Program 1 program designed to be one year’s work in a typical classroom setting where one Unit is completed each week. The standard is for Grade 3 level or the average student aged about 8 years. The program is written in plain English.
Students should know the alphabet and have a rudimentary knowledge of phonics before they start Program 1.
The content; and the knowledge and skills taught and the start of Program 1 are ‘full-on’.
- Unit 1 has the longest word list consisting of the 15 most frequently used ‘Must Know’ words (some difficult sight words) at this level. They form about 75% of writing at this level and learning these words is essential to success in writing and reading.
- The print version of Program 1 has a dictionary of List Words included, so access to a simple student dictionary will help develop the dictionary skills which will accelerate learning.
- The important understanding of vowels and consonants are learned.
- Learning to clearly read instructions is a skill focussed on early. Students are taught to read the whole question and not assume the question asked by using questions on vowels and consonants.
- Short vowel sounds and important non-phonetics words are covered. Long vowel sounds and digraphs are introduced later in the program.
- The concept of syllables is introduced.
- Dictionary skills, blends, homophones, synonyms, antonyms, doubled consonants, contractions, prefixes and suffixes, dictionary skills, plurals, nouns and verbs are taught.
Word Building lists provide word relationships, extension, and vocabulary building.
All Activities require thinking – there is no ‘busy’ work in the program. The answers to about 80% of the Activities of each Unit are the List Words of the Unit, which encourages students to persevere.
The teaching of basic concepts is required.
The online Activities are designed to challenge and engage students in a stimulating way.