I have mentioned several times how much I am enjoying using Winter Promise curriculum this year, but have hesitated on posting a review. Mainly because there are soooo many things I love about it I just get overwhelmed & I’m afraid I won’t do it justice. In the comments of one of my recent posts Jennifer asked:
“Okay, so I've been trying to figure out what to use for next year for my almost 5 year old. Winter Promise has been one I've been looking at for LA. She knows all her letters and their short sounds, and most of their long sounds. She doesn't yet know blends, digraphs, all that. Would the PK/K level be too easy for her? What is your experience with the LA with your mustangs?”
Because I aim to please & I am so pleased with WP I promised to post a review of my experience & answer her question. So here is my attempt Jennifer . . .
First, I am using WP Pre-K/K Basic Phonics. I chose this level to begin with my Mustangs (at the time they were just turned 5 & 3) mainly b/c they showed very little interest in letters & sounds the year before & this is where they were (boys & age). I love Explode the Code books & have search high & low for a curriculum that expanded on these workbooks. WP uses ETC, but it is not it’s foundation. In fact, I’ve found that it is a little bit of everything – phonics study, reading, workbooks, hands-on activities, writing skills, & spelling. We don’t always do EVERYTHING listed, but the options are nice & the layout makes it easy to choose from. Here is a basic week:
- Phonics Study
- Letter & sounds (short & long) intro using cards *the cards are wonderful & include tips for introducing sounds & formation.
- The program begins with one letter per week for the first 26 weeks. It does NOT go in alphabetical order. The following weeks introduce blends & phonograms.
- Optional GeoSafari Phonics pad
- Worksheets
- ETC: Get Ready, Get Set, Go (avg. of 3 pgs daily)
- Language sheets that are included (*mostly handwriting sheets, but a few activity sheets)
- Jump Right into Reading workbook (1-2 pgs daily)
- Activities
- WP includes an awesome list of hands-on activities. “25 activities to take on the go” Some examples are: “Macaroni on a String, I am thinking of…., search and sort, cupboard search” – everything you need for these activities is included in the activity pack you purchase with the basic package. *alternate ideas are offered for use with Advanced K. 2 activities are suggested each week; however, you could add more if you wanted by just looking at the list.
- Readers
- These are making your own phonics reader by drawing picture of things that begin with the letter you are learning. (my boys skip this)
- Lifeskills
- I love this addition to the program! Some examples of lifeskills are measuring, 911 info, calendar skills, tying shoes, etc. *This is NOT included in the Advanced K program
- Creative Composition
- This is the section that ties in other WP programs (*Animal Worlds, AMER 1 & 2).
- Handwriting/Spelling
- 2-3 days a week suggested handwriting is suggested. 2 lines of current letter, & 1 line of 2-3 previous letters. *I didn’t start this program using this – I supplemented with HWOT b/c my boys weren’t ready for the small lines; however, they are begging to do it now & are doing great with it. We just had to work our way into it.
- Spelling begins on week 28; however, it is only suggested for students that are ready. 10 words & a list of activities (similar to the hands-on phonics activities).
- Taking Off in Reading
- This begins on week 9 after you have accumulated a mastery of several letters. From this week on your child will begin to put together some of the phonics cards (I use magnetic letters instead) to make words *a word list is included each week. I also added BOB books SLOWLY! The program progressively increases in difficulty & truly guides your child into reading without any major jumps.
- On week 14 sight words are introduced – 1 word per week until week 28 at which point phonograms begin.
Throughout this program you will not only find excellent teaching tips, but also wonderful encouragement, “Remember: If your student does not seem ready for these exercises, you may want to . . .” , “Make it fun!”, “DO NOT WORRY!”
I am using WP Pre-K/K Basic Phonics with Animals & Their Worlds & have been very happy with how these 2 programs blend together. Basically, a coloring page of animals beginning with the letter are included, Alphabet Art activities & crafts (using Alphabet Art – LOVE!!).
______________________________________________________________
Based on the pace my boys are progressing at & their attention span, I am planning on using WP Advanced K for the upcoming school year. And Jennifer, you are in luck b/c I have this guide as well. :)
Okay are you ready for this one? Here we go . . . I have found from my overview of the WP Advanced K guide (keep in mind I have NOT used it yet):
- Phonic study
- The first 3 weeks are a review of the basic sounds of all the letters of the alphabet. This part of the program uses phonics cards (did I mention how awesome these are?), & the optional GeoSafari phonics pad. Week 4-14 is an in-depth study of the five vowel sounds. The following weeks begin phonetic rules, phonograms, & blends.
- Reading Program
- WP uses fantastic readers – I’m Reading Now. I love these books & my children have loved these readers. These books begin in week 4, are continued throughout the program & are scheduled twice a week.
- Reading review begins in week 4. This is a list of words that will provide your child with an opportunity to increase their reading recognition & speed. You are also encouraged to add words to the list (ideas are also suggested).
- Workbooks
- ETC: Levels 1, 2, & 3 (avg. of 2 pgs daily)
- The Word Family Activity Book (1 pg daily)
- Read & Write Mini-Books *begins on week 23 & is used for the remainder of the program (1-3 pgs daily)
- Activities
- These are the same hands-on activities as described above; however there is a more advanced option for use with this guide. These activities are scheduled twice a week, with a “work on picture dictionary” day scheduled for the 5th (optional) day. Again, you can do more or less of these activities.
- Written Skills
- Creative composition
- Begins on week 4. This is the section that ties in other WP programs (Animal Worlds, AMER 1).
- Guided Handwriting Pages
- These are included in the program. Again, the lines seem awful thin for beginning writers in my opinion. This guide begins with short sentences, rather than letter formation like the previous guide. The sentences grow increasingly longer as the program progress; however, beginning on week 23 the student is instructed to write their own sentences using a given word. The handwriting activities begin to vary from this point on. (1 pg per week)
- Spelling
- Begins on week 4. You are given 8 words per week, you add them to a picture dictionary & then you have the option to choose from a list of hands-on spelling activities.
- Reading Review
- Each week there is a list of words for reading review.
____________________________________________________________
Well there you have it – a VERY detail description of the Pre-K/K Basic Phonics & WP Advanced K. I would also encourage you to visit their website & read the descriptions of each program. The site offers a very informative summary of all the WP Language Arts Programs – you can even take a peek at a sample of the guides. You may also find the Early Reader Placement Evaluation to be a great tool in your decision making.
I do want to add that with choosing either program one HUGE benefit of this curriculum is the option to use what you want, work at your own pace. Remember to make it work for you – NOT you working for it. You may need to work faster through the Basic Phonics program or a little slower through the Advanced. I hope this post gives you a better understanding for each program. Either way, based on my experience with using this curriculum – you can’t go wrong. I am totally happy with my choice in using this with my boys. I love it! & They love it!
