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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163 Items found Print
Active Filters: 1st grade (Ages 6-7)
ABC Book of Bible People
Bible Stories for Young Readers series #3
by Martha Fisher, illustrated by Peter Balholm
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
ABC Book of God's Creatures
Little Jewel Books
by Mary M. Landis, illustrated by Lester Miller
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Nursery-1st grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.00 (1 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 (5 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)
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)
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 (4 in stock)
Beyond the Code Book 1
by Nancy Hall
from Educators Publishing Service
for 1st-3rd grade
in Explode the Code (Location: PHO-ETC)
$13.49
Beyond the Code Book 2
by Nancy Hall
from Educators Publishing Service
for 1st-3rd grade
in Explode the Code (Location: PHO-ETC)
$13.49 $9.50 (1 in stock)
Bible Numbers
Bible Stories for Young Readers series #1
by Martha Fisher, illustrated by Peter Balholm
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Bible Sermons
Bible Stories for Young Readers series
by Martha Fisher, illustrated by Peter Balholm
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1
by Florence Bass & Julie McNair Wright
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 1st grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$13.35
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1 (old)
by Florence Bass
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 1st grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1 - Answer Key
by Edward Shewan
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 1st grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$4.20
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book K
by Florence Lindstrom
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$8.90
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book K (old)
by Florence Lindstrom
from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Christian Liberty Nature Reader set
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten-5th grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$62.28
Christian Light Learning to Read - 101-105 Practice Sheets
CLE Learning to Read
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.75 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Learning to Read - 106-110 Practice Sheets
CLE Learning to Read
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.75 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Learning to Read - Letter Flash Cards
from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$9.00 (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)
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)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 101
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
2nd edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 102
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
2nd edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 103
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
2nd edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 104
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)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 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)
Christian Light Reading 1 - Set
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 1, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 1, Book 2
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 1, Book 3
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 1, Book 4
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 1, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 1, Book 2
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 1, Book 3
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 1, Book 4
from Mott Media
for 1st grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
CLE Primer Series Book 1
by Luanne D. Yeager, Ruth Hobbs, Dorothy Nisly
from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
CLE Primer Series book 2
by Luanne D. Yeager, Ruth Hobbs, Dorothy Nisly
from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
CLE Primer Series Book 3
by Luanne D. Yeager, Ruth Hobbs, Dorothy Nisly
from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
CLE Primer Series Book 4
by Luanne D. Yeager, Ruth Hobbs, Dorothy Nisly
from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Comprehension Connection
2nd edition from Spalding Education International
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Daily Reading Comprehension, Grade 1
1st edition from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for 1st grade
in Evan-Moor Reading Comprehension (Location: ZCLE-EM)
Days Go By
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$8.00
Days Go By - Workbook
by Pathway
2nd edition from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50
Days Go By and More Days Go By - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
2012 Reprint from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50 $3.50 (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 (10 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)
Early Reading Comprehension in Varied Subject Matter Book A
by Jane Ervin
from Educators Publishing Service
for 1st-2nd grade
$16.99
Eclectic Fourth Reader
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
$7.00 (2 in stock)
First Start Reading - Book E
by Michelle Tefertiller
1st edition from Memoria Press
in Memoria Press First Start Reading (Location: PHO-MP)
$8.15
First Steps
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$8.00
First Steps - Workbook
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50
Fun with Pets
A Beka Reading 1a
2nd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
Fun with Pets - Teacher Edition
A Beka Reading 1a
2nd edition from A Beka Books
for 1st grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
God Gives Us Work
by Sharon See, illustrated by Donna Kauffman
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
God Makes Seeds That Grow (God is Good #3)
God is Good series
by Mrs. James Swartzentruber, illustrated by Lester Miller
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for 1st grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.25 (1 in stock)
God's Gifts
by Mary M. Landis, illustrated by Edith Burkholder
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Preschool-1st grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.50 (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)
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)
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)
Handbook for Reading - Teacher Edition
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 1st-3rd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
High-Frequency Words: Stories and Activities, Level B
from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in Evan-Moor Reading Comprehension (Location: ZCLE-EM)
Home Start in Reading
by Ruth Beechick
from Arrow Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Clearance: Home School Resources (Location: ZCLE-HSR)
How to Report on Books Grades 1-2
from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for 1st-2nd grade
in Evan-Moor Literature & Poetry (Location: ZCLE-EM)
I Wonder
CLE Reading
by Ruth K. Hobbs
Sunrise 2nd Edition from Christian Light Education
for 1st grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$8.50 (2 in stock)
I Wonder - Teacher's Guide (with answers)
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)
$12.50 (2 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)
$10.00 (4 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)
Kindergarten Phonics Readers - Set
by Florence Lindstrom, illustrated by Vic Lockman
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in CLP Adventures in Phonics (Location: PHO-CLP)
$26.80
Let's Read 1
from Educators Publishing Service
for 1st grade
in EPS Reasoning & Reading (Location: REACOM-EPS)
Let's Read 2
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)
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)
McCall-Crabbs Book A
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Riggs Institute
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McCall-Crabbs Book A
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Teachers College Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McCall-Crabbs Book B
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Riggs Institute
for 1st-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McCall-Crabbs Book B
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Teachers College Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$5.00 (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 (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)
McCall-Crabbs Book D
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Teachers College Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$5.00 (1 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 (4 in stock)
McCall-Crabbs Book E
by William McCall & Lelah Crabbs
from Teachers College Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
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 Book F
by McCall Crabbs
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
$5.00 (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)
McCall-Crabbs Comprehension Connection Book 1
from Spalding Education International
for 1st-3rd grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McCall-Crabbs Comprehension Connection Book 2
from Spalding Education International
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McCall-Crabbs Comprehension Connection Book 2
from Spalding Education International
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McCall-Crabbs Standard Test Lessons - Set
by William A. McCall & Lelah Mae Crabbs
from Back Home Industries
for 1st-9th grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
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)
McCall-Harby Test Lessons in Primary Reading
by William A. McCall,
for Kindergarten-1st grade
in McCall-Crabbs Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MC)
McGuffey Readers - Boxed Set
by William McGuffey & Ruth Beechick
from Mott Media
for Kindergarten-10th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
McGuffey's Eclectic Primer
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
McGuffey's Eclectic Progressive Spelling Book
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
$6.50 (2 in stock)
McGuffey's: Pictorial Eclectic Primer
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
from Mott Media
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Meeting New Friends
by Florence Lindstrom
2nd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 1st grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$17.15
More Days Go By
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$8.00
More Days Go By - Workbook
by Pathway
2nd edition from Pathway Publishers
for 1st grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50 $1.50 (5 in stock)
Morning on the Farm
Little Jewel Books
by Ruth Ann Rudolph
from Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Rod & Staff Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-R&S)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
My Book of Reading Skills: Easy Sight Words
from Kumon Publishing
for Preschool-1st grade
$6.50 (1 in stock)
My Book of Reading Skills: Sight Words
from Kumon Publishing
for Preschool-1st grade
$6.50 (1 in stock)
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