ORT - what is it?

[stressed2007]

Please can someone explain what this is in the context of learning to read? Thanks

Oxford Reading TRee - it's a reading programme based on Phonics.

Quite good IMO

It's a reading scheme, not particularly based on phonics, in fact a bit out-of-date with current phonics teaching (from what I've gathered).

The older ORT books are not specifically based on phonics.

ds1 had ORT early stage books with words like fierce and frightened in.

there are however newer ORT Songbird Phonics books, levels 1 to 5 ( or maybe 6), and these fit in a lot better with the early emphasis on phonics. Unfortunately most schools can't afford to upgrade their entire stock of early reader books so they plough on teaching phonics and sending home old style ORT reading books which don't tie in particularly well with the phonics training the kids have had.

see? what do I know?

You can buy ORT phonics books in Waterstones. They are slightly larger than the other ones, but about the same price.

gerat - thanks - I am a total novice at this all still

You can often get packs/sets of the songbirds phonics books from the Book People or other book club type sellers. That's where I got levels 1 to 3 from for ds1 and it was much cheaper than buying them from a bookshop.

Google around and see what you can get.

I wouldn't buy the ORT books if your DC will be using them at school. Try your local library, ours stocks Songbird Phonics and loads of other stuff. If you search on ORT you will find lots of threads on here but if you DCs school use the old ORT books you will find that they won't fit with learning phonics.