Proof The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading Actually Works

In June, after we had finished our school year, I had my kids take the DORA reading assessment (purchased through Seton Testing and administered online through Let's Go Learn).

We took summer off from school. We started back in August, and I began using The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading with my 4th grade struggling (dyslexic) reader. We finished the book in 10 weeks. It wasn't always easy. We both wanted to pull our hair out sometimes. It was 10 weeks of intense work. However, it worked. Here's proof.

The DORA Reading Assessment tested her high frequency words, word recognition, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension. Here are her results:

Let's take a moment and praise God right now!!!! Her high frequency word score stayed the same, but that doesn't surprise me, or concern me, because TOPGTR is a phonics program, not a sight word program. As you can see her overall word recognition jumped significantly. However, the main score I wanted on this test was that phonics score...what the book is all about. She went from a high second grade level to a mid 4th level (aka right where she should be) in 10 weeks. She did not score a 4.83, which doesn't surprise me either, because the last 2 sections of TOPGTR are the multi-syllable sections, and she struggled most with those. However, that's okay. I know what to continue to work on. Besides, that is expected to be mastered by the end of her 4th grade year. We have time. She's never had a problem with vocabulary and comprehension, but those increased slightly anyway.

The author of TOPGTR specifically states in the book not to worry about spelling while focusing on getting the child reading. So, we didn't. Her spelling still increased slightly, but this is obviously something we will now need to put more intensive work in.

It is said that at the end of TOPGTR students are left reading at a 4th grade level. Well, here's proof.

Note: Below is an affiliate link. I get a portion of the sale price via Amazon credit if you purchase through my link (which I'd greatly appreciate). However, I purchased this book on my own, and this post and my previous review are all true to my own opinions and experience.

The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading Review

I found this book over summer accidentally through a google search. It intrigued me, so I bought it used on Amazon. This is my review of the book/program.

I used this book with my 9 year old struggling reader. We got through the entire book (231 lessons) in 10 weeks. This book would likely take 2 years to get through with a young student/new reader. Used as a remedial program you can work through as slow or as fast as you need.

Pros:

• Reasonably priced (especially if you use it over and over)
• Teaches phonics systematically
• There is no grade level, therefore older kids do not feel like they are "behind"
• Scripted (tells you exactly what to say and do)
• Doesn't require any prep work (open and go)
• Non-consumable

Cons:

• May be boring or overwhelming with both parent and student text on one page and no pictures 
• Doesn't go in depth into how to apply phonics rules when reading outside of this book
• A few times I found that sounds were taught differently than we say them (this is a dialect issue I'm sure-we are from California/Arizona)
• The "rules" associated with some words/phonograms aren't always explicitly explained-for example, it may say something like, "These words come from the French language so they have this sound..." and basically the student needs to memorize those words have that sound versus being able to apply the rule

Bottom Line: I recommend this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to be used as a remedial phonics program for older/struggling kids. I think it can definitely work with younger kids, but may not be every young kids cup of tea. My 9 year old did not always love the lessons, and would sometimes get frustrated. However, she feels very accomplished and reading is now easier for her, which ultimately makes us both happy. It was extremely easy to use on my (the teacher's) end.

If you'd like to purchase this book yourself, I'd appreciate it if you'd use my affiliate link (which gives me a portion of the purchase price in Amazon credit). Thank you!