Click here to find free downloads from Lectura para niños just for MommyMaestra readers!
Lectura Para Niños has been one of the most accessible and most helpful companies that I have encountered so far. Created by Kindergarten teacher, Leah Meiser, the components of this program can be purchased separately, making it more affordable, as well as more practical for parents who are teaching their children to read.
In this video, Leah talks about using the program with the Washington area children....
Leah, also took the time to answer some questions I had about the program. Here are her responses...
Can you tell me if you've had any homeschool families use your program? Is your program designed for a parent to use?
I haven't had any homeschool families inquire, but yes, parents from my classroom do use the program at home. Parents [who homeschool] can easily use this program as home as well! If a parent is wanting to purchase, and they have questions, they may call me anytime. I explain how to play the games, and they reinforce what has been taught in the classroom. What I usually tell people who purchase the program is to buy the CD. If you buy the CD, you can copy and print as many materials as you want for your classroom (and or school if a site license was purchased). If a school has purchased the program, the school is more than welcome to print for the family within their boundaries and send it home with parents as a check out program from their school. I have a few copies in my classroom where I send the "theme of the month" with the family to practice.
Is this program a complete reading curriculum?
It's not a complete reading program, but more a phonics and phonemic awareness program to learn to read. This program teaches vocabulary development, but lacks the comprehension aspect of reading.
Is the program designed to teach more than one child?
When I use the program in my classroom, I use my document camera and play the phonic's center "games" as the children call them with the entire class, then break up into groups of 8 students. There are usually more than 10-20 words in each "set."
We practice in small groups segmenting and blending the words orally before the students get to practice individually. I pass out the words/envelopes to each child to make their own word. When all students have formed their word, I have all children focus on 1 child. They say the word in syllables underlining each, then pull down the letters into individual sounds, then again to form the entire word. Once one child has finished, we go around the circle so each child has had an opportunity.
All children in my group are to say the syllables, sounds, and words together with the child who has their turn. This keeps all kids focused and reinforces the segmenting and blending of each word. Once all kids have had their turn, they put their letters back in their envelopes and choose another word. The kids love this!
I have 24 students in groups of 8, 8, 8. All students have opportunities to segment and blend at their "developmentally appropriate level." I have students at all levels ranging from my new student who knows only 18 letters to my more advanced child who can read anything I put in front of him. This child was the only one who entered my room with any sort of letter knowledge. 99% did not. These kids have learned so much, and I do have to say, I know it's because of this program. I believe in this program and it works.
Can parents purchase the products individually and use the products to supplement their child's formal education?
Yes, parents can purchase the program and use it at home with their children. If they are purchasing for their home, I would recommend purchasing the bundle and not the CD because they wouldn't need as many copies as a classroom would.
Yes, you may purchase any item on an individual basis. The costs are on the website if you want to purchase particular items and not others. Depending on what the person wants, some things are cheaper purchasing in bundles.
FREE DOWNLOADS!
Lastly, Leah was kind enough to put together some sample pages for Kindergarten and First Grade that you can download for free. Take a look and see what you think! Click here to find free downloads just for MommyMaestra readers!
UPDATE: In addition, Lectura para niños has been a MommyMaestra sponsor for years and has offered MM readers many excellent downloads for free. To find them, just search for Lectura para niños in the search bar, or click here.
To learn about more Spanish reading programs and other resources, visit my Resources for Learning to Read in Spanish page.