Scaredy Cat Reading System TOS *Review

 Joyce Herzog is the creator of the Scaredy Cat Reading system and has been sharing it with children since 1993. With a over 25 years of experience in both private and public elementary schools, including those with learning disabilities, Dr. Herzog's methods have been widely used in the homeschooling community.

 Scaredy Cat Reading System Level 1 begins the reading process by learning letter names and sounds through music, games, activities and more. This has been a fantastic starting point for my 5 year old preschooler! I was super excited about the wide variety of activities and games we could choose from to supplement learning in a fun way.

When I saw the opportunity to learn more about this system, I was thrilled it came at a time when my youngest was just starting his letter learning. He is 5 now, but this program would work for those as young as 3 with an interest in learning their letters! I will be starting him in K this coming fall, but as with most home schoolers, we tend to teach them year around anyhow. This was a great opportunity to try a different approach. My older children struggled with reading, so this time I decided we would dive in differently. Though we only were able to work with this for about a month before the review, I did see some great strides in his learning. He is able to tell me all of the letter names, in and out of order. We are currently working on the sounds one by one, and listing to The Story of Letter Master (which we have in both comic form and on CD).

This system has been easy enough for my 17 year old to work with me on teaching the 5 year old. Being 'old school', I truly enjoyed getting a packet of papers to work with, and a program where I didn't have to check the computer for what to do next!

The complete system sells for $75 and includes:

The Teacher's Manual
Student Activity Book
Audio CD with alphabet songs
Audio of The Letter Master
Reversal Prevention Kit
Fun Learning Pack Including:
     Magnetic Alphabet cards
     Laminated Alphabet spinner
     Magnetic Beginning sounds cards
     Laminated flash cards
     Alphabet Review Game
     The Story of Lettermaster comic
     Simple reader (which you can choose secular of Christian)

You can purchase an additional student activity book for $30.

This system just made sense! It was in a basic order, simple focus, but just seemed to hold enough excitement without too many bells and whistles to distract. Another thing I really liked about this program is there is room for us to grow as it also has a level 2 and 3 kit. As we finish up this volume, we will be able to go right into volume 2 for our K year.


See a sample of the Teacher's Manual HERE

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The Promise Box Q&A with Tricia Goyer

Laurel Thomas: How do you pick Bible verses for your books?

Each of my books has a theme. In fact this is the first thing I figure out with all of my books. For example, in The Promise Box my focus was “truth.” Throughout the book the Scriptures I picked spoke truth into a character's situation. Many of the Scripture verses in the books were ones that spoke to my life. They are seeds of truth I've planted within my own life that find themselves on the page.

Laurel Thomas: Do you actually try the dishes that characters eat?

I have tried some of the Amish recipes. I've made whoopie pies and some of the other treats. But some things I've tasted from Amish restaurants and I didn't make . . . but I haven't had anything that I didn’t like! The Amish have very good taste!

Sarah Reed Levels: How do the Amish deal with adoption?

The Amish deal with adoption just like anyone else. They have to follow the same laws and go through the same processes. Adoption isn't common, but it does happen in the Amish community.

Jalynn Patterson: How do you pick characters for your books?

I had to think about this question for a while because the characters seem to pick me! When I get the idea, the people sort of show up. When I first thought of The Promise Box I immediately saw Lydia with her red hair blowing in the breeze as she drove up to the West Kootenai.

I do have a “characters” board on Pinterest, and I do find inspiration after looking at faces and expressions: http://pinterest.com/triciagoyer/characters/

When I was thinking about The Promise Box, this image really stood out to me as Lydia: http://pinterest.com/pin/108156828523843059/

I felt her uncertainty and vulnerability, and that came out on the page.

Jalynn Patterson: How do you come up with a storyline? Do you have a process you go through?

My process.

The title of the book usually comes first and the general idea of what will happen. The characters soon follow, and they're usually dragging BAGGAGE. I use a lot of baggage in my books: past pain, hurt relationships, burdens, and regrets.

Then I think about the theme. For The Promise Box, it was TRUTH. Any time my characters grew in truth, walked toward truth, and turned to Jesus—our TRUTH—then things went well. Any time they focused on lies or mistruth, then things got hard for them. Just coming to this realization helps me shape the main plot points of my novel.

Since I have two characters they will each have their own struggles, but they will both deal with the same theme. Lydia needed to discover the truth of her birth. Gideon needed to discover the truth of the day he got lost. Of course as they both try to come to terms with the truth, a dance happens where they are pulled together and pushed apart.

Once I get the main plot points written down, then I start writing. I usually write the first chapter, but then after that I'll jump around. I'll move from the beginning, to the end, and then I'll write a little here and a little there throughout the book. I usually hit the main emotional scenes and focus on those first. I have those scattered throughout the book.

After I have about 1/2 of the book in pieces, I then start from the beginning of the book, starting over at chapter one and moving through the manuscript. By this point the whole story is already in my mind—like a movie—and it's just getting it on paper!