ABC See, Hear, Do Series

Name: ABC See, Hear, Do Series
Brand: Playful Learning Presshttps://www.abcseeheardo.com/

by Playful Learning Presshttps://www.abcseeheardo.com/

ElaGrades Pre-K–1

About This Curriculum

A multisensory phonics program that combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles to teach reading through colorful animal characters, hand motions, and systematic phonics instruction.

What makes it unique: Unique method combining visual animal characters, physical hand motions, and sounds to teach letter recognition and reading through multisensory engagement, often helping children read words after learning just a few letters.

ABC See, Hear, Do Series: Multisensory Phonics Program for Early Readers

ABC See, Hear, Do Series is a systematic phonics program for Pre-K through Grade 1 that uses colorful animal characters, hand motions, and multisensory techniques to teach letter sounds and beginning reading skills. The curriculum progresses through seven levels from uppercase letters to irregular sounds, incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning approaches.

Best for

Homeschooling families and early childhood educators seeking a structured, multisensory phonics program for Pre-K through Grade 1 students who benefit from kinesthetic learning approaches and systematic decoding instruction.

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 3 concerns · 3 neutral

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum facilitates direct, explicit instruction with clear teacher guidance for presenting letter sounds, hand motions, and systematic skill progression. The structured approach supports explicit teaching methods.

The review describes specific teaching instructions like 'The parent or teacher is to pronounce the sound of the letter rather than its name' and detailed presentation methods

Systematic PhonicsStrength

The program provides highly systematic phonics instruction, progressing logically from uppercase letters to lowercase letters, then through blended sounds, long vowels, sight words, and irregular sounds. Each level builds systematically on previous learning.

The review details the seven-level progression: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, blended beginning sounds, blended ending sounds, long vowels, sight words, and irregular sounds

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsStrength

The curriculum includes simple readers at each level that use only previously taught words, allowing for complete text reading practice. These readers progress from single words like 'Cat sits' to full sentences by level five.

The review mentions 'full-color, 31-page readers use only words students have been taught at each level so that children can practice reading independently'

Knowledge RichConcern

This is primarily a phonics-focused program without systematic domain knowledge building across content areas. The curriculum centers on decoding skills rather than building background knowledge in science, history, or literature.

The review describes teaching letter sounds, phonograms, and sight words through animal characters, but mentions no content-area knowledge building

Teacher TrainingConcern

A Curriculum & Activity Guide is available for Level 1 with lesson plans, activities, and implementation guidance, but comprehensive teacher training materials appear limited across all levels.

The review mentions 'A Curriculum & Activity Guide is available for only Level 1' with 'weekly lesson plans' and 'three pages telling how to use the curriculum'

Vocabulary BuildingConcern

Vocabulary instruction appears limited to basic decoding practice with simple words rather than explicit vocabulary development. The focus is on reading mechanics rather than word meaning or rich vocabulary.

The review mentions teaching words like 'cat,' 'mat,' 'blot,' and 'scab' but describes no vocabulary instruction beyond basic word recognition

Text ComplexityNeutral

Text complexity is appropriately controlled for beginning readers, starting with simple CVC words and gradually building to more complex phonetic patterns. However, complexity appears limited to decoding rather than conceptual sophistication.

The review shows progression from 'Cat sits' in early readers to 'at least one or two sentences for each illustration' by level five

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The program includes flashcards and practice word lists that could support retrieval practice, and the consistent use of animal character cues throughout levels provides spaced review of letter sounds.

The review mentions 'flashcards for the first two levels' and 'lists of words for practice, with 48 words per page' plus consistent animal imagery throughout levels

Writing InstructionNeutral

Optional writing practice books are available that mirror the instructional content, helping children learn to print letters, words, and eventually sentences. However, this appears to focus on handwriting rather than composition.

The review states 'ABC See, Hear, Do: Writing Practice books help children learn to print' and that they 'gradually teaching how to write words and then sentences'

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com