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Our books are not simply stories to be read to a child. The power of the EZ-PZ Reading Method™ is in the simple words featured in the books. Here's how it works.
Our books include 3 elements:
EZ-PZ Reading Stories: Short, whimsical stories that incorporate short words with rhyming endings (usually 6-10 pages long and including 6-12 featured words)
EZ-PZ Word List™: A list of the featured words immediately following each story for you to review with your child or student so they can practice the letter-sounds with repetition while seeing the slight variation between each word (e.g., BAT, CAT, HAT...). That's how they'll learn the connection between words and sound!
EZ-PZ Flash Pages™: "Flash Pages" at the end of the book which list all of the featured words from the book in alphabetical order, one word per page (e.g., BAD, BAT, BOP, BUN, CAT, etc., as opposed to BAT, CAT, HAT). This allows your reader to practice reading the words again, but in a different context with different endings intermixed, making sure they're actually learning the words.
If your child or student knows their letter-sounds, we think this is the best way for them to read their first words. This is why we stand behind our books with the Reading That Clicks™ Guarantee.
Want more deets?
Want more deets?
Here's what we recommend in order to maximize the
potential of our books (and your soon-to-be reader!):
1. Read the Story
Start by reading the story to your budding reader. As you get to each of the “featured” words in bold, pause and point to the word. This allows them a chance to take in and process the word. You can even allow them to try to read the word even though they might not be quiet ready. When you finally read the word, make sure to sound it out slowly emphasizing each of the sounds in the word
(e.g., /b/ /a/ /t/ for “BAT”). Sound out each of the featured words multiple times, pointing to each letter. Eventually, with more practice, as they become a proficient reader, they should begin to say the word with – or before – you!
2. Read the EZ‑PZ Word List™
Each story is followed by a list of the words featured in it. Have your reader attempt to read these words, one at a time – covering the rest of the list with your hand (or notecard). You can help them by pointing and sounding along. Since the words have similar endings, your reader will practice making the same letter-sounds multiple times. They may start by sounding out one letter or syllable at a time, until that magical day when they read an entire word on their own. Discourage them from guessing and taking other shortcuts. This aspect of the system is so important for pre-readers, you may want to read the list together before reading the story, not just afterward. That’s The Power of the List™!
3. Review the Flash Pages
Our books close with the EZ‑PZ Flash Pages™ – these pages list the featured words from all of the stories in the book in alphabetical order, one or two words per page. The repetition of seeing (and hearing) the words for a third time helps to reinforce the phonic skills they’ve built. Plus, words with different endings are mixed together this time (e.g., BAD, BAT, BOP, & BUN, as opposed to BAT, CAT, HAT), which provides a different context for the reader and helps to safeguard against guessing. Some readers will find this to be a fun “quiz,” testing their ability to read each word.
4. Repeat
Read our books as often as you and your reader need/desire, but after your reader has mastered the sounds/words featured in it, you can move onto the next volume to master more. The more you expose your budding reader to the words in our books, the more likely they’ll learn to blend them together and read them on their own! Also, after reading the story once or when your reader is accustomed to the EZ-PZ Reading Method™, try reviewing the word list before reading the story to maximize The Power of the List™.
Bonus Learning Activities: Flip through the pages of the book and have your reader count or read the page numbers as you go. Or, let them color the illustrations or add additional drawings to the stories!
Get creative with your approach, and tell us what works for you (we started a Facebook group to help parents and teachers who are trying to teach children to read).
Remember, be patient with your budding reader and stay positive as they work their way to becoming a reading rock star!
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