Scaredy Cat Reading System

by Joyce Herzog

JoyceHerzog.com, Inc.

This phonics-based reading and spelling program was written by a teacher with much experience teaching children with learning disabilities. The students are taught that vowels can be brave (long) or scared (short); hence the name Scaredy Cat Reading System. Joyce Herzog has designed a user-friendly method that appeals to both child and parent.

Recognizing problems some children have with letter/sound identification, she has created “stories” to help children learn and remember. These stories originate from a comic that comes with the program: “The Story of LetterMaster Who Gave the Vowels Their Jobs.” Within the story is the rationale used in the system to teach letters and sounds; the behavior of the letters creates the inconsistencies of English letter/sound correspondence. (The comic is the introduction and will probably only be needed at the beginning of the program.)

There are Four Levels to the Scaredy Cat Reading System. The first three levels include a Teacher Manual, with instruction, lessons, and lists of activities. Also included are a Student Activity Manual with games, puzzles, lesson practice, and accompanying audio CDs and more. (Write for their free brochure or go to their website for help in determining which levels you need. Placement tests are available on the website.)

Exploring the Alphabet (formerly Level 1) covers the alphabet, beginning sounds, and an introduction to the vowels via songs on a CD, a script for the songs, games, illustrated phonics cards, puzzles, and new laminated reversal posters for those easily confused letters (i.e. d b, p q, N Z, etc.).

Expedition with Vowels (formerly Level 2) teaches about “Scared Vowels” in the three-letter consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. Lessons are presented on audio CD with accompanying script. Cards, posters, and game boards are also included to provide a variety of learning experiences. Students who have had previous reading instruction but have progressed poorly can move through the materials quickly as they demonstrate mastery.

Excursion into Words (formerly Level 3) reviews CVC words and introduces new phonics rules such as “Brave Vowels,” “R Bully,” “Rebel Words,” “Great Pretender Y,” and others, again with lessons on 2 CDs. Upon completion, concepts through a second-grade reading and spelling level have been mastered. Included are over 1,000 word and game cards, laminated game boards, and posters.

Rules and Fun! (Level 4)--in only fifteen rules!--covers all phonics concepts from the CVC pattern through prefixes, suffixes, and foreign words and sounds, with a song for each rule on CD. This level is designed for use by a teacher who is confident in her ability to teach reading and spelling and is only looking for the basics, OR as a review level for older students needing help in reading or spelling. Students with learning disabilities might need to use both levels 3 and 4, while the average older student can probably jump straight to level 4.

Variety is the hallmark of Scaredy Cat. Herzog has included games, lots of reading material (some illustrated), and many activity suggestions. The wealth of ideas reflects her years of practical experience and also makes it easier for us to adapt the program to suit the needs of different learners. We can do more auditory (listening to the CDs), visual (working with written materials in the book), or kinesthetic (hands-on) activities depending upon the need. Except for the Student Activity Manual, the materials are non-consumable and can be used to teach more than one child at a time.

The presentation of phonetic rules is a little unusual. The primary emphasis at first is on vowels since they present the most difficulties. The first rule about vowels has a number of exceptions that are covered in more depth elsewhere in the program. The book makes us conscious of the exceptions so we can acknowledge them if our child spots them.

Christian supplements are available. Bible Quotes for Phonics and Spelling can be used for reading, copywork, and handwriting practice after Rule One has been taught. The Little Beginner’s Books for the Expedition with Vowels and Excursion into Words levels are designed to aid in reading comprehension. The books move lesson-by-lesson and allow the student to illustrate what they have read, rather than looking at the picture to figure out the words in the sentence.