After 13 years of teaching everything from Pre-K to 5th grade, you learn a thing or two about curriculum. Some programs make you want to happy dance with a dry-erase marker in hand. Others? You’re left silently praying that the copier jams-again–because even the worksheets are a snooze.
So, when I decided to homeschool my energetic, nature-loving five-year-old son, I knew I wanted structure and support from a curriculum–not a patchwork of Pinterest printables. I wanted to be excited to teach reading, not exhausted by trying to make it up as I go.
Why Not Just “Wing It?” Could I create my own phonics lessons? Sure. Did I want to? Nope. I like feeling prepared. Having a plan in place gives me the freedom to enjoy the spontaneous stuff (mud puddles, bug hunts, unplanned baking fractions). But for subjects like reading, I knew I needed:
- Research-backed phonics instruction
- Hands-on learning for my very active boy
- Low prep time for me
- A system I could stick with (even on low-sleep, three-cups-of-coffee days)
Enter: All About Reading Level 1
Here’s why it was love at first read:
1. It’s Based on the Science of Reading
As someone with a literacy background, I knew phonics needed to be front and center. All About Reading doesn’t just dabble in decoding—it builds it, one step at a time. Letter teams, blends, syllables—each skill is taught explicitly and systematically, which helps kids become confident, independent readers.
2. It’s Multisensory (Read: It Works for Wiggly Kids)
Each lesson includes:
- Hands-on word building with letter tiles
- Games and activities from the student book (not your typical worksheet work)
- Decodable readers that align perfectly with the lesson
Matty can move, touch, build, and feel successful. Plus, time limit suggested—20 minutes per lesson. That’s a magic number in this house.
3. The Materials Are Gorgeous and Practical
Okay, I won’t lie—I geeked out a little unboxing it. The student workbook comes with tear out pages, the readers are beautifully illustrated and engaging, and the teacher’s manual is totally scripted (so on days I’m running on fumes, I don’t have to think).
There are also:
- Word cards
- Letter tiles
- Activity sheets
- Progress chart with stickers (yes, even I like sticking them on)
4. The Prep Can Be a One-and-Done (Netflix Binge, Anyone?)
I spent one weekend cutting and organizing everything into binder sleeves by lesson—which sounds tedious, but honestly, it was kind of soothing? Think: one part prep, one part “watching Bridgerton after bedtime” productivity.
Now, I just pull the next lesson’s sleeve and go. It’s a lifesaver.
5. It Supports Reluctant Readers
Matty knows his letters and sounds, but he puts a lot of pressure on himself to “know everything.” He gets discouraged if he can’t do something right away. This program gently builds his confidence. The lessons are predictable, short, and success-oriented.
He wants to see his sticker chart fill up. He wants to read the next story. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?
Questions I Had (and You Might Too):
Is it too much for a young five-year-old? Nope. The 20-minute limit keeps it doable. And you can slow the pace or repeat lessons as needed.
Do I really need all the components? Honestly, yes. The letter tiles and readers are key. The teacher’s guide is the glue that holds it together.
Will it take forever to prep? Only once. Prep it upfront, and you’re golden. Future you will be very grateful.
What if my kid hates reading? Try this. It’s joyful, lighthearted, and empowering. Kids don’t feel like they’re “failing” if they can’t read a word—they’re just building one more piece of the puzzle.
Final Thoughts- I hope that All About Reading Level 1 can take the pressure off both of us. I get to enjoy teaching reading (yes, even when I haven’t finished my coffee), and Matty gets to feel like a reader before he ever finishes a whole book.
If you’re starting your homeschool journey and want something structured, fun, and actually effective? This is it.
Want to see how my first week of All About Reading goes or future curriculum reviews?
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Anchor and Sail Collective 
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