About Our Christ-Centered . . .

Beginning-to-Read Program

• How does your Beginning-to-Read Program differ from others?
  Our full program is so saturated with Scripture and its principles that it clearly stands out among others! All Christ-Centered Curriculum materials diligently follow "add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge" (2 Peter 1:5). We teach to children's spirits first (Proverbs 1:7), and then rejoice to see God enlighten each student's academic knowledge as rapidly as individual God-given capabilities allow (Psalm 94:10). His Word is so "living and powerful" (Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11) that numerous times parents have called us to say that repeatedly the Scriptures in the lessons have addressed something that just happened in their family. And it is an extra blessing to hear moms report just how much they've been learning about the Lord---and phonics---as they teach!
     
• Who should use the "Beginning-to-Read Program"?
  The Christ-Centered "Beginning-to-Read Program" is designed for children who need to learn:
  • How to recognize and print the alphabet.
  • How to know what sounds vowels and consonants make.
  • How to blend consonant and vowel sounds together.
  • How to read and spell one- and two-vowel words.
  • How to read simple phrases and sentences.
       
• How would you describe your program?
  Our Beginning-to-Read Program uses a multi-sensory teaching methodology to ensure that all types of learners---auditory, visual, and "hands on"---achieve success. If taught properly, K4s (4-year-olds) commonly can read at a 1st or 2nd grade level by the end of the school year. K5s or B1st (5-year-olds/Beginning 1st Graders) students, with only one year of school, traditionally can read at 2nd or 3rd grade level. Those with two or more years of Christ-Centered Phonics/Reading often read at 3rd grade level, or higher---some have even scored at 7th or 8th grade. The complete program is comprised of Christ-Centered Phonics materials plus Beginning Readers, as described below.
  
  Note: For an overview of the four steps involved in teaching a child to read, how to customize Christ-Centered Phonics for your family, plus tips on meeting a large family's teaching needs, click on Phonics in a Nutshell under "Seminars."

CHRIST-CENTERED PHONICS:

The Beginning-to-Read phonics portion contains the materials below. (All of these items along with complete descriptions can be found in the Phonics section of our online catalog. Click Here.)

• Phonics Visual Aids
  Alphabet Wall Cards, Phonics Flashcards Set (118 cards), Noah's Vowel Song, Vowel Lane Houses, Phonics Drill Charts & Spelling Rules, Jacob's Phonics Ladder, Letter/Blend/Word Search, and Phonics Cassette
     
• Phonics Lessons
  During the school year, both K4 and K5/B1st students should complete Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 1-31 and Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 32-66 instruction; K5/B1st students should also complete Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 67-93. To see a sample, click here.
  
  Note: The above Phonics Lessons will be used more than once. We must never assume that because a child has completed one lesson plan book that he or she has mastered it. The increased challenge the following year will come through focusing mainly on exercises in previously-taught Phonics Lessons that still need strengthening, teaching an additional Phonics Lessons book, plus completion of three higher level phonics workbooks. You should also see reading progress through the more advanced Beginning Readers.
     
• Phonics Workbook Instructions & Answer Keys
  After completing the daily instruction in the Phonics Lessons manual, the next step is to use the appropriate level Phonics Workbook Instructions & Answer Key to help your child complete assigned workbook pages. To see a sample, click here.
     
• Phonics Workbooks
  Workbook assignments can be one of the best times to develop godly character in your students! The goal should never be to just complete a certain number of pages per day, but to encourage quality work---with a proper attitude. (For more information, click on Building Godly Character Through Seatwork Activities under "Seminars.") K4s should complete Phonics Workbooks: Level A:1 and A:2 in a year's time; K5/B1st students should finish Phonics Workbooks: Level B:1, B:2, and B:3.
     
• Alphabet & Numbers Tracing Masters
  Although penmanship practice is included in the workbooks, extra practice is often needed to further develop a young child's fine motor skills. The alphabet tracing masters may be reproduced for that purpose. (The numbers tracing masters correlate with Math Lessons Guide: Level A.)

  For a complete description of all the above items, click here to access the phonics section of our online catalog. All of the phonics materials are included in the Discounted Teaching Packages.

  To see a representative sample of phonics materials, click on Samples.

BEGINNING READERS:

Beginning readers provide opportunities to learn how to blend the sounds letters make into words, and then apply that knowledge to reading phrases and sentences. Regular reading practices are absolutely essential. When to begin the first little reader, Creation: GOD MADE ME, is flagged in Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 1-31. Your student should then proceed through the recommended reading sequence below---as rapidly as God-given capabilities allow. (All of the readers below can be found in the Early Readers section of our online catalog. Click Here.)

• Creation: GOD MADE ME
  This beginning reader is adapted from the Christ-Centered Phonics Drill Reader. It tells the story of creation as children learn to read initial consonant short vowel blends, phrases, and simple sentences. The reading level corresponds with Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 1-31 instruction.
     
• Short Vowel Readers Set
  This four-color set of five short vowel readers should be used after a student completes Creation: GOD MADE ME. Each little book begins with practice on a few high frequency sight words plus the short vowel words contained in the story. A spiritual application, to be read after finishing a book, is included. Titles: Dan and Ken Help - Book 1, Meg's Tomcat - Book 2, Dan's Pet - Book 3, Dan's Hill - Book 4, and Dan's Big Pig - Book 5. Available summer '05.
     
• The Fall: GOD LOVES ME
  This little reader, also adapted from the Christ-Centered Phonics Drill Reader, tells the story of when sin first entered the world plus God's remedy of salvation. Children will practice reading ending consonant blends, consonant blends, long vowel one-syllable words, phrases, and sentences. The reading level corresponds with the content of Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 32-66.
         
• The Flood: GOD SAVES ME
  This is the third little reader adapted from the Christ-Centered Phonics Drill Reader. It tells the story of the Flood as children practice reading two-syllable root words, compound words, suffixes (-s, -es, -ed, and -ing), vowel digraphs, modified vowels, diphthongs, sentences, and short paragraphs. The reading level corresponds with the content of Phonics Lessons for Flashcards 67-93.
     
• "God is Good" Series
  The stories in these readers are both interesting and informative. They should be introduced after completion of The Flood: GOD SAVES ME. This set of 9 books (by Rod and Staff Publishers) will help a child transition from the beginning readers, which contain one- and two-syllable words, to a more diverse vocabulary. A child should proceed through these readers at a comfortable pacing---according to his or her own God-given capabilities.
     
• God's World News
  

  Use the God's World News service -- newspapers, maps, online materials, teacher helps and more -- to help children see the relevance of their subjects to real world events, and the relevance of Scripture to all. Visit www.gwnews.com/ccc
  
  

   

  Click here to access the Early Readers section of our online catalog.

  Click here to access the Discounted Teaching Packages. (All of the phonics materials and most of the readers are included in these packages.)

  Note: After your child completes the Beginning-to-Read Program, he or she should go on to the Advanced Phonics Program (Phonics Levels C:1, C:2, and C:3) plus further recommended readers. Click here to access the Advanced Phonics information.