O Is for Odd Octopus

Carrie

says:

I guess this more of a review of AAR and AAS, then a comment, but hopefully you will find it helpful! We have used AAR levels 1-4 with 2 children now, and currently my 4 year old has been begging me to teach her as well. We have also used AAS levels 1-3 and have purchased 4-6 to use. My children are second language learners, and both programs helped them differentiate and identify sounds in the English language. It also supported vocabulary building and problem solving. I am also using AAS with a friend learning English as a second language and she is also thriving in the same ways.
My kids love the magnetic tiles and multi-sensory approach. I have one who is a very visual learner, and my other child needs to know why things are the way they are for him to understand them. This program is perfect for both of them. I love that it is not grade-level specific and you can move through the programs at the speed you and your child feel comfortable, without the pressure of getting through a curriculum.
My children also love how they can see their progress, which both motivates them and gives them confidence. They love moving on to a new book. The pictures in the readers facilitate comprehension. They are simple and black and white, but still very appealing. They are not overstimulating and they make the content of the text very clear, which was especially helpful to my ELL children. My 7 year old, who is a visual learner and can remember a word after he reads it one time, is ready for level 4, however he is not ready for the level of comprehension it requires. I may go ahead and complete the level with him for the sake of building his fluency, and then supplement with another literature program to build his understanding and language skills.
I love that my children are equipped with the tools they need to be able to decode any word, or to construct any word. It has really helped their problem solving skills as they both talk out loud to themselves and reason out the ways in which they should spell a word. While reading, I never have to tell them what a word says, but can remind them of simple rules or ask them certain questions about a rule, enabling them to successfully decode a word.
This program is so very different than many other spelling and reading programs, as a child does not have to rely on memorizing individual words in order to decode or spell them. If your child is gifted at memorizing words, then this program will fit your child and you can move at a faster pace. If your child has difficulty with memorizing words, then it gives your child the tools he or she needs to understand how different letters and sounds fit together in order to be a successful reader and speller and it also enables the instructor to quickly see the “holes” where your child might be struggling. Again, I have a child with both of these learning styles, and they are both thriving.
My children LOVE to read AND write because of these programs!

Robin E. at All About Learning Press

says: Customer Service

February 12, 2016 at 6:34 pm

Carrie,
This is such a thorough and detailed review of AAR and AAS. Thank you so much! I’m sure this will be helpful to others, especially those considering using AAR and AAS for learning English. Again, thank you!

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