Learning to Read
There are many reading curriculum options. How do we select just one? We look to traditional programs that have a proven track record to start! Read our overview of Pathway Readers and how it fits with a Christ-centered education. At the bottom of the page you can find more information about each Pathway Readers level.
Pathway Readers
At Portals, we design around literature (Read), provide questions to ask about it (Think) and then give learners a project (Do) that gives the mind time to retain learning. All learning is cognitively amplified when we use not just our ears, but our experiences! Each individual student will learn at different paces and should be placed based on individual skill level as they begin the Portals program.
There are a vast number of reading programs with new ones popping up all the time. For our purposes we want a program that is comprehensive, easy-to-teach, doesn’t break the bank, and most importantly is morally sound. Pathway readers have been used successfully for decades and they check all the boxes. Originally developed by Amish parents, the books are full of character building stories, so they are learning to read, with content that you can use to talk about life too - exactly what Portals is looking for! Worksbooks include phonics instruction, vocabulary work, and reading comprehension. As your child's reading ability improves, they'll be encouraged to gain independence in reading.
To start, identify your student's placement level for beginning / early readers using the Pathway placement process for kindergarten through 2nd grade. These are the formative years for learning to read. Complete the placement process with your student(s) so you can customize your lesson plans to receive digital resources such as videos, interactives, and games that correspond with the correct reading level.
We believe the best way to learn a skill is to do it. After 2nd grade they are ready to take on readers of their own. Students from 3rd through 12th grade will complete the Portals English courses which use short stories, portions from classic literature, poems, and are designed to teach reading and writing skills through practical application. You can read more about each of these courses in the complete course descriptions available for download on the Scope and Sequence page of the website.