First Start Reading

Name: First Start Reading
Brand: Memoria Press

by Memoria Press

ElaGrades K–1

First Start Reading: Systematic Phonics Foundation for Early Readers

First Start Reading is an intensive phonics program for grades K-1 that systematically teaches letter-sound relationships, blending, and basic reading skills. The curriculum emphasizes proper handwriting instruction alongside phonics and includes brief teacher guides with student workbooks for structured early literacy instruction.

Best for

Homeschool families and teachers seeking an affordable, systematic phonics program for K-1 students with emphasis on proper handwriting formation

Evaluation Criteria

4 strengths · 5 neutral

Text ComplexityStrength

Text complexity is appropriate for the foundational level, starting with simple sentences and progressing to short stories within grade-level expectations.

Students progress from reading 'I am Sam' in lesson 5 to 'short stories later on in the first workbook' with systematic skill building

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum facilitates direct instruction with teacher guides and structured lessons requiring teacher presentation.

Lessons are presented by the parent or teacher using the teacher guides, student workbook, and a whiteboard' with 'refreshingly brief' instructions

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The program provides highly systematic phonics instruction with a logical sequence from letter-sound relationships through advanced phonics patterns.

Teaches 'just a few letters, then immediately teaches blending' starting with 'liquid consonants' and progressing through 'long-vowel digraphs, soft c and g, and the three sounds of y'

Writing InstructionStrength

The program includes structured handwriting instruction with emphasis on proper pencil grip and manuscript printing.

Features 'emphasis on proper instruction in printing, especially on pencil grip' and students 'learn to take words by dictation'

Knowledge RichNeutral

This is primarily a foundational phonics program without systematic domain knowledge building across subjects.

The curriculum focuses on 'letters and sounds' and basic reading skills rather than building background knowledge in history, science, or arts

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The program provides teacher guidance but limited comprehensive professional development materials.

Includes 'teacher guides' with 'refreshingly brief' instructions and specific guidance on pencil grip instruction, but no mention of extensive training materials

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The program includes daily recitation for reviewing letter sounds and concepts but limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice.

Includes 'a daily recitation' where 'children review the basic sounds of the letters along with the concepts of upper and lower case'

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Essential sight words are taught strategically as needed, but systematic vocabulary development is not a primary focus.

Essential sight words are taught as needed so that students are able to read the sentence, 'I am Sam' during the fifth lesson

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

The program focuses on building foundational reading skills rather than whole book reading, with students progressing from short sentences to brief stories.

Students read sentences like 'I am Sam' in lesson 5 and progress to 'short stories later on in the first workbook, albeit with limited vocabulary'

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com