Language Arts: Phonics & Spelling
Handy English Encoder Decoder
Author: Harvey Bluedorn
Publisher: Trivium Pursuit
For more information or to order: www.homeschoolingfromtheheart.com
(We are happy to offer this excellent resource in our catalog!)

If you're working with words, whether in reading or spelling, it doesn't take long to realize that the English language is full of rules - and rule breakers.  Harvey Bluedorn has taken some of the "mystery" out of our language by compiling the Handy English Encoder Decoder - All the Spelling and Phonics Rules You Could Ever Want to Know.

Designed to enhance (not replace) your spelling and phonics program, the Handy English Encoder Decoder cracks the "code" of our language and arranges the rules in an easy to access, brief, and orderly format.  The book is divided into two sections.  The first, the Encoder, covers more than 60 spelling rules and their exceptions and also includes a list of commonly confused spellings and word pairs.  The second section, the Decoder, lists over 200 phonics rules listed in alphabetical order for quick reference.  Also included in this section are the rules for dividing words into syllables.  The Handy English Encoder Decoder also includes an appendix listing some suggested spelling and phonics games, as well as an exhaustive list of homophones (words which are pronounced the same but spelled differently). 

The Handy English Encoder Decoder is one of those books you will find yourself referring to again and again.  Adults and children will both benefit from having this incredibly comprehensive and indeed, "handy" resource at their fingertips!


Making the grade: A
Cost: $9.00
Value for your homeschool dollar: 10
Reviewed by Cindy Prechtel, Editor