Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Alpha-Phonics: A Primer for Beginning Readers

Rate this book
Product DescriptionAlpha-Phonics now available on Kindle!! It is the same and is every bit as simple and effective as the book which first came out in 1983.The Kindle version has been carefully designed to work as easily for the Kindle viewer as it has proven to be for the print version user for so long.Alpha-Phonics. Probably the simplest, most effective systematic, intensive phonics reading instruction program available today. HERE'S WHY IT WORKS SO IT IS SIMPLE!!There are only 44 phonograms (sounds) the child needs to learn. There are only 44 sounds needed for the entire English language. Reading is simple to teach because all you have to do is teach the student to SOUND OUT the words they are trying to read. At first they sound the words out LOUD then later they do it in their head silently. That is ALL there is to teaching reading. Student begins with short vowels putting simplest words together (Like a plus m = am or a plus s = as; etc) and progresses to the more advanced words. With Alpha-Phonics the beginner can be reading simple sentences by lesson three, and that can be even on the first day!Other programs try to do too much. They inject grammar, pictures and other material, needlessly complicating the task. With Alpha-Phonics you just teach reading only. Alpha-Phonics has a BONUS in that you EASILY teach SPELLING as you go, lesson by lesson. You just spend a few minutes with each lesson doing oral and written dictation to teach spelling. Alpha-Phonics easily introduces over 3,500 words in its simple 128 lessons. Many children learn reading in only months. Alpha-Phonics also works very well for older, even grown adult, students who need remediation. Highly endorsed by leading homeschooling product reviewers Cathy Duffy and Mary Pride. Alpha-Phonics is regularly recommended by The Robinson Curriculum organization. Print version used very successfully by hundreds of thousands for almost 30 years by parents, tutors and teachers. Works exceptionally well in teaching English as a Second Language. Publisher has a 24/7 Helpline if you need assistance. Amazon also has optional accompanying Readers and Practice Workbook. SPECIAL Is there a negative about Alpha-Phonics? Yes. In the more than 25 years we've published Alpha-Phonics we have heard only one criticism. here it Some Moms say they think their child can become bored when taught with Alpha-Phonics. Too many parents are used to having fun-like, non-essential Bells & whistles, playing card decks, spin the needle, etc. Public Education has eschewed drill. They feel you have to entertain kids while teaching them. This only slows down the process. What many Moms don't realize is that with Alpha-Phonics their student can be READING simple sentences even on day one! Students do see a lot of words in the lessons of Alpha-Phonics, but they quickly are READING those words; they are accomplishing, not being entertained. Moms who feel it looks boring soon realize their child is actually learning to READ (To sound out) words (Over 3,500 new words in Alpha-Phonics). Besides, those bells & whistles make the program more expensive and complicated. The huge sense of success in actually reading will soon overcome any short-lived sense of boredom. This makes ultimately for very happy Moms, Dads AND students. We almost forgot a super BONUS for some parents in using Alpha-Phonics with their Many of the adults become better readers as they progress through Alpha-Phonics with their child. Go with the one that has weathered the test of time. Go with the one that is SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE and Go with ALPHA-PHONICS

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1983

325 people are currently reading
418 people want to read

About the author

Samuel L. Blumenfeld

37 books24 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
96 (62%)
4 stars
32 (20%)
3 stars
10 (6%)
2 stars
10 (6%)
1 star
5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Terri.
562 reviews5 followers
February 10, 2014
I have used this book to teach five of my children to read and it is very teacher friendly.

The fact that it is phonics based allows the students to learn the sounds of letters and digraphs so that they can encounter new words in the future and be able to easily sound them out.

The book begins with single letter sounds like the soft 'a' and then when they get that concept- that each letter has at least one sound, they begin to blend sounds like 'am' and then it moves on to put a sound in front of that 'am' and make it 'Sam.'

At the back of the book are the teacher's lessons which are concise and very helpful. Read each teacher's lesson for the corresponding reading lesson in less than a couple of minutes and you are ready to begin with your student.

It is an easy concept and makes learning to read a smooth event. If you are scared to teach your child to read this is going to be a very pleasant surprise.
14 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2009
Useful teaching tool for a child learning to read. My daughter can run through the lessons at her own pace. She enjoys these sequential lessons.
Profile Image for Suphatra.
259 reviews25 followers
July 21, 2023
It has been extremely hard, teaching my five-year-old how to read. With my oldest son, I focused on math at this age, but my middle son is more interested in stories, acting, singing, and the arts. So, I have been trying for the last year to advance his reading a little earlier. He enters kindergarten this fall where they will begin to read, so I know this effort is a bit premature. I started with “How to teach your child to read in 15 minutes a day” and a plethora of alumni and Spectrum books, but none of them caught on like Alphaphonics. My husband used this old school text on our oldest son seven years ago, and I was able to find an old edition through Amazon. It really is the best phonics book out there: simple, straightforward, and consistent. My middle son has been able to learn to read simple sentences in just the first couple weeks of lessons. This is a must-have book for any parent teaching ages 4-6 how to read!
Profile Image for Jurene.
362 reviews
June 6, 2022
A good program. Progresses quickly. However it wasn't interesting enough for my child. He warns to not mix this program with another, but I found the need to introduce Bob books to show value and fun. The book is set up for a class setting and not conducive for an organic learning environment all on its own. I'll continue to use it but not stick to the guidance of using this book as a sole source of use.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,087 reviews22 followers
September 7, 2022
I used this recently with a child who was not reading at all coming out of 2nd grade. After 3 weeks, he's now reading basic 3-and 4 letter words. While not yet at grade level, let's just say this is far beyond his school's expectations for him. And it's been great for his confidence.

This book gives you the basic concepts of teaching reading. I've heard that you can be flexible with lesson order and move more quickly to advanced words. I'll try that. I think what's important is that you get the concepts and then adjust for the kid you're working with.
1 review
Currently reading
January 16, 2022
Good book but hardcopy isn't available
Profile Image for Annie Kate.
366 reviews19 followers
September 26, 2012
Although Alpha-Phonics has been around for years, I did not have access to it when my children were learning to read. That is too bad. It would have saved us quite some tears and frustration.

Alpha-Phonics is a clear, simple, and inexpensive systematic phonics program that can be used on its own or in conjunction with another program. It is suitable for beginning readers and is also a resource for those who need special help.

The program consists of

---a book including both Student’s Lessons and a Teacher’s Manual, and
---a CD-ROM, complete with sound....

You can read the rest of my review at my blog, Tea Time with Annie Kate: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co...
Profile Image for David Ryan.
Author 1 book1 follower
March 28, 2012
This system is absolutely the best in teaching reading to pre-schoolers and above. It is easy, effective and quick! I highly recommend it to parents.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.