phonics dot com

Another great review of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read!

2009-11-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

So you all know we've been sending our new Learn to Read to different mommy bloggers to see what they think.

Take a look at the great things The Bragging Mommy is saying about us.

Learning Activities at Home

2009-11-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

Last week was the latest in our series of Virtual Coffees, where we chat with some of our favorite parent bloggers about topics related to reading, learning. This month's topic was learning activities to do with your children at home. Our participants included:

Amy Mascott – Teach Mama
Nirasha Jaganath – Mommy Niri
Allie McDonald – No Time for Flash Cards
Brian Frank – B ook Dads
Whitney Hoffman – LD Podcast
JoAnn Ramussen – The Casual Perfectionist and Mile High Mamas
and me, Amy Kraft – Media Macaroni

These blogs are already chocked full of great ideas for indoor learning activities, and in the call we highlighted some of our favorites.

Teach Mama has a great game called Action, Action 1, 2, 3! With a stack of index cards and some dice, Amy transformed a rainy day afternoon into an active day indoors. Roll the dice and do the action written on the chosen cards that many times. It's reading, it's writing, it's counting, and it's lots of fun!

Allie at No Time For Flash Cards looks for crafts that feed into her son's natural interests. When he took a fascination with car models, Allie made this amazing alphabet wall craft out of old issues of Car and Driver magazine. H is for Honda!

Brian, Niri and I are all particular fans of cooking with our kids. Not only does cooking involve equal parts of learning and math, with a dash of science to taste, but cooking can also expose kids to different foods and cultures. I'm a fan of the Handstand Kids cookbooks, and Brian of Book Dads mentioned Mollie Katzen's cookbooks which I'm anxious to check out. Both offer illustrations to go with the text, a great help to young chefs just learning to read.

Other great activities ideas that came up are having your child go on a junk mail hunt, circling letters and sight words; spotting letters and numbers on license plates; and transforming one of your child's bedroom walls into a chalkboard for endless creative possibilities. Check out all of these blogs for more great learning game ideas.

Letting your child play and have free time is crucial for learning and development. For more reading on this topic, check out Whitney's reviews of the books The Red Rubber Ball at Work and Play: How it Shapes The Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul at LD Podcast.

Q Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-10-29T14:23:00.001-07:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The Q Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
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Books that Say "Boo!"

2009-10-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's the season for ghosts and vampires (and Jedi knights and Hanna Montanas) and werewolves. And, of course, it's a great time for spooky stories and books say "Boo!" The goal for many of us here is to find some great Halloween-themed bedtime tales--but NOT stories that are going to keep kids up for the rest of the night. (You'll have five pounds of sugar and guar gum to make sure that happens.)

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Frankenstein takes the Cake by Adam Rex feature collections of funny monsters tales, told in verse with fantastic illustrations.

For a silly spooky singalong, break out Sipping Spiders Through a Straw by Kelly DiPuchhio and Gris Grimly. It presents monstrous versions of classic campfire songs, such as "Take Me Out to the Graveyard" and "If You're Scary and You Know it, Clap Your Paws."

Melanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel at Night is the latest installment in the adventures of a squirrel who is learning to tackle his fears. This time, the poor rodent is besieged by bad dreams. And, of course, this book glows in the dark!

For my personal all-time favorite, I can never get enough of What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss. It's part of the compilation The Sneetches and Other Stories. It unravels the mystery of the "Spooky empty pale green pants with nobody inside them."

The Scratch and Sniff Halloween book features "five fantastic fragrances." Enough said.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Halloween reading. Send us your recommendations right now, and we'll include them in our follow up: Books that Say "Boo!" Part Two.

Write One Yourself

2009-10-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ever been reading a picture book to one of your kids and thought to yourself, “Who wrote this garbage?” Ever walked the aisles of your local bookstore, stunned by the tonnage of tomes on the shelves, and thought, “I could do better than this.”

I haven’t done an official survey, but I imagine that most parents, at one time or another, have toyed with the idea of writing a picture book. Of course, like many things, it’s probably not as easy as it looks. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Again, no official survey here, but it seems to me that the more you model reading and writing to your kids, the more they’ll want to do it, too. In fact, if you share your great book idea with your kids, they’ll probably want to critique it, possibly even help you write it, or at least draw the pictures. So maybe it’s time to give that idea a try. If you do, here are a few things to bear in mind.

Picture books are almost always 32 pages long, but the first few pages are taken by the copyright and title pages.

Be clear on where the page breaks will occur. Some pages might have only a word or two on them; some can have up to a paragraph or more.

Think visually. You don’t have to draw the picture yourself, but it helps if your text suggests an image.

Yes, picture books are short. But it’s still nice when a story has a strong beginning, middle, and end.

One more thing: There are many companies these days who will publish a book for you – and even sell it online. Check out Xlibris. For less money than you might think, you can have your very own Amazon number. Or if you’re feeling ambitious, research the names of the kids’ editors at traditional publishers who’ve published books you’ve enjoyed, and send yours their way. Editors are always looking for the next big thing. You never know, right?

P Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-10-21T10:54:00.001-07:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The P Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
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Hooked Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked Phonics on Facebook
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Hooked Phonics on iTunes
Hooked Phonics dot com

Use your words!

2009-10-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

My brother recently e-mailed me a story about his six-year-old daughter:

Claire: Daddy, I really regret going on our trip to Canada and Niagara Falls.

Daddy: Claire, you're too young to have regrets, but why do you regret it?

Claire: Because on Webkins, if I don't work on my garden every day, it gets too many weeds and the plants die.

This story got me thinking about the magnificence of vocabulary. I’ve always regretted that I don’t have a stronger vocabulary, even though I have always loved words. I distinctly remember learning the word ominous in fourth grade and then later that very same night both reading it in the newspaper and hearing my dad use it at the dinner table. It felt like someone had given me a secret key. This word was everywhere!

I became fascinated with learning new words. As a freshman, I had a crush on a senior, and I would type notes to him during my typing class. I didn’t have much to say to him, so I would look up words in the dictionary and put their definitions in the note. (Let’s just say, if it isn’t obvious, it would be many years before I had my first boyfriend.)

Parents and adults often underestimate how much a child is learning when words are spoken often and in context. One of my favorite words to use when I work with small children is the word imperative. “It is imperative that you follow these directions; otherwise, the game won’t work.” My friend Sarah told me a story about her husband tickling her daughter and the three-year-old saying, “Mommy, I need you to intervene on my behalf!” They get it. Children are brilliant, spongy creatures, constantly listening and learning and trying to make sense of the world. Using words correctly in context is an excellent and natural teaching tool.

Notice I said correctly. My friend Mary, another aspiring wordsmith, kept using the word impale in conversation. She believed the definition to be related to nausea until one day someone said, “Impale means to pierce someone, like knights with swords and lances and that kind of thing.” (We won’t blame her parents for that.)

Encouraging a rich vocabulary allows for a more satisfying reading experience for children. Sometimes children will get the gist of what’s being written but reading is so much more entertaining and meaningful if they have a reference point for all of the words. So start using those challenging words with your children. Don’t feel like you have to resort to yum yum. Go ahead and use the word delectable. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they’ll pick it up and start using it themselves.

Besides, your child just might come across a sentence one day that reads, “I regret to inform you of this ominous news, but it is imperative that you act quickly: Your husband has impaled himself on a skewer from the delectable shish-ka-bobs he was grilling and now needs you to intervene on his behalf.”

Sure, it isn’t likely, but you never know. So use your words!

N Song - Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K

2009-10-15T08:21:00.001-07:00

This video highlight is from the new Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

The N Song is part of Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K and is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read is a reading program designed to help children learn how to read and improve reading skills using phonics. Follow us on:
Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read
Hooked Phonics Learn to Read Blog
Hooked Phonics on Facebook
Hooked Phonics on Twitter
Hooked Phonics on iTunes
Hooked Phonics dot com