Is this a full curriculum?
Think of this as Bob Books. By itself, it's not a full phonics curriculum. Your reading/phonics curriculum will introduce each letter sound and teach your child how to start blending them together to make words. Most curriculum will offer to add on their own set of readers for you to use. For example, The Good and the Beautiful has a reading curriculum that teaches phonics and then a set of “kindergarten readers” that are little booklets to practice reading. That’s where the Pocket Primer would come in. The Pocket Primer will give your children reading practice with a focus on that letter sound and the first 50 sight words for kindergarten. By practicing with a real book, your child will learn not just to decode the sounds of letters but all those extra habits that go into reading like tracking a line of text, reading with expression, and--most importantly--reading for understanding! These skits are packed full of wit and humor with real story lines that will build their reading comprehension as well.
What research/testing went into the Pocket Primer?
I’m Christina Cook, a former teacher and tutor of over 10 years, turned homeschool mom. As I created the Pocket Primer, I immersed myself in research and beta testing with educators in the teacher and homeschool community.
Historical Primer Research:
The New England Primer (published 1688) The British Battledore (published in 1746), McGuffey’s First Eclectic Reader (published 1879) The Aldine Reader Primer (published 1907) The Riverside Reader Primer (published 1911)
Educational Research:
“Home Education” by Charlotte Mason (circa 1905) “Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences,” by Howard Gardner (published 2004) “Recipe for Reading: Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers,” by Francis Bloom and Nina Traub (published 2005)
Real Human Interviews & Beta Testing:
Over 140 beta readers–chosen from a group of homeschool moms, teachers, librarians, and linguistic experts–gave feedback on the design in its various stages.
My own children and homeschool circle have been benevolent beta testers throughout the process.
And perhaps my most valued asset–every stage of this was reviewed by the expert eye of my mom–reading specialist, veteran public-school teacher and reading tutor of over 30 years. I am so grateful for each and every person who lent their wisdom and insight to this project. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!
I've never taught a kid to read before. Will there be a teacher's guide?
Yes! Every Pocket Primer comes with an accompanying Teacher's Guide and video tutorial so you can watch me demonstrate using the Pocket Primer in my homeschool and get everything you need to confidently use it with your children. The tutorial includes: 1) How to use the Pocket Primer in your homeschool kindergarten, 2) How to incorporate it into an existing reading/phonics curriculum, and 3) How to pair it with a Charlotte Mason learning routine.
At what age is best to start with the Pocket Primer?
Every child is different but generally, this will be right for the 4-6 year-old. The best time to start using the Pocket Primer is when your child starts showing an interest in reading and/or when you begin a reading curriculum together. For younger children, the Pocket Primer can be used as a regular storybook with the mother reading both character parts. As your child nears kindergarten, the Pocket Primer can then be used as side-by-side reading practice with mother and child with each taking one of the character parts.
Is the Pocket Primer stopping at kindergarten? Will it be made into a series?
Yes! The Pocket Primer will be a complete series, continuing with a Pocket Primer for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. The 1st-grade edition of the Pocket Primer is currently in development and will be released in spring 2027.
