Saxon Phonics program

[tammey31]

I am a second grade teacher that would like to hear other teacher's opinions about using the Saxon Phonics program in their classroom. I work in a district that has three elementary buildings, one that uses saxon phonics, one that refuses to use saxon phonics and uses the phonics that is included in the reading series and the third building uses something totally different from the other two. We will soon be getting a new elem. building which will combine two of the elem. centers and I have a feeling there is going to be a war between teachers over whether or not to use this series. It would be interesting to hear what others think about it. Thanks!

I've used Saxon Phonics for several years. I really think it is valuable. I don't however do all the activities that is suggests. I don't have the time. I pick and choose what I feel is important. The children have to tear apart the words and look at each part. I have noticed that it isn't for all learning styles, but what program is? I think this program has made my students better readers and spellers.

I used the K, 1 and 2 Saxon Phonics programs and found them to be the most comprehensive way to teach phonics! Seeing, saying and writing information really helped my sp. needs students. The Grade 1 program is very involved with something called coding words which can get very confusing for parents since they often don't have close involvement with the program. I use bits and pieces of it and supplement with things I've acquired through the years. It has great phonemic awareness sections so there is practice daily. Some people see it as dry, but I used much of it and was very successful with my special needs students.
I've taught for over 20 years and haven't found anything yet to compare to the results we got with Saxon Phonics.
We found similar results with their Math program.

I would like for someone to scan and email me Saxon phonics rules. When my school became a Reading First school, we could no longer use Saxon because it isn't research-based, therefore, we had to dispose of all Saxon materials. However, the basal series we are using doesn't provide my students with the rules that Saxon does, and I can certainly tell the difference. If someone can send these rules to me, I would certainly appreciate them. [email]hmyers7882@yahoo.com[/email]

[glynnis]

I have not taught Saxon Phonics, but I work with kids who were taught using it. This past year my 1st graders had Saxon Phonics in Kindergarten and adjeusted well to reading in 1st grade. The Kindergarteners that are coming up in about 3 weeks are far behind due to the fact that they did not have Saxon Phonics. They did not get the phonics background that is required in Kindergarten. All of the 1st Grade teachers this year are preparing to start with Phonics instead of our reading program. I recommend using Saxon Phonics as I am seeing the results of not using the program.

Based upon what I've learned as a Reading Specialist, and having used the program in a first grade class, I was a bit put off by the program. It was impractical to teach children how to code words, the lessons were way too long (you'd have to spend about an hour alone getting through an entire lesson), the higher level students had no problem with the program, but the average to lower level learners struggled with it. The parents did not like the program, and were very confused as to how to help their child. I would not recommend this program.

I piloted Saxon PHonics for 2nd grade last year. I was amazed at the results. At the beginning of the year, I had 7 students on academic intervention plans for reading. In December, 6 of the 7 were removed from Reading Support and their AIPS! It was phenomenal what they could read and sound out using their phonics. I ,too, chose what to teach - leaving out the accenting, etc. since I didn't thing it was valuable enough for the time spent. I LOVE the program and now our school is using it in 1st and 2nd grade! I think it is the most exciting thing I've used in teaching :-)

I have been teaching Saxon phonics for about 5 years now and I absolutely love it. It teaches every aspect of phonics imaginable and my 1st graders always do very well on the Reading portion of standardized tests. I would recommend it to anyone. Yes, the lessons can be long, but after you get the hang of it, you can modify it to fit your children and schedule. The coding can be a bit much towards the end, but after they have the basics, they can do it!!

I love Saxon Phonics! Like one of the other teachers said, I don't do everything it says to do in the script, I just get to the meat of the lesson. It just helps the kids to learn rules to help sound out words independently.

[QUOTE=tammey31]I am a second grade teacher that would like to hear other teacher's opinions about using the Saxon Phonics program in their classroom. I work in a district that has three elementary buildings, one that uses saxon phonics, one that refuses to use saxon phonics and uses the phonics that is included in the reading series and the third building uses something totally different from the other two. We will soon be getting a new elem. building which will combine two of the elem. centers and I have a feeling there is going to be a war between teachers over whether or not to use this series. It would be interesting to hear what others think about it. Thanks! [/QUOTE]

Saxon is an awesome program. I'm a first grade teacher who recently took a new job in another district in Tulsa, OK. I came from a north side school (poverty) and taught Kinder. We used Saxon and most kids were reading by January. It is repetitive so you must have a stable student population. I'm now using it in first grade but the kids didn't have it in the kindergarten at my new school. While these kids are already reading (middle class White), I find that it's difficult for them to just jump into coding words since they've not had it before. And the parents don't have a clue on the homework. It's a great program and I think you should fight for it at all grade levels.

Gloria