All About Reading (AAR) is a comprehensive, Orton-Gillingham-based reading curriculum that uses multisensory teaching methods to help children learn to read through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.
What is All About Reading?
All About Reading is a full-color, scripted reading program from All About Learning Press that teaches phonics through a multisensory approach. Created by Marie Rippel after struggling to help her dyslexic son learn to read, AAR breaks down reading into manageable steps using letter tiles, flashcards, and hands-on activities. The program operates on the principle that 97% of English words can be learned phonetically. Lessons take about 20 minutes daily and require no teaching experience—everything parents need is scripted in the teacher's manual.
Key Takeaways
- Uses Orton-Gillingham methodology proven effective for struggling readers and students with dyslexia
- Covers all five components of reading: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
- Mastery-based progression lets students move at their own pace rather than following grade levels
- Includes physical letter tiles (or app), flashcards, readers, and activity books
- Offers a one-year money-back guarantee and lifetime customer support
Program Levels
AAR offers a Pre-Reading Program for preschool through kindergarten, covering the foundational "Big Five Skills" like print awareness and letter knowledge. Levels 1 through 4 progress through increasingly complex phonics concepts—from basic decoding in Level 1 to advanced comprehension strategies in Level 4. Students don't need to match their chronological grade to a level. A child struggling with reading in third grade might start at Level 1, while an advanced first-grader could begin at Level 2. Placement tests on the website help families find the right starting point.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike programs that rely primarily on workbooks, AAR engages multiple senses simultaneously. Students physically move letter tiles to build words while saying sounds aloud. This multisensory engagement helps concepts stick, particularly for children who struggle with traditional instruction. The scripted lessons eliminate guesswork for parents—you simply read the teacher's manual and follow along. Each lesson includes built-in review, games, and activities that keep younger children engaged without feeling like drill work.
Cost Considerations
The Pre-Reading level runs $119.95, while Levels 1-4 cost $159.95 each. That investment covers the teacher manual, student materials, readers, and all manipulatives. The significant upside: everything except workbooks and stickers can be reused for younger siblings, making the per-student cost much lower for larger families. For families on tighter budgets, used curriculum marketplaces often have gently used sets available.
The Bottom Line
All About Reading stands out as one of the most effective phonics programs available for homeschoolers, particularly those teaching children with dyslexia or reading difficulties. The scripted, multisensory approach removes the burden from parents while providing research-backed instruction. It does require daily one-on-one time with your child—this isn't an independent program. But for families willing to invest those 20 minutes daily, AAR builds a rock-solid reading foundation.
