We received a full year subscription to Reading Kingdom Online for two students from Reading Kingdom. This is an online reading program for kids in Preschool through third grade. Struggling readers, along with children with disabilities, dyslexia, or autism can also benefit from Reading Kingdom as it adapts for your child or student.
We started at an early reader level (recommended age of 4) for my son and daughter. Munchkin has used this program infrequently, since he struggles to keep up with the quick pace (mouse and keyboard are difficult to use at that age - a touch screen would be ideal). Reading Kingdom does offer keyboard and mouse training for those not accustomed to using them. However, Bean has enjoyed using this program as part of her daily reading lesson. She usually uses it for one or two lessons, and then we work on worksheets, early reader books, or flash cards.
The first time you log in, the Reading Kingdom video will show you a tutorial on the site and how it works. It will explain the various features it has to offer and suggestions on how to use the lessons. It advises that parents and teachers allow the students to work on their own and only offer assistance when it comes to moving the mouse (if need be). After the tutorial your student will be asked to complete a placement test to see what level they are at. From there they can begin lessons.
Each lesson lasts a couple minutes. You can pause the lesson for a limited time (up to 12 minutes) or stop the lesson. I personally would prefer an online program that lets us customize how long and how many times a lesson can be paused. In a regular school environment, it makes sense to have a timer limit you, because there are most likely other students who are waiting to use the program. But in a homeschool environment, while we try to work through one lesson at a time with no interruptions, sometimes life gets in the way and you need to take a break for more than 12 minutes, but don't want to have to stop the whole lesson. Either way, we have figured out ways to make it work.
Reading Kingdom focuses on six areas of reading: Phonics (Sounds), Sequencing, Writing, Meaning, Grammar, and Comprehension.
Here's an example of a problem: click on the letters in the order that they appear, from left to right.
We are still on the Seeing Sequences and Letter Land portion of the program, which is like an introductory course through visual sequencing skills and learning keyboard skills. Once through that, we will begin working on the first level of the reading and writing exercises. There are several "books" covered in each level, usually 5 or 6. Each book covers a handful of words. For example, book one covered: kid, girl, kids, girls, some, a, boys, and more. There is a progress check and review at the end of each section.
We have enjoyed using Reading Kingdom. It has been a great way for Bean to work on her keyboard and mouse skills while working on reading and writing. We look forward to watching her progress through the program over the course of the next few months. I have high hopes that this program is successful for her and gives her a wider foundation of reading comprehension.
Reading Kingdom offers a free 30 day trial, story books, workbooks, and other reading and writing resources that are available for purchase. The online program is available for $19.99 monthly or $199.99 yearly. There is a 25% off discount available for those who signup immediately.
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