All About Teaching and Learning Phonics

[tamarind]

kaitlynangelica,

For hardcover books, it is still cheaper to buy from amazon.com after including shipping cost(direct shipping). Hardcover books are very expensive in Singapore. Paperbacks are cheaper in Singapore.

[autumnbronze]

Thanks for the valuable advice Tamarind.


Just want to share with you that I have just started my DS on letter sounds.

I do not have the Leapfrog DVD but rather am using the Oxford Essential Reading phonics set of books which comes with a CD, you know the one that goes \"ants on the apple, a a a\". Was enticed into buying that when DS was about a year old and used to let him listen to the CD. Now he listens, looks at the words while singing along with the CD. He also tries to identify other words beginning with the letter sound in the book too. Also prefer this method personally cuz I do not encourage him to watch much TV. Here are the pix:

http://www.postimage.org/

http://www.postimage.org/


Like you, I spend 15 mins every day on phonics and about a week or less on each letter sound. He is now at letter sound \"h.\"

So anyway, I was just wondering how to proceed after the individual letter sounds when I chanced upon your post above. I will follow up with your step 2 and 3 after this.

Thanks again

[autumnbronze]

post deleted

[pummanuel]

kaitlynangelica:

Hi tamarind,

Don't the prices come up to a lot after adding in shipping charges?

Hi kaitlynangelica

Besides buying from Amazon and sending via vpost, or some other alternative couriers, we can wait for offers for free delivery too. A few months ago, there was an offer by Amex for free shipping from US for anything below 3kg. I bought my Winnie the Pooh set then. The recent one I was told is hopshopgo.com, for first time customers, restricted to 2kg.

As I normally buy 1-2 books at one time, if there are no free shipping offers, I will buy from The Book Depository. Depending on the books, some are slightly cheaper than Amazon (without the 3-for-1 promotion) and some are slightly more ex, some much more ex. But so far, all are cheaper than our local bookstores, even after their 20% discounts.

[pummanuel]

tamarind:

pummanuel,

Momo is suitable for kids at least 8 years and above, the reading level of the book is about our P4/P5 standard. Kids need to have a certain level of maturity in order to appreciate it. Before reading Momo, kids should read the Neverending Story, another fantastic book by the same author. This book is very thick, the reading level is higher than Peter and Jane level 12, but the story can be easily understood by kids as young as 5 years old. The book is highly imaginative and original. Quote from an Amazon review : \"It is one of those rare children's classics that can be read by anyone, of any age. Once you've read it, you can no longer imagine the Universe without it. \"

Thanks, Tamarind. I'll borrow it from the library first and decide if I want to buy. I've bought too many books, not as many as your home library but enough to make me worried about storage space.

[tamarind]

autumnbronze,

Thank you for sharing ! Those look like excellent resources. How much does a set cost and where did you buy it ?

pummanuel,
Thanks for sharing about the free shipping by Amex. Is it DBS Amex ?

[sunset_dae]

Hi Tamarind


A word can have a few meanings, example: jig can means a scottish folk dance, or even machine or jig-saw puzzle… which one should we use to explain to a child? I explain to him its a form of dance and yet when he comes across books on machines explaining on rigs, he will tell me: Mummy, rig is dance not machines…"

[tamarind]

sunset_dae:

Hi Tamarind


A word can have a few meanings, example: jig can means a scottish folk dance, or even machine or jig-saw puzzle.. which one should we use to explain to a child? I explain to him its a form of dance and yet when he comes across books on machines explaining on rigs, he will tell me: Mummy, rig is dance not machines...\"

Personally I think that we should explain one meaning will do, the child will learn more about the word when he grows older.

[Wesim]

Dear tamarind,


I truly admire you for your perseverance and determination. I am still not very good at teaching phonics. So, will be passing the baton to the expert.

If you do know of an experienced Phonics teacher and willing to teach a 3+ years old girl and can travel to Sembawang area, do let me know.

Thanks!!

[autumnbronze]

tamarind:

autumnbronze,

Thank you for sharing ! Those look like excellent resources. How much does a set cost and where did you buy it ?

Hi Tamarind,

You are welcome

I bought this set from Sept 21. Suffice to say, it burnt a huge hole in my pocket :oops: :oops:, way much more expensive than the Leapfrog DVD.

But then again, I have a kind of 'no holds barred' personal policy when it comes to purchasing books, especially if I consider them as a long term investment

I was introduced to them when I attended a short phonics course conducted by Lorna Whiston 2 years ago. There is a cheaper version of it that costs about $28 I think, which consists of one book and the CD, but its not from Oxford. I have provided a random link for you to take a look.

http://r2learntoys.com/31-Ants-on-the-Apple-Song-book-and-CD.html