Really Great Reading

Name: Really Great Reading
Brand: Really Great Reading

by Really Great Reading

ElaGrades K–2

Really Great Reading: Multi-Component Early Reading System

Really Great Reading is a comprehensive early literacy curriculum for grades K-2 that includes multiple components for phonics instruction, reading development, and foundational skills. The program appears to offer both digital and traditional instructional materials, with Reading Bear being one component that provides free online phonics instruction through multimedia lessons.

Best for

Early elementary teachers (K-2) seeking systematic phonics instruction, homeschool families wanting structured reading programs, and schools needing foundational literacy support with digital components

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 1 concern · 4 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum employs clear direct instruction methods with explicit teaching and modeling.

Reading Bear uses systematic presentation: sound it out slowly, sound it out quickly, then student practice, with video modeling of pronunciation and clear lesson structure

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The Really Great Reading program demonstrates strong systematic phonics instruction with clear progression and explicit teaching.

Reading Bear component teaches phonics systematically from short vowels through complex phonograms like 'ive' and 'ence', with explicit sound-symbol instruction and blending practice

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum appears to focus primarily on individual words and short sentences rather than whole books or extended texts.

Reading Bear component teaches through individual words (5 per lesson) and sentences, with no mention of complete books or longer texts in the available reviews

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum shows some knowledge-building elements but limited systematic domain knowledge development.

EdReports indicates it 'Meets Expectations' for building knowledge through texts in some areas but only 'Partially Meets Expectations' in others; Reading Bear includes art and classical music interludes

Text ComplexityNeutral

The curriculum shows mixed results for grade-appropriate text complexity.

EdReports rates text quality and complexity as 'Meets Expectations' in some areas but 'Partially Meets Expectations' in others, indicating inconsistent text complexity alignment

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The program includes some review and practice elements but limited systematic retrieval practice.

Reading Bear includes audio and silent flashcards, quizzes after lesson groups, and review lessons after every five sets, but reviews don't indicate spaced retrieval systems

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The program includes vocabulary exposure but limited evidence of comprehensive vocabulary instruction.

Reading Bear presents words within context and sentences with illustrations, but reviews don't indicate systematic vocabulary building beyond phonics patterns

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

Limited evidence of comprehensive teacher training or professional development materials.

Reading Bear is designed for independent student use with minimal teacher guidance needed, but no mention of teacher training components for the broader Really Great Reading curriculum

Writing InstructionInsufficient Evidence

Insufficient evidence of structured writing instruction in the available reviews.

Neither the EdReports summary nor the Reading Bear review mentions writing instruction components

Sources: edreports.org, cathyduffyreviews.com