Additional information
by Erika Burton (Author)
The idea behind the HALV ROUNDTABLE Learning: Learn-to-Read series is simple and heartfelt-make learning to read an empowering and fun process for both kids and parents alike. I designed this learn-to-read series with simple, hand-drawn illustrations that are meant to provide easy clues for new readers to use to help them start "reading" right away. Then, with repetitive lines throughout the short stories, it becomes easy for kindergarteners to quickly starting reading words and sentences. With such early success, new readers are then able to quickly build confidence and therefore enthusiasm, encouraging and empowering them to make great strides forward on their reading journey. I have curated sight word and vocabulary lists at the end of each short story as well as a cumulative sight word list at the end of each volume to facilitate easy mastery of the key English words in each story. I have utilized common words for the sight words and then used them over and over in the stories as sight words are simply a matter of memorization and repetitive practice. I understand that young kids often don't have the patience for a long period of sitting and no parent wants to be pulling their hair trying to get their child to make it through a learning to read session. Following the method outlined in the included Guide, each short story is designed to be read through, along with the sight word and vocabulary list, a couple of times in about a 10 - 15 minute sitting period. With a couple of reading sessions a day as well as practicing with the accompanying workbook, reading success is sure to be soon at hand.
I created this learn-to-read series based on my experience as a homeschooling mother combined with my knowledge from my Bachelor of Social Work degree. While teaching my oldest two children to read, I found that the resources available were lacking. A lot of the early reading options I found out there were too challenging for my new kindergarten readers and oftentimes, the illustrations were so complex and busy that they just weren't able to figure out what clues the drawings were supposed to be giving as to the words they were supposed to be reading. Out of this and my innate knowledge and understanding of the English language, the HALV ROUNDTABLE Learning: Learn-to-Read series came to life. It is my hope that with this series, you and your child are able one day to look back on the time you spent together learning to read with fondness.
I have included a Parent's Guide which outlines my strategies and method for teaching kindergarteners/beginner readers to read. This includes a step-by-step process that is designed to be straightforward and hopefully, takes some of the mystery out of teaching your child how to read. I go over some tips to aid in early reading success as well as discuss some options for making reading a life-long skill. I offer further educational resources online via my online presence at HALV ROUNDTABLE Learning. Whether you are homeschooling your child, a school teacher or a parent trying to help your new reader, HALV ROUNDTABLE Learning: Learn-to-Read series is a great option.
