Reading Curriculum

We've said it elsewhere, but it bears repeating: the foundation of a good education is the ability to read well. This isn't just reading for content, though that's certainly part of it; reading well entails the ability to read for information, analyze that information, and connect it with other knowledge and texts to form original ideas. This doesn't just come, it requires lots of practice and plenty of guidance, but the rewards are tangible.

Young students aren't ready for the more advanced levels of reading right off. They need to have time to master the basics, like identifying the plot in a story, understanding characters' emotions, remembering details, and even simply retaining facts. The only way to help them toward this goal is to have them read, and then quiz and test them on what they read.

The Charlotte Mason approach to education is really built on this principle. At first, students simply copy texts word-for-word, then they take dictation, then they learn to compose their own essays, at each stage proving they've retained the original material by answering questions about it. While there aren't a lot of "Charlotte Mason reading programs" out there, many of the ones we carry follow generally this same process, though without the copywork and dictation.

Here is a quick summary of the Reading curricula we offer, in alphabetical order:

A Beka Reading Grades K-6

A Beka Reading includes readers and teacher guides/answer keys. Timed Read & Think worksheets are also available: students read a short text and answer comprehension questions against a stopwatch. Like the CLP series, these are very focused on Christian virtue and morality.

BJU Reading Grades K-8

BJU Reading uses textbooks rather than readers, along with workbooks, flipcharts, etc. The teacher's guides act as answer keys, with plenty of information for presenting concepts and relating stories to real life. These books are a bridge from the phonics curriculum to BJU Literature.

CLE Reading to Learn Series Grades K-8

Most reading courses are straightforward, with a basic "read, reflect, respond" pattern. The CLE Reading to Learn Series is an exception. Less thorough but just as good as comparable programs, the CLE readers are fairly lengthy and include full-color illustrations, with character-building stories.

CLP Readers Grades K-8

The CLP Readers aren't a unified reading course. Rather, they're a number of independent readers, all designed to encourage reading practice and comprehension while promoting Christian virtue. The Nature Readers are a customer favorite, though all of them have strengths and weaknesses.

McGuffey's Readers Grades K-12

You can't really go wrong with McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks. The readers are standards of character-building, instructive material. Sections are short and illustrated, and the workbooks (a newer addition) include two-page lessons with comprehension questions.

Pathway Readers Grades K-8

The ever-popular Pathway Readers series offers solidly Christian virtue-centered readers with slim workbooks to teach comprehension. Pathway Readers are easy to get through, but somewhat bland with sparse black and white illustration and repetitive exercises.

Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading Grades K-9

Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading is similar to the Pathway Readers, but more thorough. Each level consists of a number of readers and workbooks, along with a teacher's guide. Stories are character- and Bible-based, illustrations are black and white, and the course is largely student-directed.

A lot of folks simply have their kids read books and then discuss what they've read afterwards. This is a fine approach, one which we actually encourage in later grades, but these reading programs are designed for younger students and probably better suited to elementary kids, in a lot of instances at least. Some kids don't need the structure; others do.

Remember that the point isn't for them to get a good grade or even pass a standardized test. The goal of reading instruction is to form young people who can think and connect knowledge received from disparate sources. These programs are just one step in that process, albeit a very important one that cannot be skipped. Peruse our reviews to find the one that best fits your needs and those of your students.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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Across the Meadow - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 2C
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
Adventures in Greatness (old)
from A Beka Books
for 6th grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (2 in stock)
Adventures in Other Lands
A Beka Reading 4
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 4th grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (2 in stock)
Aesop's Fables for Young Readers
A Beka Reading 1F
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (4 in stock)
Aesop's Fables for Young Readers - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 1f
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
All Kinds of Animals
A Beka Reading 2I
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (7 in stock)
All Kinds of Animals - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 2i
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
Among the Animals
A Beka Reading 3D
from A Beka Books
for 3rd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (2 in stock)
Animal Friends - 8-book Set
from A Beka Books
for Preschool
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$8.50 (2 in stock)
Animals in the Great Outdoors
A Beka Reading 1i
2nd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (3 in stock)
Animals in the Great Outdoors - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 1i
2nd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (2 in stock)
Beautiful Stories for Children
by Michael McHugh
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 2nd grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$14.50 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Before We Read & First Steps - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50 $3.00 (3 in stock)
Billy Sunday
by Elaine Cunningham
from A Beka Books
for 6th grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Boys and Girls of Colonial Days
by Carolyn Bailey
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 4th grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$9.50 $6.50 (1 in stock)
Bridges Beyond
CLE Reading
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 4th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Building a New Nation - Reader
from Christian Liberty Press
for 5th grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$17.85 $9.50 (1 in stock)
Building a New Nation - Student Exercises
from Christian Liberty Press
for 5th grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$5.30 $2.75 (1 in stock)
Building Our Lives - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 4th grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50 $3.50 (2 in stock)
Building Our Lives - Workbook
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 4th grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50 $2.00 (1 in stock)
Busy Times
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$9.50 $5.50 (1 in stock)
Busy Times and More Busy Times - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50 $3.50 (2 in stock)
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 2 (old)
by Julia Wright
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 2nd grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Learning to Read - Teacher's Guide 101-105
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Learning to Read - Teacher's Guide 106-110
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 301-310 Answer Key
Sunrise 2 Edition from Christian Light Education
for 3rd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 501-505 Answer Key
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 5th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$5.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 501-505 Quizzes and Tests Answer Key
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 5th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 7 Answer Key
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 7th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 7 Quiz and Test Answer Key
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 7th grade
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$3.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 801-805 Answer Key
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 8th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading 4 - Answer Key
CLE Reading to Learn
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 4th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading 4 - Quizzes and Tests Answer Key
CLE Reading to Learn
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 4th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading 4 Bridges Beyond - Teacher's Guide (with Answers)
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 4th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 2, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 2, Book 2
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 4, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 4th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 4, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 4th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Climbing Higher - Teacher Edition (old)
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$3.50 $2.00 (2 in stock)
Climbing Higher - Workbook (old)
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$2.50 $1.50 (1 in stock)
Critical Conditioning
by Kathryn Stout
from Design-A-Study
for All grades
in Design-A-Study (Location: HSR-DAS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Doors to Discovery
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 3rd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$8.50 (2 in stock)
Doors to Discovery - Teacher's Guide (with answers)
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 3rd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
Down by the Sea
A Beka Reading 1h
2nd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$11.50 (14 in stock)
Down by the Sea - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 1h
2nd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (2 in stock)
Eclectic Fourth Reader
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Eclectic Second Reader
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
Facsimile editions. from Mott Media
for 2nd-4th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Eclectic Third Reader
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for 3rd-5th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$8.00 (2 in stock)
Fables and Folk Tales - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 4f
from A Beka Books
for 4th grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Finding a New Land - Answer Key
from Christian Liberty Press
for 4th grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$5.30 $2.50 (2 in stock)
Finding a New Land - Test Packet
from Christian Liberty Press
for 4th grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$5.30 $2.50 (1 in stock)
Friends and Helpers Readers
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
From Shore to Shore
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 3rd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (2 in stock)
Fun with Friends
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (4 in stock)
Gifts and Gadgets - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 4g
from A Beka Books
for 4th grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
God's Miracle –a Raindrop
by Rebecca Newswanger, illustrated by Harold Weaver
from Christian Light Education
for 1st-3rd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
God's Miracle –a Seed
by Rebecca Newswanger, illustrated by Harold Weaver
from Christian Light Education
for 1st-3rd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Growing Up Around the World - Teacher Edition
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
Growing Up in Early America
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (7 in stock)
Growing Up in Early America - Teacher Edition
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
Growing Up Where Jesus Lived
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (7 in stock)
Handbook for Reading
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 1st-3rd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$13.00 (3 in stock)
Happy Hearts
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Happy Hearts - Teacher's Guide with Answers
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition
Harvey's Language Course
by Thos. W. Harvey
from Mott Media
for 4th-8th- grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$15.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition - Answer Key
Harvey's Language Course
by Thos. W. Harvey
from Mott Media
for 4th-8th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$4.00 (2 in stock)
Harvey's Revised English Grammar
Harvey's Language Course
by Thos. W. Harvey
from Mott Media
for 4th-8th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$17.50 $10.00 (2 in stock)
Harvey's Revised English Grammar - Answer Key
Harvey's Language Course
by Thos. W. Harvey
from Mott Media
for 4th-8th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$4.50 $3.00 (1 in stock)
Helping Hands
CLE Reading
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
Helping Hands - Teacher's Guide with Answers
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
Heroes and Helpers
from A Beka Books
for 3rd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (5 in stock)
History Stories for Children
by Dr. John Wayland
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
Historical non-fiction for 3rd grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$17.85 $9.50 (2 in stock)
History Stories for Children (old)
by Dr. John Wayland
from Christian Liberty Press
Historical non-fiction for 3rd grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
History Stories for Children - Student Exercises
by Dr. John Wayland
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
Historical non-fiction for 3rd grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$5.30 $3.00 (3 in stock)
History Stories for Children - Teacher Manual
by Dr. John Wayland
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
Historical non-fiction for 3rd grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$5.30 $2.75 (1 in stock)
How to Report on Books Grades 3-4
from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for 3rd-4th grade
in Evan-Moor Literature & Poetry (Location: ZCLE-EM)
$9.00 (2 in stock)
I Wonder (old illustrations)
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
In His Hands - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 4c
from A Beka Books
for 4th grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Iron Scouts of the Confederacy
by Lee McGiffin
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Kind and Brave
A Beka Reading 1e
5th edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$11.50 (14 in stock)
Kind and Brave - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 1e
5th edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.50 (1 in stock)
Let's Read 3
by Leonard Bloomfield, Clarence L. Barnhart, Robert K. Barnhart, et al.
from Educators Publishing Service
for 1st grade
in Miscellaneous Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MISC)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Living Together - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 5th grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50 $3.50 (4 in stock)
Living Together - Workbook
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 5th grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50 $2.00 (1 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Book A
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Teachers College Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Clearance: English & Language Arts (Location: ZCLE-LAN)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Book B
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Riggs Institute
for 1st-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Book C
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Riggs Institute
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Book D
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Riggs Institute
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Book E
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Riggs Institute
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Books A-E - Teacher's Guide & Answer Key
by William A. McCall & Lelah Mae Crabbs
from Back Home Industries
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Comprehension Connection Book 2
from Spalding Education International
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Standard Test Lessons in Reading
by William A. McCall & Lelah Mae Crabbs
from Back Home Industries
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$28.00 (1 in stock)
McGuffey's Eclectic Progressive Spelling Book
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$6.50 (1 in stock)
McGuffey's Fifth Eclectic Reader
by William Holmes McGuffey
Revised from American Book Co.
for 5th-6th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
McGuffey's New Second Eclectic Reader
by William McGuffey, with new content by Janice Campbell
from Everyday Education
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$5.50 (1 in stock)
McGuffey's Second Eclectic Reader
by William Holmes McGuffey
Revised from American Book Co.
for 2nd-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader
by William Holmes McGuffey
Revised from American Book Co.
for 6th-7th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Mcguffey's Third Eclectic Reader
by William Holmes McGuffey
Revised from American Book Co.
for 3rd-4th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Megawords 2 - Teacher's Guide and Answer Key
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 5th-6th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$25.69 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Megawords 7
by Kristin Johnson & Polly Bayrd
2nd edition from Educators Publishing Service
for 4th-10th grade
in Megawords (Location: SPE-MEGA)
$18.49 $9.00 (1 in stock)
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