A Homeschool Reading Program For Older Struggling Readers
My son read his own birthday cards last week.
I know this may seem like a small thing, but let me explain.
It was his 15th birthday, and this was the very first year he has been able to do it on his own.
If you are a parent of an older struggling reader, you know exactly how much this feels like a win. You know exactly how much struggle, time, and tears went into this simple act.
He read his own birthday cards, and I found myself swelling with pride.

A Homeschool Reading Program For Older Struggling Readers
One of the most challenging parts of homeschooling an older struggling reader, as least for me, has been the “older” part.
When my son turned ten years old, it felt like we had run out of any really good options for helping him learn to read.
“This is for babies!” became an almost daily complaint in our homeschool.
For several years, I began modifying existing curriculum programs, creating my own practice activities, and at one point, even gave up (I am not proud of it, but it is true).
While my son made slow, but sure progress, many of you reached out to me with the very same question I’d been asking all along.
“Is there a homeschool reading program for older struggling readers?”
Please know, although I was compensated for my time in writing this post, I only share resources that are a good fit for my family’s needs. I do this in the hope that they may work for yours as well.
I first learned about PRIDE Reading Program on Instagram. I somehow stumbled across a picture of a teenager, headed to college, despite being severely dyslexic. The post was from his mom – the founder and creator of PRIDE Reading Program.
She knows exactly what it’s like to have a struggling older reader, and she’s created an entire program to help.
PRIDE Reading Program Overview
The PRIDE Reading Program is a sequential reading program with a foundation in the Orton-Gillingham method. It uses multisensory activities in helping learners with reading, writing, and spelling.
Most importantly, the program consists of six levels that allow even older readers to engage. The levels range from Pre-Reading, all the way up to Level 5.
Lessons are scripted, to allow you to best present the material in alignment with the Orton-Gillingham Method. There is also a two hour online parent training, included as part of the program, to fully equip you in teaching your struggling learner to read.
What is the Orton-Gillingham Method?
Orton-Gillingham is an approach that helps children with reading difficulties due to dyslexia, auditory processing, speech deficits and other learning differences. Orton-Gillingham is evidence-based reading instruction and the standard for helping struggling readers.
What are the key components of the Orton-Gillingham Method?
The PRIDE Reading Program incorporates and follows the six key principles of the Orton-Gillingham method.
- Structured: each lesson follows the same pattern and same routine, every time
- Sequential: a learner masters a skill before moving on to the next
- Cumulative: the material builds from one lesson to the next, with plenty of repetition and practice
- Explicit: methods and rule for decoding are taught explicitly
- Multisensory: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning activities are incorporated into every lesson
- Systematic Phonics: a leaner begins at a most basic level and then builds from there in each subsequent lesson and level
A Homeschool Reading Program For Older Struggling Readers
I think PRIDE Reading Program is an excellent choice for older readers. Here’s why –
- The activities and games use dice and general game boards – there were no little, fluffy animals or cartoonish characters in the entire Level 2 book my son worked through late last year.
- The reading passages are topically neutral. For example, “A snake is a reptile,” is a much more appealing practice sentence for a teenage boy than “The girls were playing jacks outside.“
- The level of multi-sensory practice continues through all levels in the program, rather than tapering off as the child learns and progresses. (Older kiddos need multi-sensory learning too!)
- My son didn’t call it babyish once (a ringing endorsement from an expert in trying out new reading programs, to be sure).
Get Started With PRIDE Reading Program for FREE.
PRIDE Reading Program offers a placement check to help you determine which level to select for your learner.
Even better, you can try out the program for free with an introductory Orton-Gillingham course.
Is it too much to ask how Pride compares to All About Reading? All About Reading is by far the best program we have used but we are stuck and not progressing. A new program might be needed.
Thank you.