PRIDE Reading Program Review: Multi-Sensory Learning

I’m always on the lookout for a new, secular homeschool curriculum, and I’m excited to share a review of the PRIDE Reading Program. PRIDE is designed for students who struggle with learning to read but can be used by anyone. It’s also multi-sensory, meaning your child won’t spend the entire lesson in front of a workbook. Read on to see the benefits of the PRIDE Reading Program and figure out if it is the best fit for your family.

For a full list of your secular homeschool curriculum options, see our Secular Homeschool Curriculum Guide.

Watch the video podcast below or scroll down to read the full review. We received this curriculum free of charge and compensation for our time to provide a fair and honest review.

Check out the placement test at PRIDE Reading Program.

PRIDE Reading Program Review: The Basics

I’m pretty particular about learn-to-read programs because reading is such a fundamental skill. It’s not a subject where you want to miss steps. This learn-to-read program checks all of my boxes for what you need in a learn-to-read curriculum: it is a systematic, researched approach with multi-sensory components, and self-paced lessons.

Firstly, PRIDE uses Orton-Gillingham based instruction with systematic, structured lessons. There’s no guesswork here. You start at the beginning and work your way through. You don’t have to spend time figuring out what comes next.

Secondly, PRIDE Reading Program uses an interactive, multi-sensory approach to teaching phonemes and phonics. This feature sets it apart from a lot of other programs that are more workbook-based. A multisensory approach can be a gamechanger for kids who need more than just the words on a page to learn.

Finally, these lessons are short and you can move at your own pace. If your child zooms through a level, great, you can move on to the next one. But, if your child needs to move more slowly, that’s fine as well. The program is structured where you can take as little or as long as you need. The goal is to help your child become a strong reader, not to get through a program.

In addition to being well-designed, our review found that PRIDE Reading Program has some unique features that make it a standout program.

Program Details

The PRIDE Reading Program consists of six different levels (the following review features level 1, yellow). The website has a free placement exam to help you figure out where your child should start. You can then move through the levels at your child’s pace. One level could last anywhere from a portion of a year, a year, or more. It all depends on your child and how they are progressing.

Lessons can last anywhere from 20 minutes up to 45 minutes or more. The amount of time you spend depends on the level and how much time you want to devote to reading instruction each day. You have the flexibility to cut a lesson short or spend longer if your child is engaged.

If you feel like your child needs additional help, PRIDE can set you up with an online tutor. These trained tutors understand the Orton-Gillingham system and can work with your child online.

The PRIDE Reading Program also has you covered if you’re homeschooling in pods. Depending on your area, your group may be able to hire a specialist to teach your students. 

PRIDE Yellow Book Program Kit – Level 1

The PRIDE Yellow Book Program Kit – Level 1 includes the following:

• PRIDE Yellow Student Workbook
• Yellow Book Online Teaching Guide
• Sound Cards
• Letter Tiles
• Activity Kit

A few of these items, like the sound cards and letter tiles, are a one-time purchase.

What Sets the PRIDE Reading Program Apart?

During our PRIDE Reading Program review, I found a few stand-out components of the program that makes it both unique and effective. I feel that PRIDE did a great job of balancing a thorough reading program with addressing the needs of the homeschool parent-teacher by streamlining the materials and lessons and delivering a unique training component for parents.

Compact

With PRIDE, less is more. As a homeschooling parent, you probably know all too well how many homeschool materials can accumulate, especially if you have more than one kid. It can get overwhelming and you may feel like you don’t use half of the stuff.

PRIDE is compact. All of the materials come in a small bag. It’s easy to keep organized and is easy to keep track of all the parts. This compact program would be great for families in small homes, apartments, road schooling, or frequently on the go.

SUPER Simple, Step-by-Step Lessons

If you worry about teaching your child to read, the PRIDE Reading Program is 100% scripted. You won’t have to worry about gaps in instruction. With simple, easy-to-follow directions and everything contained in one bag, your prep time is short. I never found myself scrambling, looking for materials or starting early to prepare myself.

Take a look at a sample lesson, and you’ll get an idea of how easy it is to deliver these lessons: Yellow Book Program Reading Guide.

PRIDE Reading Program Training Videos

In the time between ordering your PRIDE Reading Program and receiving the student materials, you’ll receive a training course via email. Before you begin teaching, the training videos introduce you to the different components and techniques you’ll be using in the program. You can go through the course so that you’re ready to begin as soon as you receive your materials.

If you’re a new homeschooler or haven’t had success teaching your child at home thus far, this training may be the tipping point for you. You’ll go into the program with enough background and understanding to deliver lessons with confidence. That training, combined with the step-by-step format of the daily lessons and the simple, compact format makes this a really easy program to teach.

Who is the PRIDE Reading Program For?

The program focuses on helping the parent or teacher, making it excellent for new homeschoolers or parents who are teaching a child to read for the first time.

The PRIDE Reading program is designed for kids with dyslexia and auditory processing disorders (for this review, we used the program with my daughter with dysphonic dyslexia). However, it can be used with any child who is learning to read. It will be a good fit for kids who are having a bit of trouble or getting a later start. Since the program moves at your child’s pace, you can move more slowly through the lessons. This ensures that your child is understanding. Later, pick up the pace when your child is mastering the concepts more quickly.

If you have an avid or advanced reader, you may find yourself speeding through the program. However, since many of the materials in the first kit are re-usable, this might not be an issue. You can reuse kit materials for a younger sibling who is learning to read more quickly, for example.

PRIDE Reading Program Review: Final Thoughts

When you’re comparison shopping reading programs, I recommend checking out PRIDE. They quickly float to the top of your list as a solid program with a few special extras that make it stand out.

You’ll find that this curriculum checks all the boxes for learning to read:

1. Orton Gillingham based
2. Includes multisensory, hands-on learning
3. Systematic instruction developed for homeschooling

and the program provides some extras that might be the perfect fit:
+ Specifically designed for learners with dyslexia and auditory processing disorders
+ 100% scripted lessons for parents
+ Compact & portable design
+ Video training for parents

Check out the placement test at PRIDE Reading Program. And for a side-by-side comparison of ten top phonics programs see our Phonics Curriculum Guide post.