Explode the Code: A review by a teacher

Updated on July 13, 2023

This review was written by Manisha Snoyer, the founder and CEO of Modulo, a company that provides resources and support families who are homeschooling their children. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher, Manisha has instructed over 2,000 children of all ages and abilities in three countries and 18 subjects. She has tutored at some of the best private schools in the world and throughout the NYC public school system. Manisha graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University.

Overview of Explode the Code

For a fun, but comprehensive mastery-based phonetics curriculum that is tailored to individual students, we recommend Explode the Code Online. Explode the Code Online is a mastery-based curriculum using multi-sensory, research-based and teacher-tested methods for direct, systematic phonics instruction. It was based on the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading, while also using research based techniques and teacher input. Explode the Code Online incorporates an abundance of practice and reinforcement opportunities for greater retention and encourages the development of comprehension skills through reading in context. Parents love the continual built-in assessments, plug and play capabilities, high level of student enjoyment and results. Some families feel that Explode the Code Online focuses more on speed than accuracy, uses some ambiguous pictures, relies on typing skills, and doesn't discriminate between vowel and consonant errors. Some parents also incorporate the Explode the Code workbooks as a supplement to this program.

Grades: PK-4th

Cost: An annual subscription to the online program costs $65 for the first student, with a slightly reduced rate for additional students.

Key Features of Explode the Code

• Structured phonics instruction: "Explode The Code" presents a systematic and sequential approach to teaching phonics. It introduces sounds and letters progressively, starting from simple concepts and gradually moving to more complex ones.

• Multi-sensory learning: The program involves auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning methods, providing multiple avenues for children to understand and remember phonics rules.

• Interactive activities: It offers a variety of fun and engaging exercises, such as fill-in-the-blanks, matching games, and writing practice, which help reinforce the concepts taught.

• Comprehensive coverage: The series covers all the basic phonics concepts necessary for developing reading skills, including consonant sounds, vowel sounds, blends, digraphs, and diphthongs.

• Workbooks and online resources: "Explode The Code" includes both physical workbooks and an online platform. This dual modality can cater to different learning preferences and environments.

• Systematic assessment: Each level concludes with a post-test that helps assess the student's understanding of the material covered. This feedback can guide further instruction and practice.

• Repetition and reinforcement: Concepts are consistently reviewed and reiterated throughout the program to reinforce learning and aid retention.

• Incremental learning: The series is divided into several books, each focusing on a specific set of phonics skills. This breakdown allows children to learn at their own pace and ensures they fully grasp each concept before moving on to the next.

• Support materials: The program provides additional resources like teacher's guides, which provide instruction tips and answers to the exercises in the student books.

Pros and Cons of Explode the Code

Based on feedback from parents in online parenting forums here are the top five pros and cons of Explode the Code:

What parents like about Explode the Code

• Independent Learning: Many parents appreciated that Explode the Code allowed their children to work independently, which gave them the freedom to focus on other tasks.

• Effective Phonics Instruction: Parents found that Explode the Code provided solid phonics instruction, helping children learn letter sounds and decoding skills.

• Incremental Progression: The program was praised for its incremental progression, gradually increasing in difficulty as children advanced through the lessons.

• Fun and Engaging Activities: Some parents mentioned that their children enjoyed the activities in Explode the Code, finding them fun and engaging.

• Affordability: Explode the Code was considered an affordable option, making it accessible for many homeschooling families.

What parents dislike about Explode the Code

• Repetitive Content: Several parents expressed concerns about the repetitive nature of the program, with children having to complete similar activities with the same words multiple times.

• Lack of Variety: Some parents felt that Explode the Code lacked variety in its activities, leading to potential boredom for their children.

• Limited Explanation: A few parents mentioned that Explode the Code didn't provide sufficient explanations for certain concepts, which could be challenging for children who needed more guidance.

• Potential Glitches: A few parents encountered technical issues with the online version of Explode the Code, such as bugs and grading errors, which affected their experience with the program.

• Insufficient Extension Activities: Some parents wished that Explode the Code offered more extension activities beyond the workbook pages to provide additional practice and engagement for their children.

It's important to note that these pros and cons are based on individual experiences and opinions shared by parents in the Facebook group, and they may vary depending on the specific needs and preferences of each child and family.

Explode the Code and Dyslexia

Explode The Code can be a good fit for children with dyslexia, as it incorporates many elements that align with the needs of dyslexic learners. The program follows a structured and systematic approach to phonics instruction, which is beneficial for dyslexic students who often struggle with phonological awareness and decoding skills.

Here are some reasons why Explode The Code can be effective for children with dyslexia:

1. Multisensory Instruction: Explode The Code incorporates multisensory activities that engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities. This approach helps dyslexic learners by providing multiple pathways for information processing and reinforcement.

2. Incremental and Cumulative Approach: The program progresses gradually, introducing new phonetic concepts in a step-by-step manner. This incremental and cumulative approach allows dyslexic learners to build upon their existing knowledge and reinforce skills before moving on to more complex concepts.

3. Phonics-Based Instruction: Dyslexic learners often benefit from explicit and systematic phonics instruction. Explode The Code focuses on teaching the relationship between sounds and letters, helping dyslexic students develop decoding skills and improve reading fluency.

4. Visual Support: The program utilizes visual cues, such as pictures and illustrations, to reinforce phonetic concepts. This visual support can be particularly helpful for dyslexic learners who may struggle with auditory processing or phonemic awareness.

5. Structured Practice: Explode The Code provides ample opportunities for practice and repetition, allowing dyslexic learners to reinforce their skills and build automaticity. The program includes various exercises and activities that target phonics, spelling, and reading comprehension.

While Explode The Code can be beneficial for children with dyslexia, it's important to remember that individual needs may vary. Some dyslexic learners may require additional interventions or modifications tailored to their specific learning profiles. It's recommended to consult with a qualified educational professional or dyslexia specialist to determine the best approach for supporting a child with dyslexia.

FAQ about Explode the Code

What level of reading is Explode the Code?

Explode The Code goes up to Book 8, which is typically suitable for students in grades 2-4. However, it's important to note that the program is more focused on skill development rather than being linked to specific ages or grades.

Is there a placement test for Explode The Code?

Yes, there is a placement test available for Explode The Code. The placement test helps determine the appropriate starting point for a student within the program based on their current phonics skills and knowledge.

What is Explode The Code Online?

Explode The Code Online is a digital version of the Explode The Code program. It utilizes the same time-tested content from the print workbook series but offers the advantages of adaptive, individualized placement and instruction. It provides effective, research-based, multisensory phonics instruction in an online format.

Does Explode The Code teach how to read?

Yes, Explode The Code is designed to teach essential literacy skills needed for reading success. It focuses on phonological awareness, decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and spelling. The program uses a systematic phonics approach to help students develop reading skills.

Is Explode The Code good for spelling?

Yes, Explode The Code incorporates phonetics and spelling instruction. The program teaches students how to decode words and understand the relationship between sounds and letters. By reinforcing phonics skills, it helps improve spelling abilities as well.

Overall, Explode The Code is a comprehensive phonics program that provides structured instruction in reading, phonics, and spelling. It offers a multisensory approach and can be a valuable resource for students in their early reading and language development journey.

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