By Stephen Guffanti, MD, and Maureen Guffanti
Bright Minds (a division of The Critical Thinking Co.)
www.brightminds.us
800-458-4849
Rocket Phonics (the revised edition, 2006) is essentially a game that is meant to painlessly teach children how to read, and to read well. It is for children in kindergarten through second grade.
My girls, 6 and 4, enjoyed the games. A favorite was the flashcards--neat drawings for each of the sounds. Even the older kids (11 and 9) got in on the bingo games, fashioning more playing pieces so they could all participate. The younger girls were less enthused about the "plain old reading parts." The four-year-old especially trailed off after the first several lessons. Though she reads some sight words now, she simply wasn't ready to progress as far as this program goes.
I see the major benefit of this phonics program: there's little to no writing required. If you have a resistant writer, Rocket Phonics provides all the tools necessary to produce a student who enjoys reading. However, if you want to make sure that writing is a part of your phonics program, you will need to supplement.
My favorite part of the whole set was the games, which are fun and inventive. But, as a parent, I suppose I should say that my favorite part was the complete and thorough instructions for parents/teachers. There are good hints and helpful pointers throughout the book, in addition to the instruction provided for individual lessons.
My only real complaint about this program is that there's just one set of bingo cards. We photocopied them (the copyright allows copying within one home or classroom), but when the little one wants to be just like her sister--well, let's just say that the six-year-old was very gracious. The girls were doing other phonics work that required writing, which I personally found to be useful.
A notable detail, which I find to be somewhat bothersome, is that this product must be ordered through an Independent Bright Minds Consultant. In order to do this, one may call the Corporate headquarters or search online for "Bright Minds"-there are several websites set up by said consultants. However, be aware when ordering that you are ordering through a consultant, not directly from the company. Some consultants also offer other services (personal consults, etc.) on their sites.
I would recommend this program. Critical Thinking Co. has done it again. This updated version of their Rocket Phonics is both fun and challenging for beginning readers.
Product review by Carrie Wilbur, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, March 2007
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