Teaching a child to read can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Wonderful resources, like The Reading Game, 2nd Edition from Allsaid & Duun, LLC, can help make the process FUN and EXCITING!
What is The Reading Game?
The Reading Game was created by Wordly Wise author Kenneth Hodkinson. It teaches 180 words, most of which are Dolch and high-frequency words. These words are taught with decks of cards by playing a game similar to memory.
Included in the game are:
- 6 illustrated reading books
- 180 vocabulary cards
- 18 picture flashcards with captions
- guide book
- very sturdy box with dividers
How to Play The Reading Game
The gameplay is very simple and straightforward. There aren't a lot of complicated rules or setup procedures involved. The game requires two players—the teacher and the student. The teacher should be able to read all of the words on the cards, so the game could be played with an older sibling.
First, the teacher chooses the level to begin with and lays out the ten cards, face down, that corresponds to that level. The player then begins by flipping over two cards, saying the words as the cards are flipped. If the two cards match, the player keeps the cards. If they do not match, the cards are flipped back over, and play resumes.
The teacher repeats the process with the ten cards until the student is able to read all of the words fluently. At that point, the first ten cards are added to the next 10 cards, which teach five new words.
When all of the words from the two sets have been mastered, the teacher introduces the captioned flashcard for those word cards. The child then reads the flashcard. If it is read without any problems, the child moves on to the next stage. If there are problems reading any of the words, the teacher guides the child back to the word cards to continue practicing with the memory game.
As words are mastered, new captioned flashcards are used to evaluate learning. After all of the flashcards for a level have been read successfully, the child can then read the corresponding book.
There are a number of free printable assessments on the game website that will help track your child's learning. While most of the resources are made for classroom use, the assessments are for tracking and assessing individuals.
Our Thoughts on The Reading Game
My children are above the level meant for The Reading Game. Even so, my 9-year-old son was immediately drawn to the bright colors and wanted to try it out. He played several levels on his own and said that the game was fun. He asked to play several times over the next few days and eventually worked through all of the levels on his own.
I would definitely recommend the game for children who are learning to read or struggling readers who need a fun confidence-boosting experience. Though some may find the game suitable for reading instruction by itself, I found it to be more of a supplement. The game focuses on sight-reading and some word family recognition, but there is nothing in the way of phonics being taught to assist the child in more advanced reading. What it does do well is give the child a great head start by getting them to read books. This builds confidence to see them through future phonics learning.
Don't Just Take My Word For It
This is only one of 25 reviews that are available for The Reading Game, 2nd Edition by Allsaid & Duun, LLC. Be sure to visit the Homeschool Review Crew page to read more reviews by clicking on the banner below.
But wait!
The Crew is giving away FIVE games to lucky readers, so head over and enter today! The giveaway runs March 8–15, 2021. Open to US addresses only, ages 18+. Void where prohibited.
