Review & Giveaway: Rock 'N Learn Phonics Volume 1 & 2

“How come you can learn all the words to songs, but you can’t learn your school work?!”

When I received this in my email, I thought this was HILARIOUS because my Daddy used to tell this to me ALL THE TIME when I as a kid. Well, actually it was a variation: If you'd just put the same amount of effort into your school work as you do your music, your grades would be even better!

My 13 year old self's usual answer? Because learning the chords to the new Slayer song is way more fun than algebra. :P

Well, it WAS. I am doomed when my daughter starts school, aren't I? It sounds like I didn't care about school, the truth is, I was bored to death. I've been lousy at math subjects, but reading - reading (plus English and History) was my forte. We'd go every week to the library as a child, and I'd pick up at least 20 books each time. I won every single reading tournament every single year. In kindergarten I was already a reading monster, and well ahead of my classmates. In high school, I just read my way through classes. I would read at least one - sometimes two - novels every day.

I really should blog more about my school years. You'll either be horrified, or bow down to me. LOL (My parents will tell you I was way more than a handful. On the bright side? I think I turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.)

I bring all of this up, because reading is very important to me and my family. We go to the library at least twice a week, and I pile up the books. When we are out shopping, especially at thrift stores, I always look for good books to add to our collection. I simply cannot wait to hear our daughter read on her own that very first time - and have that magical world open up to her.

The folks over at Rock 'N Learn have some seriously great educational DVD's on the market. They catch kids' attention using music full of catchy lyrics. They have lots of different series, and cover pretty much all of the school subjects. They sent us over their newest series, Phonics Volume 1 and Volume 2, on DVD to review.


Phonics Volume 1 helps your child learn short vowels, consonants, blends & digraphs, word families - and all about that pesky silent E - remember how annoying it was learning that one? I like this series because it gives kids a moment to think before starting in on the answer. There's a slightly creepy looking mouth saying the answer along with your child so they can see how it's being said and work on pronouncing it themselves as they read the words on the screen. There are 28 little "chapters" on this first disc, as well as two bonus stories being read at a faster pace: "Pip Gets a Pap" and "Hiss And Run". The total running time is 70 minutes long.


Phonics Volume 2 brings on the long vowels, vowel combinations, syllables, ending sounds, and another one of those pesky things: silent consonants. (I've always heard it said that English is a very difficult language to learn, and the more I think about it - the more I agree!) Like the first volume, your child will have a few moments to think and say the answer before the mouth starts talking. This disc contains 30 "chapters", including a super fun song, "The Zany Rainy Bread Lady" that will be stuck in YOUR head for days. lol It also contains two faster pace bonus sections on this disc as well" "Fruit on the Beach" and "The Zany Rainy Bread Lady". The total running time is 78 minutes long.



Direct Link for the feedreaders

Now this series is geared at ages 6 and up, but I personally feel it is never too early to help your children learn to read. While most of the learning information was still over my daughter's head, she still happily danced around to the songs and excitedly pointed and talked to the TV when we were viewing it together. (I have no fear, she'll be reading Poe when she's seven just like I did.)

When I look at educational items, I always look at them from a homeschooling point of view. This series is definitely worth adding (or supplementing) to school curriculum. Teachers will probably want to add this to their arsenal as well! If you're just looking to help your child along in school right now, you'll definitely want to check it out. This isn't a series they will only watch once to learn, they'll want to watch it over and over. Rock 'N Learn's products have been recommended by teachers for that very reason, and they've also received the Parenting Seal of Approval, as well as been recognized for a Mom's Best Award for Best Products of 2010. I plan to pick up the Spanish Volumes I & II set to add to our collection as well.

Each DVD retails for $19.99, but if you purchase both volumes together, there's a bit of a discount - you can purchase them together for $34.99. You can order online, or purchase at Barnes & Noble, as well as quality school supply stores. If you visit here, you'll find some great resources and worksheets to help your child supplement the series. (Psst - visit that page for a special discount coupon code good on your order!) Rock N Learn also has a page over on Facebook, where if you follow/like them, you'll be the first to know about new series, and sales and discounts!

Win it! The fabulous folks over at Rock 'N Learn are letting me host a giveaway so that one lucky reader will win the Phonics Volume 1 and Volume 2 set to help their children with reading too! To enter, just visit the Rock 'n Learn website, and tell us which other series you think would help your child(ren) succeed in school too.

As always, you can receive extra entries for:

-Subscribing to my feed OR following my blog
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
Enter to win Rock 'N Learn DVDs http://goo.gl/fb/oSCj1 ends 10/23 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends October 23rd at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US and Canada only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)

I received the DVDs mentioned above in order to view and share our opinions of. One winner will win the same series, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.