Author: LucyCristy wrote:Is there enough student reading to increase comprehension using the ECC program? I noticed in the sample lessons for ECC there were no assignments. Does this mean I need to get my own reading program? Thanks for your help.
Love In Jesus,
Cristy
Date: 6/8/2004
When I first started using this program I was wondering the same thing. MFW is a little different in their approach to children and reading at this age. The ECC program, along with the other years, provide several opportunities for reading. One is during history/geography reading time and science. Depending on the age and reading ability of your child you may find they would enjoy reading some of these books aloud or own their own. Either way their vocabulary will be increased.
Another big way that MFW provides for nurturing reading is through book basket time. You will notice it is scheduled and this is a time when your child(children) will explore books of different levels about what you are studying during that week. MFW wants children to have the freedom to choose books that interest them and learn to enjoy reading as well as learn on there on. This is not a time when they have to work through and finish a book though.
In the back of the T.M. there is a list of books which are listed by grade and are for your choosing. MFW wants your kids to choose, again, the reading book that they want rather than to be assigned books that they may not like. MFW assumes that by 2nd grade or by the start of ECC that your child has been through phonics/reading program and no longer needs instruction as much as they need to practice reading books that they like. So this may be a little harder at first than having a program but there is a lot of freedom for you and your child to find books that you both like.
The Spelling Power program which I use and is suggested by MFW is a big help in reviewing phonics rules. For 2nd grade MFW suggest using a Sounds and Structure as a spelling program and it will also review phonics as well. We still talk about them but not in a formal way anymore.
I hope this helps you get the bigger picture of reading in MFW. Actually for the first time this year my daughter is reading in her free time. I never thought I would see this day but it is great to have to tell her to stop reading.
Blessings,
Lucy