Explode the Code Review

Explode the Code Reviewed by Harriet Yoder

When I started homeschooling, I used various complete phonics-based reading programs. I had the advantage of learning to read with phonics, but I also learned a lot more about phonics through teaching reading. In the end, with nine children in our homeschool, I needed a program that wasn’t as time-consuming but did the job.

Explode the Code reading workbooks work beautifully for us! Reluctant readers like this series!

If your younger child needs to learn the consonant sounds, then Get Ready Get Set Go for the Code is what you need.

When your child knows the consonant sounds and is ready to move to the short and long vowel sounds and all the blends, you’ll need Explode the Code.

Our listing for the different Explode the Code Workbooks shows the sounds each book teaches.

For reading comprehension practice, Beyond the Code features decodable stories that follow the phonetic sequence of the series.

If you need help with teaching phonics, I suggest using another phonics-based reading program such as Sing, Spell, Read, and Write.

As your child works each question, give immediate feedback about handwriting and spelling mistakes. For example, if you notice that your student writing a letter incorrectly,  suggest the correct way to make it properly.

Our Children Always Slowed Down in Books 5 and 6

Don’t be surprised if your student slows down when you get to books 5 and 6. We used this program with six of our children, and each one always seem to take longer to get through those two books. Maybe it is because the blends are harder to learn. Once they passed those two books, work on books 7 and 8 went a lot faster.

Explode the Code Workbooks 7 and 8 also include some reading comprehension passages.

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards

According to the publisher’s website, Explode the Code aligns to the Common Core State Standards.

Excellent workbooks in the Explode the Code series help teach reading with a phonics approach in your homeschool.

Reading Curriculum at Lamp Post Homeschool

Explode the Code® is a registered trademark of EPS School Specialty.