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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155 Items found Print
Active Filters: 2nd grade (Ages 7-8)
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)
Across the Meadow
A Beka Reading 2C
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (4 in stock)
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)
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 (8 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)
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)
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)
Beyond the Code Book 3
by Nancy Hall
from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd-4th grade
in Explode the Code (Location: PHO-ETC)
$13.49
Beyond the Code Book 4
by Nancy Hall
from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd-4th grade
in Explode the Code (Location: PHO-ETC)
$13.49
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)
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 - Workbook
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50
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
by Julia McNair Wright
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 2nd grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$13.35
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 2 - Answer Key
3rd edition from Christian Liberty Press
for 2nd grade
in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP)
$4.20
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 Reading - LightUnit 201
CLE Reading to Learn
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 202
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 203
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 204
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 205
CLE Reading to Learn
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 206
CLE Reading to Learn
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 207
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 208
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 209
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Christian Light Reading - LightUnit 210
CLE Reading
Sunrise 2 from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$3.50 (1 in stock)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 2, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 2, Book 2
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 2, Book 3
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Reading Grade 2, Book 4
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 2, Book 1
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 2, Book 2
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 2, Book 3
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
Classic Curriculum Writing Grade 2, Book 4
from Mott Media
for 2nd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
CLE Reading 2-1 Set
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
CLE Reading 2-2 Set
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
Climbing Higher
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$9.50
Climbing Higher - Teacher Edition
by Pathway
Revised Edition from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$6.50
Climbing Higher - Teacher Edition (old)
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$3.50 $2.00 (1 in stock)
Climbing Higher - Workbook
by Pathway
Revised Edition from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50
Climbing Higher - Workbook (old)
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Old Edition Reading (Location: OREAD)
$2.50
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 2
from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Evan-Moor Reading Comprehension (Location: ZCLE-EM)
Early Reading Comprehension in Varied Subject Matter Book A
by Jane Ervin
from Educators Publishing Service
for 1st-2nd grade
$16.99
Early Reading Comprehension in Varied Subject Matter Book B
by Jane Ervin
from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd-3rd 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)
Eclectic Second Reader
Original McGuffey's
by William McGuffey
Facsimile editions. from Mott Media
for 2nd-4th grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
$8.00 (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
Fun with Friends
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (4 in stock)
Fun with Friends - Teacher Edition
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
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)
Growing Up Around the World
1st edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
$12.00 (4 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)
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)
Growing Up Where Jesus Lived - Teacher Edition
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Reading (Location: REA-ABK)
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)
Happy Hearts
CLE Reading to Learn
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$9.50 (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)
$11.00 (2 in stock)
Helping Hands
CLE Reading
by Ruth K. Hobbs
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$9.50 (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)
$11.00 (2 in stock)
High-Frequency Words: Stories and Activities, Level D
from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
for 2nd-3rd 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)
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
Kitten Named Birthday
by Janet Heatwole
from Christian Light Education
for 2nd-4th grade
in Christian Light Reading (Location: REA-CLE)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Let's Read 4
by Leonard Bloomfield, Clarence L. Barnhart, Robert K. Barnhart, et al.
Revised from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd grade
in Miscellaneous Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MISC)
Let's Read 5
by Leonard Bloomfield
Revised from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd grade
in Miscellaneous Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MISC)
Let's Read 6
by Leonard Bloomfield, Clarence L. Barnhart, Robert K. Barnhart, et al.
from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd-3rd grade
in Miscellaneous Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MISC)
Let's Read 7
by Leonard Bloomfield, Clarence L. Barnhart, Robert K. Barnhart, et al.
Revised from Educators Publishing Service
for 2nd-3rd grade
in Miscellaneous Reading Comprehension (Location: REACOM-MISC)
Life in Early America
by Jeanne S. Chall, selections
from Andrews McMeel
for 2nd-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Other Primers (Location: REA-MCG)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
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)
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)
More Busy Times
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$9.50
More Busy Times - Workbook
by Pathway
from Pathway Publishers
for 2nd grade
in Pathway Readers (Location: REA-PATH)
$3.50
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)
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