Explode the Code
HotUser reviews
42 reviews
Overall rating
4.5
Personal opinion
4.4
Coverage of subject
4.4
Ease of use
4.8
My kids actually enjoy doing the workbooks. They are not complicated (most pages can be done independently, or with little oversight), the teacher's manual is very user-friendly, and my kids are learning.
Grade levels used
- preK
- K
Pros
Very user-friendly. Economical.
Cons
There needs to be more direct phonics instruction/rules of the language.
Do you recommend?
Yes
J
JenniferT
We used it as a supplement to the reading program we were using because of the large amounts of worksheets for each lesson. It could work as curriculum by itself but you must have the teachers book.
Grade levels used
1
Pros
Good illustrations that my daughter enjoyed. Fairly easy to use.
Cons
Must have teachers book for full use of curriculum.
Do you recommend?
As a supplement.
AL
Amy Lopez
I love these series! They are easy to follow & my kids love completing the pages without becoming frustrated.
Grade levels used
- 1
- 2
- 3
Do you recommend?
Yes
N
Nery
These are fun workbooks that are easy to add to your LA program. Works well for children who have trouble learning phonics.
Grade levels used
- K
- 1
- 2
Pros
good value
Cons
none
Do you recommend?
yes
D
Deborah
We will be using these again for both our boys.
Grade levels used
1
Do you recommend?
Yes
B
Beth
Very simple addition to a reading program. Used this when all the kids were going through the process of learning how to read. I used this as a remedial program on top of a phonics program. :D It is a consumable book so you would have to buy for each student. I recommend this for all readers. :D
Grade levels used
- K
- 1
- 2
Pros
Very good remedial program
Cons
Not colorful and very bland. Pics are hard to see sometimes.
Do you recommend?
Yes
HT
Holly Truitt
My daughter loved these books. I liked that she could work mostly independently. We also purchased the online ETC curriculum and she liked that as well. The little games were fun and she enjoyed playing on the computer and calling it school. :-)
Grade levels used
- K
- 1
- 2
- 3
Pros
easy to follow, short lessons
Cons
artwork could be improved
Do you recommend?
yes
HM
Heidi Marineau
This helped reading click with my struggling learner
Grade levels used
- preK
- K
- 1
Do you recommend?
Yes
L
Lindsay
Explode the Code is an affordable and easy to use phonics program. The teacher manuals were also so helpful and offered additional activities for me to enjoy with my child.
Grade levels used
- preK
- K
- 1
Pros
Easy to Use, Inexpensive
Cons
Workbooks are not Licensed for Copying
Do you recommend?
Yes!
AM
Alisha M.
My daughter's reading and spelling skills are really strong thanks to Explode the Code! We both love the simplicity of the program. She loves the silly sentences and illustrations and I love how much she is learning!
Grade levels used
- preK
- K
- 1
Pros
Easy to use, effective
Cons
More writing than my student is ready for
Do you recommend?
yes
SN
SarahBeth Newton
I adore this curriculum. I have seen it do wonders with my son's ability to sound out words on his own in both reading and writing.
Grade levels used
K
Pros
easy to use, engaging
Cons
none
Do you recommend?
yes
LK
lorie keene
My now 14 yr old daughter is tutoring a 4 yr old using this curriculum and she says it brings back fond memories.
Grade levels used
- preK
- K
- 1
Pros
Super easy on the teacher
Cons
Must be able to print letters otherwise you will have to adapt
Do you recommend?
Highly!
AB
Amy B
We ended up using ours for independent work.
Grade levels used
K
Cons
Some pictures are hard to identify
Do you recommend?
Maybe as a supplement
D
Debbie
Was pleasantly surprised the workbooks were as large as they are, I don't know why but I really expected small books. We absolutely love the workbooks. My son really enjoys doing them, he doesn't complain at all. Can't beat the price.
Grade levels used
- K
- 2
Pros
affordable, easy, and fun
Cons
none
Do you recommend?
Yes
TM
Terri Meier
We have tried three different reading curriculum and this is the only thing that has worked for my daughter so far! It's easy to use and not much money. My sister's children go to a school for kids with dyslexia that is more than most colleges and we could not afford to send our daughter there and the lady who works there pulled me to the side and said if you homeschool check into Explode the Code. She told me it was one of the many curriculum they use and it should get my daughter on the right start and it has!
Grade levels used
K
Pros
She is learning!
Cons
none
Do you recommend?
YES!
M
Melissa
This is a great phonics approach to reading. The pictures aren't always a great match for the word, but it didn't frustrate my son.
Grade levels used
- K
- 1
Do you recommend?
Yes
BC
Brandi Currier
These books helped my son gain confidence in reading by cementing in the phonics sounds he needed help on learning. We did another curriculum to learn how to read but some how he missed some basics and these books were great to help him get back on track and learn what he was missing.
Grade levels used
- K
- 1
- 2
- 3
Pros
Great for phonics
Do you recommend?
I recommend this for all struggling readers.
J
Jodi
very simple and effective. My kids appreciated the predictable format of lessons. They are presented in a clean, uncluttered way. Drawings are simple and not distracting. Good foundation for spelling ,as well
Grade levels used
- preK
- K
- 1
- 2
Pros
easy to use
Do you recommend?
yes
A
amanda
This helped my son make the jump between a bunch of unconnected letters that make individual sounds to blending those sounds into words. The repetitive nature of the lessons, where each lesson has the same exercises each time but with a new concept, makes it easy to introduce the new concept, walk him through the first couple and then turn him loose. It also means my routine loving child always knows what the expectations are and can concentrate on learning phonics instead of the rules/instructions for the activity. Some of the pictures used do need an adult to interpret, but that's a minor thing.
Grade levels used
- K
- 1
- 2
Pros
predictable exercises make it easy to learn the concepts, price
Cons
some of the pictures need a translator to figure out
Do you recommend?
yes
NR
Nicole R
Overall rating
5.0
Personal opinion
5.0
Coverage of subject
5.0
Ease of use
5.0
We learned about this program through her OT, they introduced her to Mat Man and we thought we would give the workbooks a try. I did not purchase the teacher's manual or any extras, and don't feel I am missing anything by not having it. We do have a small chalkboard and use that along with the workbook. You can also create spelling worksheets for free on their site using the font in the workbooks which I will be using in the future.
Grade levels used
K
Pros
Easy to use without instruction, add ons available.
Do you recommend?
Yes
AO
AnaMaree Ordway