Phonics and More  

Generally three and after is good. Remember to start off slowly, 15 to 20 minutes a day. I think that too many people get excited and try to do too much and the child burns out early.

The "Classic" program has 7 editions:

• 1st - 1984
• 2nd - 1986
• 3rd - 1988 - 5 workbooks (621 total pages)
• 4th - 1991 - 5 workbooks (621 total pages)
• 5th - 1992 - 5 workbooks (621 total pages)
• 6th - 1993 - 7 workbooks (632 total pages)(bi-fold, tri-fold or "suit" case)
• 6th - 1999 - 7 workbooks (632 total pages)(The Classic, book shelf box)

The editons were virtually unchanged from 1988 through 1992. Then, In 1993, Gateway reorganized the 5 books and spread the same information and number of pages over 7 books. They didn't add to the program just organized it differently. Later they added an instructional booklet and audio-cassette, and changed from a bi-fold to a tri-fold plastic case. Next, a cardboard "suitcase" was used to house the program for a short while.

The New Series

In 1998, the program was reorganized into 6 cardboard boxes with diferent colors for each level, parents and 1 thru 5. This was not a new edition of the older program, but a complete reworking of the program. The major changes were the addition of more graphics to the workbooks, and the inclusion of 30 reading books.

In 2001 the parent's box was eliminated and the material from it was put in the level 1 box. There is a "deluxe" program that includes 20 additional reading books, as well as, extra word cards. Workbooks, charts and instruction guides are dated 2001 and cassettes and reading books are dated 1998. There is a Hooked on Phonics CD-rom that has phonics games and stories on it and became part of the HOP program around 2000.

The 2007 version, being sold now, is not a new edition. It is the 1998 edition packaged in a new retail box, and sold in cassette and audio-CD versions. The cassette and audio-CD versions come with 30 reading books, like the original 1998 edition. The audio-CD program is now being sold by Hooked on Phonics in 3 parts. Workbooks, charts and instruction guides are dated 2001 and cassettes and reading books are dated 1998.Level 1 is the "K" level; Levels 2-3 are sold as the "1st Grade level" and the Levels 4-5 are sold as the "2nd Grade level".

The workbooks, reading books, flash cards, musical program have not changed since 1998.

The "Classic" program has 7 editions:

• 1st - 1984
• 2nd - 1986
• 3rd - 1988 - 5 workbooks (621 total pages)
• 4th - 1991 - 5 workbooks (621 total pages)
• 5th - 1992 - 5 workbooks (621 total pages)
• 6th - 1993 - 7 workbooks (632 total pages)(bi-fold, tri-fold or "suit" case)
• 6th - 1999 - 7 workbooks (632 total pages)(The Classic, book shelf box)

The editons were virtually unchanged from 1988 through 1992. Then, In 1993, Gateway reorganized the 5 books and spread the same information and number of pages over 7 books. They didn't add to the program just organized it differently. Later they added an instructional booklet and audio-cassette, and changed from a bi-fold to a tri-fold plastic case. Next, a cardboard "suitcase" was used to house the program for a short while.

The New Series

In 1998, the program was reorganized into 6 cardboard boxes with diferent colors for each level, parents and 1 thru 5. This was not a new edition of the older program, but a complete reworking of the program. The major changes were the addition of more graphics to the workbooks, and the inclusion of 30 reading books.

In 2001 the parent's box was eliminated and the material from it was put in the level 1 box. There is a "deluxe" program that includes 20 additional reading books, as well as, extra word cards. Workbooks, charts and instruction guides are dated 2001 and cassettes and reading books are dated 1998. There is a Hooked on Phonics CD-rom that has phonics games and stories on it and became part of the HOP program around 2000.

The 2007 version, being sold now, is not a new edition. It is the 1998 edition packaged in a new retail box, and sold in cassette and audio-CD versions. The cassette and audio-CD versions come with 30 reading books, like the original 1998 edition. The audio-CD program is now being sold by Hooked on Phonics in 3 parts. Workbooks, charts and instruction guides are dated 2001 and cassettes and reading books are dated 1998.Level 1 is the "K" level; Levels 2-3 are sold as the "1st Grade level" and the Levels 4-5 are sold as the "2nd Grade level".

The workbooks, reading books, flash cards, musical program have not changed since 1998.

In the early 1990's Gateway Learning Corporation, the maker of "Hooked on Phonics" redistributed the pages from the 5 book program over 7 books to have the books and audiotapes match better. There are the same total number of pages in each program and the same teaching elements in both. In 1998, when the program was reorganized again, Gateway went back to 5 books, one for each level.

The "introductory kit" was one-third of level 1, usually the short vowels, that was sold to give a taste of the program to potential buyers. It is not a complete level 1. I've seen people bid these kits up to a price higher than a complete program. Don't do it. You are better off with an older COMPLETE program than 10% of a NEW program.

When most people talk about Hooked on Phonics, they ussually mean the "Learn to Read" prorgam. HOP "LTR" is a program to teach children and adults to read and write using phonics by breaking down words into their individual sounds. "Reading Power" builds on this by providing stories with questions that improve comprehension, grammar and vocabulary skills. "Master Reader is the update to "Reading Power". "Master reader uses CDRoms, reading cards and chapter books to teach advanced phonics.

There are 3 editions, 1988, 1991, and 1999. The 1988 and 1991 are the same bi-fold plastic case program, the only difference is that the tapes are marked "1991" in the 1991 edition. The Hooked on Math program was totally revamped in 1999, along the lines of the 1998 Hooked on Phonics. It was split into different multi-colored boxes and many graphics and games were added to the program. In 2005 an audio-CD version of the 1999 program was introduced and packaged in a "retail box". The audio-CD version of the math program is now being sold in separate levels, similar to the phonics program. Level 1 is addition and subtraction; level 2 is multiplication and level 3 is division. It is still the same 1999 edition.