Scaredy Cat Reading System

Name: Scaredy Cat Reading System
Brand: Ability Based Learninghttps://www.abilitybasedlearning.com/

by Ability Based Learninghttps://www.abilitybasedlearning.com/

ElaGrades Pre-K–4

Scaredy Cat Reading System: Story-Based Phonics for Struggling Readers

The Scaredy Cat Reading System is a phonics-based reading and spelling curriculum designed specifically for children with learning disabilities and struggling readers in Pre-K through grade 4. It uses character stories and simplified phonics rules to teach letter-sound relationships through a multi-sensory approach.

Best for

Teachers working with struggling readers, children with learning disabilities, or students who need intensive, systematic phonics instruction with multi-sensory approaches

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 5 concerns · 1 neutral

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides substantial teacher support through detailed manuals, scripted lessons, and varied activity suggestions.

Review emphasizes 'teacher manuals present many different learning activities,' 'script for the audio lessons is printed in the teacher manuals,' and reflects 'years of practical experience'

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum strongly supports direct instruction with teacher manuals, scripted lessons, and structured activities requiring teacher-student interaction.

Review states 'this is not an independent study program; it requires frequent interaction between student and teacher' and mentions 'scripted lessons presented on CD' with teacher manuals

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The curriculum provides systematic phonics instruction with a clear scope and sequence across three main levels plus an express level.

Progresses from alphabet and beginning sounds (Level 1) to CVC words (Level 2) to advanced phonics rules including 'Brave Vowels,' 'R Bully,' and prefixes/suffixes (Level 3 and Express)

Knowledge RichConcern

This is not a knowledge-rich curriculum but rather focuses specifically on phonics and decoding skills with story-based mnemonics.

Program centers on 'The Story of LetterMaster' comic and character stories to teach phonics rules, with no mention of systematic domain knowledge building across subjects

Text ComplexityConcern

Text complexity appears limited given the focus on phonics instruction and designed accessibility for struggling readers.

Program is 'designed for use by children with learning disabilities' and emphasizes 'simplification of the reading process,' suggesting texts may be below grade-level complexity

Vocabulary BuildingConcern

Vocabulary instruction appears limited, with the focus primarily on phonetic decoding rather than explicit vocabulary development.

Review mentions 'spelling and other language arts skills' in levels 2 and 3, but provides no specific details about systematic vocabulary instruction

Writing InstructionConcern

The curriculum includes some writing components but appears limited to handwriting practice and copywork.

Student activity books include 'handwriting practice' and the Christian supplement mentions 'copywork and handwriting practice,' but no mention of structured composition instruction

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum includes readers at levels 2 and 3, but the focus is primarily on phonics instruction rather than sustained reading of whole books.

Review mentions 'ABC Reader' at level 1, 'a reader' at level 2, and 'a reader' at level 3, but these appear to be supplementary to the phonics-focused lessons

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes some review elements and varied practice activities, but systematic retrieval practice is not clearly evident.

Review mentions 'games, lots of reading material, and many activity suggestions' and notes that 'Level 3 reviews CVC words,' but no specific mention of spaced review or systematic retrieval practice

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com