All About Reading is a phonics program designed for homeschooling. It uses a multisensory approach to make learning to read engaging and effective, especially for kids who struggle.
Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is All About Reading?
All About Reading (AAR) is a colorful, scripted reading program from All About Learning Press. It helps kids learn phonics with a hands-on approach. The program was created by Marie Rippel, who wanted to help her dyslexic son read. AAR breaks reading into simple steps using letter tiles, flashcards, and activities. It’s based on the idea that 97% of English words can be learned phonetically. You only need about 20 minutes each day for lessons, and the teacher's manual has everything you need—no prior teaching experience required.
Program levels
AAR has a Pre-Reading Program for preschool and kindergarten. This covers the 'Big Five Skills,' like print awareness and letter knowledge. Levels 1 through 4 get more complex. Level 1 focuses on basic decoding, while Level 4 dives into advanced comprehension. Kids don’t have to match their grade to a level. A third grader who struggles might start at Level 1, while a bright first grader could begin at Level 2. You can find the right level for your child with placement tests on the website.
What makes it unique
AAR is different from many programs because it uses multiple senses. Kids move letter tiles to build words while saying sounds out loud. This multisensory method helps learning stick—especially for kids who find traditional teaching hard. The scripted lessons take the guesswork away for parents. You just read the manual and follow along. Each lesson has built-in reviews, games, and activities to keep younger kids engaged without feeling like they’re doing drills.
Cost considerations
The Pre-Reading level costs $119.95. Levels 1-4 are $159.95 each. This price includes the teacher manual, student materials, readers, and all manipulatives. A great bonus is that most items can be reused for younger siblings, lowering costs for bigger families. If you’re on a budget, you can often find gently used sets in curriculum marketplaces.
The bottom line
All About Reading is one of the best phonics programs for homeschoolers, especially for kids with dyslexia or reading challenges. Its multisensory, scripted approach makes teaching easier for parents. Keep in mind, it does require daily one-on-one time with your child, so it’s not an independent program. But if you can set aside those 20 minutes a day, AAR will help build a strong reading foundation.
