Professor Phonics Me and My Mouse
Publisher: Sue Greve
For more information or to order: www.professorphonics.com

Who said learning to read can't be fun?  Professor Phonics with Me and My Mouse is a computer-based, intensive phonics program that combines thorough phonics instruction with fun games. This program is, for the most part, self-teaching.  There is an extensive help file, which you MUST read in order to orient yourself and your child to the program.  Navigation is done primarily through clicking on picture boxes, which I found a bit frustrating at first, but my son had little problem figuring out how it all worked! The games are not the types of graphic-intensive, fast-paced games that you might be familiar with; instead they have been very specifically designed to reinforce the skills taught in the lessons and provide lots of repetition, which is important for retention.

Based on the award winning, "Professor Phonics Gives Sound Advice", this program uses proven strategies for teaching students of any age or ability.  As your child advances through the program he can apply his new skills by using any basal reading program or the "easy readers" found at the library.  Although it completely stands on its own, Professor Phonics with Me and My Mouse can also be used to augment any phonics curriculum you are already using.  In addition to teaching phonics skills, Professor Phonics also builds a foundation in language arts through exercises that incorporate and teach spelling, word formation and sentence structure.  Rather than being numbered, the lessons introduce letter sounds and blends through a steady progression - each lesson builds upon the last.  Students learn the letter name, then the sound and, in the last step, they are instructed to trace the letter on the screen.  Although, once oriented your student can use this program independently, you will want to check on them to make sure they are tracing letters correctly since there is no starting point given on the screen.  The same process is used to introduce the 42 letter sounds and short vowels.  Students play games to reinforce concepts learned in the lessons.  In addition to the letter sounds and blends, students build an extensive sight word vocabulary, mastering over 1500 words by the time they complete both program CDs.  Throughout the lessons and games, students receive instant feedback in the form of applause for correct answers during games and praise and/or gentle correction from Professor Phonics. Students advance at their own pace, reviewing material as necessary; and even the most impatient young scholar will smile as they begin reading words from the very first lesson.

Professor Phonics with Me and My Mouse appeals to all three learning modalities. Auditory skills are strengthened through listening to the instructions of the Professor and orally repeating the letter sounds/blends/words. Visually the program trains the eye to read from left to right during all lessons and, of course, the games help hand-eye coordination.  Finally, this program helps the "hands-on" or tactile learner through mouse movement, using the keyboard and tracing letters on the screen.  Because it is designed to be self-teaching, moms with several children will enjoy letting the Professor teach phonics, freeing them to work with their other children.  A stand-alone program, all you need is the CD and pencil/paper for writing practice.  You will need to keep a record of where your student is in the program since Disc One has no system for recording/saving lesson progress.  This is being remedied with the soon-to-be-released Disc Two that completes the program.  Though phonics can definitely be learned with a less expensive program, Professor Phonics with Me and My Mouse has many features that make it worth your consideration, including the fact that it is non-consumable and therefore can be used with multiple children.  The developer offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee and is available to answer your questions via email or toll-free support.

Making the Grade: -A
Cost: The entire program is $250.00 -- DISC ONE COSTS $200.00. It is 62% of the program (short vowels). Disc Two is $50.00, which is the rest of the program (long vowels and diphthongs). Disc Two will be finished by June, 2004 -- Disc One is available for purchase now.
Value for your homeschool dollar: 7
Review provided by Cindy Prechtel, Editor