Explode The Code 
When I was teaching my children to read I did find a little gem to help reinforce their phonics skills. It was Explode The Code!
These books were a surprise to me! Mostly because my children hate workbook type of learning. Whenever I have tried workbooks with my children it had been a disaster but Explode The Code was different. My children would actually ask if they could do their Explode The Code books!
So let me tell how Explode The Code is set up. It is for grades kindergarten through fourth grade. There are 2 workbooks for each grade level. For example first grade has books 1 and 1 1/2 and second grade has books 2 and 2 1/2. The ” half” books are for children who need extra reinforcement in that grade level. Each day your child does one or two pages. Once the children have done the workbooks for awhile they are able to do them on their own with little instruction. The lessons are set up in a consistent manner that helps the child to easily learn the phonic patterns. The lessons consist of matching, reading, copying, spelling, writing sounds and words. The lessons take very little time. My children easily had the lessons done in 10 minutes. There isn’t any teacher preparation!
Explode the Code can be a complete phonics program or a supplement to your program. I saw wonderful progress with my children. It really cemented those phonic skills!
Explode is also available on-line now! I have not used their on-line product.
Explode is very affordable, less than $10.00 a workbook. Here is a link for more info:
I highly recommend these workbooks! These were a gem in our homeschooling!
Written by Korey
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello! I’ ve been looking online all night. Very tired and mentally spent. Does anyone at all know about “ABC The Key with Miss Jones” for reading and phonics. I was planning to get it as I am starting my son in kindergarten this month. Any help at all is so appreciated. THANK YOU! : ) Debbie
I agree about Explode the Code. I had heard about it and seen but was not sure about it until we tried it. My son does not like any language arts (and we’ve tried many) expect for this. Both of my children LOVE ETC and beg to do it!! I am so thankful to the manufacturer for these workbooks.
April Kelley´s last blog ..Megan’s first Lost tooth
I never realized that they were by grade level. My newly 7 year old is on book 5 and doing awesome so is that 5th grade level?!
Shannon, I haven’t used them by grade level, personally. How ever many pages can be done in 15 minutes is what we do generally. Then we spend the rest of the time reading or playing phonics games.
Debbie, I’m sorry I have not heard of the book you mentioned.
Brenda´s last blog ..Sunday pancake breakfasts
Has any one used the preschool Explode the Code workbooks (I think there are 2?)? I’m wondering if they are worthwhile.
Heather
I use the code books as well for my children. I wanted to leave a comment because it seems that there may be some confusion with the grade levels. These books only go up to grade 4. First grade books 1-2, second grade books 3-4, third grade 5-6 and fourth 7-8. I am writing this in response to the post from Shannon C. The 1/2 books are in case a student needs more help.
The preschool books are Get Set For the Code A, B and C.