Thump, Bump, and Ping-Pong

December 1, 2024

K-Gr 2-The content, illustrations, and clarity of scope and sequence in this set is lacking. While some of the covers and titles are compelling, it's clear upon digging into the text that the phonics targets are disorganized and disconnected from a logical flow. For example, in the title I Am So Lost, the target phonemes are /oy/ /ir/ /ay/ and /ea/. There is no rhyme or reason to why this group of phonemes are grouped together for practice, none of them are represented in the words of the title, and there are only one or two instances of words that include these phonemes in the text. This grouping contains a dipthong, an r-controlled vowel, a long /a/ vowel team, and a second vowel team that can make two distinct sounds. Other titles at this level are equally baffling. VERDICT This set in the series could not successfully support a developing reader in building accuracy, automaticity, and fluency without them potentially reaching a frustration point.

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