Parents, homeschoolers, and teachers can now instruct 5- to 8-year-olds to read using the BASIC READING SERIES, a proven phonics program used by millions of children. Whether for individual or group instruction, BRS allows children to progress at their own pace until they are confident, independent readers

The BASIC READING SERIES has a dedicated and faithful following among teachers and parents who want an alternative to discredited reading programs. The sixth edition of BRS keeps the program up to date without altering its time-tested rationale and sequence of word patterns. BRS retains its light and humorous touch and emphasis on honesty, courage, kindness, loyalty, and cooperation. And the series is now available in a low-cost, paperback edition!

The BASIC READING SERIES consists of seven readers and six workbooks with instructions for parents and teachers. BRS can be purchased from leading homeschool suppliers and educational distributors.

Why is the Basic Reading Series So Successful?

Whole-Word Phonics Simplifies Learning

Where the BASIC READING SERIES differs from traditional phonics practice is in the methods by which it reaches the same goal. Traditional phonics practice will typically ask children to “sound out” single letters first (“b says buh”) and then “blend” individual letter sounds into whole words (“buh-ih-tuh says bit”).

The authors found it more effective and realistic to start children off with whole words (meaningful combinations of letters) and let them discover how individual letter-changes affect word pronunciation. In this way, children always see letters in their true perspective as parts of a whole, interacting with the other parts. They learn how the letter b functions in a particular situation instead of “what the letter b says.”

Moreover, an unnecessary intermediate step is avoided. Why have children translate the letters b-i-t into a false language first (buh-ih-tuh) and then retranslate that into the word bit? Experience shows that most children can go directly from the letters b-i-t to the word bit without the extra step.

Inductive Method Enhances Discovery

The BASIC READING SERIES introduces the child first to words like man, ran, and pan, using them in sentences, drills, and exercises that provide many opportunities for observation and discovery. The child sees that the -an sound and spelling are constant in these words while the introductory consonant varies. Next, a series of -at words like mat, rat, and hat is introduced. The child begins to see that certain initial consonants have the same effect here as they had in the -an words. Now an early inductive conclusion becomes possible: confronted with the letters p-a-t, the child discovers that it starts like pan and ends like mat. Therefore, it must be pat. The child has figured out a word independently!

Thus, starting with the simplest and progressing to more complex patterns, the program gradually accumulates more and more word patterns from which children can draw reliable generalizations of their own about the connections between spellings and sounds. It gives the children plentiful opportunities to develop confidence and automatic responses to each pattern and to apply their generalizations to new words.

Controlled Vocabulary Builds Confidence

The reading vocabulary of the BASIC READING SERIES is closely controlled according to spelling patterns. These patterns are revealed to the learner one by one so that the language that confronts the student at each stage is regular, consistent, and predictable. Fortunately, English spelling does contain a core of consistent patterns for representing most sounds, despite the apparent inconsistencies. Linguistic science has helped to classify these, and classroom trial and error enabled the authors to sequence them for maximally efficient learning. The controlled release of vocabulary, organized by spelling patterns, ensures that children will encounter the unusual and nonconforming patterns only when they are ready for them — after they feel secure with the regular and reliable features of the language, and after they have read a large body of complete stories, thus building a background of confidence and solid achievement.

Why Do Parents and Homeschoolers Love
the Basic Reading Series?

“Absolutely LOVE this reading series. The vocabulary is controlled so our children gain a feeling of mastery reading these stories. The stories are funny, which our 6-year-old loves, but not so silly that our more serious minded 8-year-old can’t enjoy them too.”
—Melanie Johnson, Amazon.com, August 7, 2011

“This teaching method is the most basic and effective way to build a solid reading foundation by building simple phonics concepts. This is not a sight word program. There is a short word list with every story. The stories are only written with what is on the list. Example: Dan, fan, man, ran, can. Your child will be filled with confidence after the first story. The entire series should bring your child well over a third-grade level. My child is already reading and sounding out words after the first book. I am extremely pleased.”
—Goody-2-Shoes, Amazon.com, July 19, 2013

“These books should be a requirement for children pre-K and up. My 4-year-old son learned to read by the age of 5 using these books. These books are a hidden gem. I am a mom that uses these books to supplement my child’s education in school when it comes to reading and not just memorizing words.”
—Cherline XO, Amazon.com, October 14, 2014

“I remember these books vividly. I was taught reading with these books back when I was in first grade in 1976-77. We went through all the titles and levels. The great thing is the way the books build on skills and are progressive. Based on level, our class was divided into small reading groups and each group was assigned one of the books based on where they were in reading comprehension. A Pig Can Jig, A Hen in a Fox’s Den, Six Ducks in a Pond, A King on a Swing, etc. Here I am 40 years later, and I vividly remember these books and highly recommend them.”
—August A. Galifi, Amazon.com, May 30, 2017

Why Do Teachers Praise the Basic Reading Series?

“The ‘basal’ series I have found most successful and wonderful for readers through the third grade — and a lot of work, but worth it — is the BASIC READING SERIES, written by Donald Rasmussen and Lynn Goldberg. In all my 30 years of teaching, the only two classes of students that made it to my eighth grade reading on grade level (or very close) were the classes (pretty much kept intact) that experienced this series in grades one through three. Rasmussen and Goldberg had great perception in knowing how to teach children how to read, and great creativity in developing this program. The essential philosophy/approach of this series has been around for over 50 years. There is definitely a reason: it’s excellent and teaches reading enjoyably.”
—James Charnock, Amazon.com, July 4, 2015

“I have been doing daycare for over 20 yrs. I have taught close to 100 kids to read with this series. And I mean REALLY read. Most enter as the top reader in their kindergarten classes. Years later they are still exceptional readers. My daughter was tested at 8th grade level reading in the 1st grade, and she was not an unusual case. I believe that the systematic use of this phonics book is essential to growing a good reader. The bonus is all the children enjoy this series. I have never heard one complaint when we begin our work. The lessons are simple, short, and last a lifetime!”
—Lisa Stewart, Goodreads.com, January 19, 2013

“In the 1970’s and 80’s I used this series with children identified with ‘dyslexia’ or ‘specific learning disorders’ to use the terminology of that era. (A terminology I prefer, by the way, because ‘special needs’ is too vague.) It was especially helpful with kids who were discouraged by previous failures in reading. The stories were fun, and the logical progression of phonetic patterns gave the pupils a stable, firm foundation for reading and spelling. It was the best of many programs I had tried.”
—M.C. Sears, Amazon.com, June 19, 2022

The Basic Reading Series Story

Dr. Donald Rasmussen and Lynn Goldberg developed the BASIC READING SERIES in the early 1960s at the Miquon School, a small parent-teacher cooperative near Philadelphia. At that time, most children were taught to read using the “sight” or “look-say” method epitomized by the “Dick and Jane” readers, and many were left behind. Don and Lynn knew there must be a better way, so they spent five years developing their own reading program based on the work of the renowned linguist Leonard Bloomfield. They called their method “inductive whole-word phonics, with a strong linguistics research base”.

After tryouts in inner-city and suburban schools around the country and almost a dozen revisions, the BASIC READING SERIES was published by Science Research Associates (SRA) and enjoyed great success. Over the years, other reading methods have come and then gone out of favor. Now, decades later, phonics is recognized as the scientific approach to reading instruction, and the BASIC READING SERIES is once again available.

The BASIC READING SERIES is available from leading homeschool suppliers, educational bookstores, and Amazon

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