Beyond the Code Book 1: Comprehension and Reasoning Skills

I happened upon this book at a homeschool book store and I'm so glad that I did. If you like or love the Explode the Code series, then the Beyond the Code books are a great next step. The A,B, and C Explode the Code books introduce the letters and their sounds. They thoroughly reinforce the letter sounds. Then books 1-8 (plus the 1/2 books) reinforce and teach phonics as children begin to read. Explode the Code introduces reading comprehension by helping children connect text to pictures. There are both exercises which reinforce spelling words and other exercises in which children have to identify which sentence is the correct one for the picture given. I am introducing the Beyond the Code series to my children after they have finished book 2 of the Explode the Code series (which late 1st grade/early 2nd). On the Educators Publishing Services website, this series is recommended for grades 2-4. This series is similar to the Explode the Code books--it has a similar format and approach. The pencil drawings are similar (no color). There is a story, then some yes/no questions, then some logic questions and a rhyming exercise. In this book (book 1), it is the story of Zach the Dog--in several parts. I can't say that my daughter loves doing this book, but it is very good and I love it because it is a great way to help teach her beginning comprehension. I think that part of the reason she hasn't loved it before was that I started it too early. I put it away for 4 months until later in 1st grade and now we are going to start it again. I'm sure that she will enjoy it a lot more now. One of my daughter's weaknesses is that she really prefers things that are easy for her (don't all of us?) and this book isn't as easy for her as a lot of of her books are. If Explode the Code is working really well for your child, then Beyond the Code will likely too. I think it is a great series!