Explode the Code Review

by Karen M
(Florida)

We used the K level 3 books set - Book 8 of Explode the Code beginning in 1999.

Likes - Because the lessons are similar my children became very familiar with what they needed to do and could quickly become more independent in their work which made them feel successful.

It provides reinforcement of concepts with the use of sentences so they are getting the new words but review words they have already mastered. My boys have all enjoyed the section of the funny sentences which they have to answer YES or NO. They work great with what ever reader set you are using.

Dislike - They are only in black and white.

Other - Sometimes my children thought the sentences left room for interpretation. But we usually used this for discussion point. In a classroom setting this would have been a drawback because if it wasn't the answer the teacher expected it would just be wrong. But at home I was able to determine for myself if they really got it "wrong".

For example the sentence might be something like this. Will the sheep sleep on a jeep? The answer they are looking for would be no. But my son might have marked it yes. When I asked him why did you mark this yes I have him reread the sentence to me. Then I can clearly see that yes he did indeed know the words. Then I let him explain his answer. This gives me an idea if he did comprehend the sentence and just come to a different conclusion or if he truly didn't understand what he read.

During this process he might say oh man I marked the wrong one. Or he might say something like "Well if the sheep was at one of those drive through nature parks and the guide left the jeep parked where the sheep were then maybe the sheep would climb on the jeep to sleep." I would usually conclude with wow that was some great thinking I would never have thought about that. I really like your answer. But remember that most of the time you don't see sheep sleeping on jeeps so if you were doing testing you might want to mark no.

Great Supplement

by Brooke
(Frisco,Tx)

Levels Used: Book 6
Dates Used:8/07 -5/08

Likes: I thought this was a great supplement to our phonics and reading program. Each lesson was similar so my boys learned quickly how to complete the lesson with out my help with the instructions.

Dislikes: The pages were black and white.

Used with 5 Children

by Misti
(Burkesville, KY)

Levels Used: Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code, and ETC books 1-4

Dates Used: 1998-2008

Likes: I have used these books for 5 children now.
I start with the Get Ready, Get Set Go for the Code when they turn 4. It helps them learn early writing and letter sounds.

Once they start sounding out short words, we move through books 1-4. I don't use it as my only phonics program, but it's a great supplement to re-enforce what they are learning. I've never needed to use past book 4 because by then, they are fluent readers.

The exercises are fun and often funny. They never complain to do them.

Dislikes: I can't think of any. I've used them for 5 children so I'm thrilled with them.

Books 1-3

by G. Marie
(Ohio)

I used Explode the Code books 1-3 with my 1st and 2nd grader. I thought they did a very good job of teaching phonics. She needed additional help in some areas, so I also used the 1/2 books for additional review.

Self-Explanatory

by Lisa Streeff
(Collierville, TN USA)

Levels Used: Level C,1,2,3
Dates Used: 2006-2008

Likes: I really like the way Explode the Code teaches the phonics. It will have a single lesson on the same sounds and does enough of a review that my son always understands it. It is self explanatory now and I really have very little that I have to teach him with it. It has a variety of ways for the child to do the sounds in each lesson which are repeated in every lesson.