The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, Revised Edition updates the Original edition that more than a million ordinary parents have used to teach their children to read.
What we didn't change: OPG is still a simple, direct, scripted guide to teaching phonics and reading ― from short vowels through supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. The new format – a separate Instructor Guide with a Student Workbook for each student – makes it even easier for the teacher to explain and the student to learn the fundamental skills of reading.
Why did you create this new edition? Who is it meant for?
We kept the good of the Original edition, and freshened the language and examples. Based on customer feedback, we made the text less “busy,” and easier for both the teacher and the students to follow.
- The format is more appealing and less cluttered.
- We made the Instructor Guide easier to follow.
- We split the instructor and student texts; the student engages only with the student material.
Is this a completely new book or an addition to the OPG I already own?
For the most part, the lessons are the same, but there are some key updates to words and stories. The Revised Edition Student Book does not align with the Original single-book curriculum.
What do I need to buy if I want to use the Revised Edition?
The teacher needs The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, Revised Edition Instructor Book.
Each student needs a copy of The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, Revised Edition Student Book. The Student Book does not pair with the Original edition.
In what formats will the Revised edition be available? Which do you recommend?
Both the Instructor Guide and Student Book will be available in these formats:
- Paperback: available from our store and from other resellers.
- PDF: available only from the Well-Trained Mind Press store.
Printable, and useful on laptops and tablets. - eBook: available from eBook vendors (Amazon, Apple, Google).
Not printable.
Should I buy the new product, or is the legacy product still good?
The Original Edition is still a great way to teach your child to read.
The Revised Edition is intended to make it even easier – choose which works best for your child and for your budget.
Will you continue to sell the legacy edition after you release the Revised Edition?
We sell the Original edition paperbacks in Scratch and Dent format from our store at a 60% discount. When we run out, we will not reprint the Original edition. We no longer sell the PDF of the Original edition, but if you have already purchased a PDF of the Original edition, you will still be able to access it from your Well-Trained Mind Press account.
Can I use the flashcards I have already purchased? the Audio Companion? the magnet board?
Yes! The flashcards you already own will work just fine, and so will the Audio Companion, and the magnet board. All of these are optional, but helpful, supplements to both the Original and the Revised Edition.
Is this adaptable for the classroom and other group settings?
Yes. The teacher needs the Revised Instructor Book and each student needs a Revised Student Book. The Student Book can be purchased outright or licensed for in-house reproduction. Read about licensing the Student Workbook for classroom use in this article from our Help Center - FAQ.
Do you have any information about the Original Edition?
Yes. Take a look at this article from our website. Jessie Wise Bauer, the original author, explains the intent and structure of the Original OPG.