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Most kids can learn to read simply by watching along as they are being read to. WHole word, phonics, it just doesn't matter for most of us. In my own family, we have a bunch of early readers - most of my own children and grandchildren were able to read before 4 years of age, and several of them were able to read before age 2. If they received any phonics instruction, it was limited to Dr. Seuss' "Big A, Little A, what begins with A?" Some people just pick up reading and it doesn't matter what the school does as these kids will read anyway.

HOWEVER, there are some people who really need phonics. We have a grandson who struggled mightily learning to read. In March of second grade he could barely get through Go Dog Go! without assistance. He began receiving instruction in the Wilson Method that same March. Wilson has been described to me as "phonics on steroids." By September of that same year, a mere 6 months later, he could struggle through the Ready Freddy series with some help. I am happy to report that by March of this year - so one year after beginning the Wilson method - the boy can read the Magic Treehouse series completely on his own. In other words, he's reading at grade level. I'm actually tearing up as I'm typing that.

Unfortunately, Wilson is a one on one method and it's not currently possible for schools to spend that kind of money. However, most kids don't need it. I think schools should spend less money trying to teach everyone to read. Let the bulk of the kids learn organically and focus efforts and funding on those kids who can't read. The Wilson Method is costing my daughter $110 per week - most families don't have that. Thank God they do. Yet, without the Wilson Method, I have no doubt my grandson would be struggling along and his self esteem would be suffering mightily.