FAQ

Pathway To Reading

  • What is unique about this program?
  • What age should I start Level 1: First Steps?
  • Can I start at any level?
  • How long does a lesson take?
  • How long does it take to complete a level?
  • Do I need the Student Pages?
  • What grade levels are these for?
  • When will all the levels be released?
  • Can I get a physical copy of the book?
  • How many levels are there?
  • Is it open-and-go?
  • What materials do I need?
  • What is covered in each level?
  • How do I know what level to start on?

What is unique about this program?

1. It's mastery based, designed to go at your own pace. Because nearly all of my professional and tutoring experience is with students who needed extra support, all of this support is built into the program. At the same time, students who learn quickly are able to move on as soon as they are ready, providing easy differentiation. 

2. It's affordable. My goal was to create a comprehensive K-2 program from under $100. The instructor's guide digital downloads are available for $10 each. While the student pages are highly recommended, it is possible to use the program with only the instructor's guide. It can be printed at home or the parent can read it from a device. 

3. Few extra materials are needed. If needed, this program can be completed with only a pencil and paper. Individual letter tiles and a whiteboard are highly recommended for ease of use, but if a parent is on a strict budget, an instructor's guide, paper, and pencil is all that's needed.

4. It includes handwriting, reading, and spelling. The latest research includes the value of all three of these being taught in union. Students are instructed to "decode" (read) and "encode" (spell). These two skills support each other. For students who are quick learners, I recommend focusing on the "encoding" aspect of this curriculum, having the student both read and spell the words from that unit.

5. It's simple and easy to use. The lessons are loosely scripted. The first few lessons explain how to complete each step. Then, further lessons include a two page spread. Open and teach. The Student Pages have simple games and activities to complete after every 5 lessons. You can pick the ones that your child enjoys the most or save a longer activity for a day that you have more time.

What age should I start Level 1: First Steps?

Begin Level 1 whenever your child shows interest in reading or when he is 6 years old, whichever comes first. I recommend ages 4-6. 

Can I start at any level?


Both levels 1 and 2 are entry points into the curriculum. If you'd like to start at level 3 or later, I recommend purchasing the Student Pages of previous levels and using them to review concepts and ensure that you've learned all of the Heart Words for the levels before moving on. 

How long does a lesson take?

Each lesson, if completed in its whole, will take between 10-30 minutes. You may spread the lesson out across several days or repeat parts of the lesson as needed.

How long does it take to complete a level?

Each level has 25 lessons. The lessons are designed to take between 1-3 days each. Every 5 lessons, you pause and complete practice activities for up to 10 days or until your child masters the content. Take as long as you need on each lesson and focus on mastering the concepts.

Do I need the Student Pages?

While the Student Pages provide reading material, lesson sheets, games, and activities, it is possible to use just the instructor's guide if desired. As a parent, you may create your own activities and write your own sentences using the word lists from the lessons. 

Level 1 does NOT have an extra book for student pages. Everything is within one book.

What grade levels are these for?

Each child learns at his own pace. Take as long as you need to master the material. The first 6 levels cover the majority of the reading content needed for students to become competent readers.

 

Eventually, the last 3 levels contain uncommon spellings, word roots, prefixes, suffixes, homophones, contractions, and etymology. 

Roughly speaking:

  • PreK-1st: Levels 1-3
  • 1st-2nd: Levels 3-6 (Coming Soon!)
  • 2nd-5th: Levels 7-9 (Not Yet Released!)

 

When will all the levels be released?

Levels 1-3 are available in the fall of 2024. Levels 4-6 will be released in the Spring of 2025.

Levels 7-9 will be released at a later date. They will not be part of the core reading program, but will include strategies for multisyllabic words, foreign words, and vocabulary up through a 5th grade level.

Can I get a physical copy of the book?

Yes, you can buy one from amazon here. My personal recommendation is to purchase a physical copy of the instructor's guide, and to buy a digital copy of the student pages if you are able to print it at home. 

How many levels are there?

There are 6 levels in the core reading program. Levels 1-3 are available now, and levels 4-6 are in the workS1

At a later date, there are 3 additional levels that will cover uncommon spellings, word roots, contractions, homophones, etc. up through a 5th grade level.

Is it open-and-go?

Yes, the program is loosely scripted and does not need advanced preparation.

What materials do I need?

For the core lessons, you will need a set of magnetic letters and a magnetic surface (a cheap cookie tray or whiteboard works great!). If you don't have this, you can write letters on sticky notes or slips of papers. I also recommend a whiteboard or chalkboard. 

For the Student Pages and games, you'll need a 6 sided die, markers, and some sort of place markers/ "counters". I recommend using dry beans, dry cereal, small blocks, or beads. 

 

What is covered in each level?

Check out the Scope and Sequence! It may be different than other programs, but everything is covered in a systematic way!

Scope and Sequence

How do I know what level to start on?

I recommend beginning with Level 1 or 2. If your child has been introduced to the concepts but simply needs review, the Student Pages include games, activities, and worksheets to practice the skills. 

If your child has already had significant reading instruction and is doing well, check out the placement test.

SPROUTS Writing Program

  • What is unique about this program?
  • What does it mean that it must be "paired with content"?
  • What is a "writing strategy"?
  • What do you mean by "explicit instruction"?
  • Can I use this with multiple kids at the same time?
  • Can I really use this for three years?
  • Is this program open and go?
  • I thought kids should be writing essays by 5th grade. Why are you just starting paragraphs?
  • Does my kid really need to know these grammar terms?
  • Why is it in two parts?
  • Do I have to do both parts?
  • Is this an all-in-one language arts program?
  • Do I need to know grammar and writing to teach this?
  • Why do you always say, "he". Can I teach this to a girl?

What is unique about this program?

1. Grammar is taught in the context of writing. Students learn about grammar in order to use it in writing. Grammatical techniques are presented as tools for writing, not as random terms to memorize. 

2. It complements what you are already learning. This is designed to bring high quality writing and language arts instruction to whatever you are already doing. This makes it more efficient. By combining your writing program with something you're studying in science, history, or literature, your school day is more streamlined. 

3. You can use it in a way that makes sense for your family. Can you fit it in twice a week or five days a week? Do you want to work with your 7 year old and 10 year old together? SPROUTS can do that. You can use it for a season, put it away, and pull it back out next year when you are ready for more writing. 

4. Mastery checkpoints are offered. Parents are given a clear set of items that their child should know before they are ready to move on. Practice activities are given, and parents practice with their child until their child is ready. 

5. Students are taught HOW to write... not just told TO write. While some students seem to naturally pick up on writing, many students need explicit guidance on how to write. Reluctant writers, kids who call themselves a "bad writer", often just need a bit of guidance on how to write. These writing strategies work to give clear steps on how to eliminate the "I don't know what to write" situation that many parents encounter.

What does it mean that it must be "paired with content"?

Students writing improves when they have something to write about! This program doesn't include writing topics. Instead, it pairs with whatever you are already learning about.

What is a "writing strategy"?

A writing strategy is an open-ended tool that helps students think of information, organize it, and then use that information to write sentences and paragraphs. A simple example that you probably have heard of before is a Venn Diagram. Students think about similarities and differences and organize them into the chart, which then supports them in writing about the similarities and differences. 

What do you mean by "explicit instruction"?

Rather than broad requests like, "Add more details!" Students are taught about different techniques to add more detail and meaning to their writing.

Can I use this with multiple kids at the same time?

Yes. This program is perfect to use with several kids. Older children can review and master their craft while young students can begin practicing. Writing is an area where it's (almost) always beneficial to continue to practice and grow.

Can I really use this for three years?

Yes!  I recommend using this program for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades, and that could easily bump up or down a grade depending on when your family is ready to begin. It's also the perfect spot to begin for a 5th or 6th grader who is a reluctant writer or is ready to learn to write. You can also cover everything in one year if you follow a more rigorous schedule. 

Is this program open and go?

Part 1 lessons are loosely scripted and don't typically need any advanced preparation. Part 2 writing strategies will require parents to choose a writing strategy and choose a topic based on something else you are studying. That part is NOT open and go and requires some parental thought and input.

I thought kids should be writing essays by 5th grade. Why are you just starting paragraphs?

The SPROUTS philosophy focuses on quality over quantity. When younger kids are taught essay formats, they are often taught about the structure and patterns of essay without much concern for the content- the expectations for content come later. With this program, students are taught to write quality content, and length is added as they grow. 

When I taught 7th grade, if a student was able to begin the year consistently writing strong paragraphs, my teaching team was pleased.

Does my kid really need to know these grammar terms?

Learning the vocabulary of grammar is important for being able to talk about it. You can say, "This sentence is a run on because it's two independent clauses," if your child knows what an independent clause is.

Why is it in two parts?

Part 1 is instruction on how to write sentences and paragraphs. Part 2 includes a set of writing strategies for kids to practice writing those sentences and paragraphs.

Do I have to do both parts?

You may find that one part is more valuable than the other. Use what you need to round out your language arts program.

Is this an all-in-one language arts program?

No, it is not comprehensive. Language arts can include phonics, handwriting, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, writing, literature... this program covers basic grammar and writing/composition.

Do I need to know grammar and writing to teach this?

An answer guide is included. However, because this program pairs with whatever content you are studying, parents should have a basic understanding of writing to use this program. The lesson provide a "refresher" and plenty of examples so you as a parent are prepared to give guidance to your child's writing. 

Why do you always say, "he". Can I teach this to a girl?

I use he/his because I have two sons. Using other terms felt cluttered and sloppy. Feel free to substitute as needed for your own family.