Loved hearing your thorough review! I have heard many good things about this program but didn't really understand what all it involved. That point about a consistent 15-20 minutes is so helpful.
Hi! Thank you for this video. It’s one of the best I’ve seen on AAR. I have a slightly older struggling reader who doesn’t like babyish things. Would you say this program was very effective even without using much of the activity pages?
Yes!! I thought this program was great for older kids when modified by leaving out the majority of the activity pages. When I did it with one of my kids who was on the older end, we mostly stuck to doing the lesson, and doing the activity pages where the student reads through the lists of words. We also did the word flashcards and read the stories in the readers. That worked well for us and I find this program is less babyish than lots of the ones out there!
We are finishing up Level 1 and starting this level 2 for next year. I have a few questions. We didn't get all the through before summer break so I'm going to continue 3 days a week or so and we should be fine. Do you think that is a good idea or let them have a summer break? I don't want them to forget what they learned over summer. Also, it seemed like level 1 took a long time to get through. I did all the activities and I'm learning my child doesn't need all the activity pages but since it was my first year we did. Does level 2 take as long as level one? I've heard it goes by quicker but wanted to hear your opinion. And lastly, do you do all four levels of AAR? That seems like a lot and I'm a little overwhelmed that we have three more levels yet to do. Thanks for your help!
We always do a little school over the summer, but that is just what works for our family! I prefer to do a little over the summer, and be more flexible when fun things come up during the school months. I think how fast you can move through the levels depends on your child! My one child moved through a little slower and we read many of the activity pages. My youngest picked up reading very quickly, and we flew through level 2 and 3, and did very few of the activity pages. The pages are great, but she just didn't need the extra practice for the most part. If your child starts reading confidently, you don't have to do all the levels! I finished up level 3 with my youngest, and she is confidently reading chapter books now, so I don't see the need to continue with level 4 for her. I hope that helps!
Thank you for this. I have been wanting to try this for the fall. Would you say explode the code is necessary if using this? You mentioned it could be used for older children, how old would you say? I find my rising 6th grader struggles a little bit still. But would she be TOO old?🤔
Explode the Code isn't necessary as this program really does stand on it's own. That being said, I do add Explode the Code because first, my kids and I like it, second, it is something they can do mostly independently to practice phonics skills, and third, it does pair nicely with what they are learning in AAR if you get the right book. So! Totally up to the parent if they want to add it in or not. My youngest is SUPER fast at doing her work, so it was nice for me to hand her something she could go do on her own since all the AAR lessons the parent does with the child. As far as your 6th grader, you would have to do the placement test online in Level 4. We jumped into AAR Level 4 with my middle child without doing previous books because he needed strategies to decode words. It made a huge difference for him, so it's just finding out if it's the right level for your child!
@@karlacanon2507 oh thank you so much! My son really likes explode the code too:) But I am really intrigued with the AAR program. I will definitely have my middle schooler take a placement test. I think having a program assist her in learning to decode words is the key to success. So sad to see programs like these completely scrapped from the school system.
If I buy Level 2, there's a good chance I will end up using it for multiple kids. Will I need to buy a new student book for each kid as they come to that level, and will the rest be re-usable?
It depends how carefully you use and store it! When I pulled out the pages of the student workbook, I carefully put the pieces into little envelopes when we were done with them, and labelled them with the lesson they went with. I have them all stored so it will be easy for me to use with another child and I won't need another student book. You don't write on any of the pages, so as long as you keep the parts you cut out, you will be good to go!
Awesome! It seems similar to the good and the beautiful. I don’t know which is more affordable, I’ll have to check. Thank you for the very thorough information
Thanks for the video! Does AAR still need other outside readers to do together such as BOB reader and Fitzroy reader to support the learning ? Is that necessary or it solid and thorough enough by it alone without other readers? Thank you in advance ! 😊
It is solid enough on it's own, but I personally think the more books the better!! We got books from the library, and I have easy readers at home that we added in for fun and variety.
Loved hearing your thorough review! I have heard many good things about this program but didn't really understand what all it involved. That point about a consistent 15-20 minutes is so helpful.
Even though the teacher book is thick, it's really easy to use! I have learned so much about language from it myself! :)
Thank you! Fantastic overview of the program! Presented like a true teacher 😉
Thanks so much! 🥰
Hi! Thank you for this video. It’s one of the best I’ve seen on AAR. I have a slightly older struggling reader who doesn’t like babyish things. Would you say this program was very effective even without using much of the activity pages?
Yes!! I thought this program was great for older kids when modified by leaving out the majority of the activity pages. When I did it with one of my kids who was on the older end, we mostly stuck to doing the lesson, and doing the activity pages where the student reads through the lists of words. We also did the word flashcards and read the stories in the readers. That worked well for us and I find this program is less babyish than lots of the ones out there!
@@karlacanon2507 thanks so much! The less the better in terms of reading😅 We are struggling over here
@@ashleymurphy4813 It will come in time!!!
I’ve watched you a ton, didn’t know you’re from Alberta too! Tnx for all your tips and reviews!
Thank you! 😄
Send all the books
Could I use the letter tile app on my phone?
Yes, but a bigger tablet would probably be my first choice.
We are finishing up Level 1 and starting this level 2 for next year. I have a few questions. We didn't get all the through before summer break so I'm going to continue 3 days a week or so and we should be fine. Do you think that is a good idea or let them have a summer break? I don't want them to forget what they learned over summer. Also, it seemed like level 1 took a long time to get through. I did all the activities and I'm learning my child doesn't need all the activity pages but since it was my first year we did. Does level 2 take as long as level one? I've heard it goes by quicker but wanted to hear your opinion. And lastly, do you do all four levels of AAR? That seems like a lot and I'm a little overwhelmed that we have three more levels yet to do. Thanks for your help!
We always do a little school over the summer, but that is just what works for our family! I prefer to do a little over the summer, and be more flexible when fun things come up during the school months. I think how fast you can move through the levels depends on your child! My one child moved through a little slower and we read many of the activity pages. My youngest picked up reading very quickly, and we flew through level 2 and 3, and did very few of the activity pages. The pages are great, but she just didn't need the extra practice for the most part. If your child starts reading confidently, you don't have to do all the levels! I finished up level 3 with my youngest, and she is confidently reading chapter books now, so I don't see the need to continue with level 4 for her. I hope that helps!
@@karlacanon2507 Thank you very much. Your video has been very helpful as well.
Thank you for this. I have been wanting to try this for the fall. Would you say explode the code is necessary if using this? You mentioned it could be used for older children, how old would you say? I find my rising 6th grader struggles a little bit still. But would she be TOO old?🤔
Explode the Code isn't necessary as this program really does stand on it's own. That being said, I do add Explode the Code because first, my kids and I like it, second, it is something they can do mostly independently to practice phonics skills, and third, it does pair nicely with what they are learning in AAR if you get the right book. So! Totally up to the parent if they want to add it in or not. My youngest is SUPER fast at doing her work, so it was nice for me to hand her something she could go do on her own since all the AAR lessons the parent does with the child. As far as your 6th grader, you would have to do the placement test online in Level 4. We jumped into AAR Level 4 with my middle child without doing previous books because he needed strategies to decode words. It made a huge difference for him, so it's just finding out if it's the right level for your child!
@@karlacanon2507 oh thank you so much! My son really likes explode the code too:) But I am really intrigued with the AAR program.
I will definitely have my middle schooler take a placement test. I think having a program assist her in learning to decode words is the key to success. So sad to see programs like these completely scrapped from the school system.
If I buy Level 2, there's a good chance I will end up using it for multiple kids. Will I need to buy a new student book for each kid as they come to that level, and will the rest be re-usable?
It depends how carefully you use and store it! When I pulled out the pages of the student workbook, I carefully put the pieces into little envelopes when we were done with them, and labelled them with the lesson they went with. I have them all stored so it will be easy for me to use with another child and I won't need another student book. You don't write on any of the pages, so as long as you keep the parts you cut out, you will be good to go!
@@karlacanon2507 That helps a lot, thanks!
Awesome! It seems similar to the good and the beautiful.
I don’t know which is more affordable, I’ll have to check. Thank you for the very thorough information
You bet! We really like it! :)
Thanks for the video! Does AAR still need other outside readers to do together such as BOB reader and Fitzroy reader to support the learning ? Is that necessary or it solid and thorough enough by it alone without other readers? Thank you in advance ! 😊
It is solid enough on it's own, but I personally think the more books the better!! We got books from the library, and I have easy readers at home that we added in for fun and variety.