Explode the Code: Review, Tips, and Tricks

[@MoniqueAduSustainableLiving]

Thank you so much for the detail, and time you put into going through this series of books. It was very helpful in deciding whether this could be a good option our homeschool. Many blessings to you and your homeschool this year.

[@msmary126]

Excellent video!!! Thank toy for sharing. We have 6 kids and homeschool. Love from Maine ❤

[@eleanor4330]

Thank you! My son is 5 and even though he likes explode the code he was constantly complaining about it because the amount of writing is overwhelming for him. I’m currently on book 1 1/2 and now have decided to just focus on the reading more than the writing! Your video confirmed what I already was thinking I need to change.

[@karlacanon2507]

Sounds like you were already on the right track! :)

[@elizabethgreene4038]

Thank you for your clear and concise review! I’m looking into some readers to go along with ETC workbooks. So far all I have are some of the BOB books. Can you recommend some others?

[@carinthiamontana7069]

You really have a gift for explaining curriculum!

[@karlacanon2507]

Thanks so much! I enjoy sharing what has worked for our family!

[@carlidoepke5131]

Thank you! Clear, concise, and great communicator!! We are doing All About Reading pre-reading now. And soon will start level 1, and do Explode the Code Level 1 with it. We have Bob books and lots of other Little readers, too! I think it’s going to be a good combination!!

[@karlacanon2507]

Thank you! It sounds like you have a great variety of resources! All wonderful things!

[@danielledowdall9981]

I really like the explode the code books. How do you incorporate this with your All About Reading lessons as well? I have AAR level 1 which I like but I don't want to over whelm them with too much. How do you do both of these programs? Thanks!

[@karlacanon2507]

Hi Danielle! Reading has come fairly easily to the daughter I'm working with right now, so we only do our AAR lessons on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On T/Th she does pages from Explode the Code. The other way I've done it, is to choose a level of Explode the Code that is something my child can do quite independently. In that scenario we do our AAR lessons together, and then later in the day I would assign a couple pages of Explode the Code for them to do mostly on their own. Often I would have my son do it at the table when I was making lunch, so he was basically doing it alone, but I was there for quick questions. I think you are right that you don't want to overwhelm them! :)

[@danielledowdall9981]

@@karlacanon2507 Ok Thank you!

[@henriandjenienholtland1579]

I just started with explode the code. I just flipped through book 1 first 3 lessons. It seems like sooo many worksheets for 3 days just practicing "a". And a lot of repetition Do you end up doing all the pages eventually (like 3 or 4 days to complete all of lesson 1) or do you pick 2 or 3 for each lesson and then move on to the next lesson next day?

[@QueenHonestlySavage]

Love how fun you make it… thanks for sharing

[@amywhitley6699]

Your videos have been extremely helpful. Do you use a planner of some sort to organize your lessons and plan your school year?

[@karlacanon2507]

I just do my planning with a pencil and notebook paper! I first figure out what subjects we will do as a family and write that down. Then I use one sheet of paper for each child, and write down what things I want to do/use for each subject. Then I try to get realistic and realize we can't possibly do it all. hahaha For subjects like math that I want to make sure we don't get behind in, I just write in pencil in the table of contents where I think we should be by the end of each month to help keep track of it. All the other subjects I'm more flexible with, so get a rough idea of where we should be by mid and end of year, but I know that often changes and I'm okay with that!

[@amywhitley6699]

@@karlacanon2507 That's funny. I use a pencil and notebook for EVERYTHING! 😁 We have very similar personalities. Your videos have helped me so much in planning for school this year. Thank you!

[@karlacanon2507]

@@amywhitley6699 It makes me so happy to hear that the videos have been helpful! I love homeschooling and sharing that with other families!

[@paigefjones]

Great review - thank you! Looks like a great option for my 5 and 6.5 yr old.

[@tracy8591]

If you had to choose from Explode the Code or The Spelling you See, which one would you go with? We will be possibly doing TGTB Language Arts along with some GR and I’m finding I’ve got too much for my younger ones and don’t want to overwhelm them. Which one do you personally feel would be most beneficial?

[@karlacanon2507]

I use Explode the Code to teach reading, so that's where I would start!

[@allisonridgeway4449]

Do you add a grammar curriculum with Explode the Code? I was wondering if it is enough in the grammar area.

[@karlacanon2507]

I don't use anything for grammar until my kids are reading fairly confidently. Explode the Code is just phonics - no grammar. :)

[@peachy_reina]

I'm thinking of using ETC with the teacher's guide, Bob Books, a writing workbook, and First Language Lessons for my 1st grader next year. Hopefully it's enough

[@karlacanon2507]

I think that sounds perfect!!

[@henriandjenienholtland1579]

This sounds like the exact setup I have. Except instead of a writing curriculum I downloaded a font so I can type out my own sheets. We can trace bible verses or little summary of whatever we are learning

[@peachy_reina]

@@henriandjenienholtland1579 what font do you use? I'm curious about what your sheets look like! I ended up using ETC 2, Bob Books, Phonics Pathways, and Reading Eggs. He also has some writing practice throughout his other subjects and writes his name on everything.

[@zaidarodriguez5037]

Have you use hooked on phonics?

[@karlacanon2507]

No I haven't :)

[@kimberlyschwed622]

So helpful. Thanks!

[@karlacanon2507]

I'm glad!! :)