The Three R's by Ruth Beechick

The Three R's

by Ruth Beechick

Three resources in one READING, WRITING, and ARITHMETIC! Learn how to take the mystery out of teaching the early grades with this practical, down-to-earth guidebook from Ruth Beechick. The book is divided into three sections that are tabbed for easy reference. The READING section tells how and when to begin phonics, and how to develop comprehension skills. The LANGUAGE section shows how to develop written language skills naturally, in the same way children learn oral language. The ARITHMETIC section explains how to teach understanding of math concepts, and not just memorization of facts. A removable 2-sided wall chart for phonics and arithmetic.

Genres: Education, Parenting, Nonfiction, Reference, School, Mathematics

Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Dr. Ruth Beechick spent a lifetime teaching and studying how people learn. She taught in Washington state, Alaska, Arizona and in several colleges and seminaries in other states. She also spent thirteen years at a publishing company writing curriculum for churches. In "retirement" she wrote for the homeschool movement. Her degrees are A.B. from Seattle Pacific University, M.A.Ed. and Ed.D. from Arizona State University.

Reviews

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful read for home educators just starting out. Beechick very practically gives advice on how to home educate children in grades K-3. The main benefit is also the main weakness. She encourages independence apart from curriculum to teach reading, language, and arithmetic. Basically, she says you can teach these subjects without a curriculum. That may be true, but most of us still need more hand-holding, especially our first time around. But at least it may help teachers to break free from the "box" and learn how to feel free to adjust and tweak things to fit their family's needs. Very helpful and interesting, but unless I was going to use it as my manual/scope and sequence (and I'm not--I'd rather have curriculum already thought out for me), I don't think I need it on my shelves; one read was sufficient.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the simple approach to home schooling that Ruth Beechik presents. I read it at a time when we were (I was?) struggling with home schooling. This book encouraged me to try a more relaxed, 'natural' approach. It was something I wanted to do, but didn't know *how* to do... until I read this book. I recommend it to those who think they wouldn't be able to teach their kids.

[Larrullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for homeschooling. Dr. Beechick gives solid reasons for the why and how of her very simple and solid methods. She tells the stages of pre-reading, how to teach at each stage, and gives instructions for low to no cost activities in each...and does the same for every concept in the book. This was the most helpful "how to" book I've read regarding teaching reading. I re-read this every so often just to calm myself back down and be reassured that one does not have to have fancy materials and programs or work insanely hard to be doing enough.

This book is short (three books in one and each is between 30 and 50 pages long). I agree with the style Dr. Beechick advocates...let your child learn at their own pace, don't try to force reading too early, there is no advantage to a grade level curriculum/meeting "national standards", etc. She is very relaxed and practical about how and WHY to teach. This book lacks all reference to Christianity which is strongly present in the author's other works, so it should not bother any reader on that level.

In my opinion, this can easily be the only book/program/curriculum one uses in teaching reading and writing. I don't think the math portion is quite enough to stand alone, and I do like to use a lot of supplemental materials particularly in writing and obviously a child needs their own reading material to practice reading...but for the actual "how do I teach" of reading and writing, this is enough to go on. I also found it funner to read and easier to understand than some of the "programs" and primers that I've tested out.

[Jessica Skaggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me really think outside the box in terms of how to approach teaching the "Three R's." For example, the way the author discusses teaching reading, teaching sounds initially versus just focusing on having your child memorize the letters of the alphabet, was an interesting concept and made sense. This book was a quick, easy to understand manual that gave plenty of explanation, tips, and exercise that could be utilized. Although I read it straight through, I would suggest reading it depending on your child's age and what you will be teaching them.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource that no homeschool teacher should be without. Helped me to get away from trying to keep up with the public schools and their ways and to allow my children to blossom in their education. By ignoring what the public schools do, my children are able to jump ahead even though it's at their own pace. Wonderful resource.

[Megan Triplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this quick read really encouraging! While a lot of it was a bit premature for the current age of our children, I found it to be really insightful and reassuring. There were several smaller sections of "early learning" that were very helpful in deciding what to incorporate into our every day learning.

[Carly]

To read before I start homeschooling my kids someday. If my mother used what she learned from it in my homeschooling, it's gotta be good!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that I will for sure be reading again.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is hard to rate. It has good information, but ultimately I think there are better books and sources out there.

The Three R’s is not a long book, which I think serves it well. It covers a section each on Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. It does a good job of going over what is age appropriate and different activities you can do for that subject and at what age.

Unless you’re gifted with the ability to pull together your own curriculum and lessons though, this book is not going to help you more than being a general guide. You will still have to find curriculum. And that’s ok. This book can reassure you that you’re on the right track when it feels like you’re falling behind or if you need to pause a curriculum because your child needs extra help.

It feels like kids are expected to come out of kindergarten, pre-school even, as little academics, but that’s simply not the case! They really do need to just physically play a lot and interact with things and be read to. And homeschooling the super young grades without strictly following a rigorous curriculum can feel wrong or like not enough. This book is a quick read that can at least help you know that you’re on the right track and provide some extra ideas and activities if you need it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a nice short read about practical ways to include teaching basic reading, writing, and arithmetic in daily life so your young children can learn as they go. I read it because I am considering homeschooling for second grade, but I think this book would be a more useful read when your child is around age three, then referenced again as needed. It seemed more like guide on how to aid the learning of your child rather than a book specifically for parents planning to home school their child. I noticed that I had unknowingly used some of the methods in the book with my older child. I am challenged to be mindful to use these techniques again with my younger preschool aged child.

[Sherril Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, true and everything you need to begin an academic education in a young child’s life. Parents are a child’s first teacher and if they love their child and are interested in educating them, there is no reason they couldn’t begin. The basic foundation of a life of learning can begin with these simple but important building blocks.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a useful and quick read for this homeschooling mama. I really like the down to earth, laid back approaches to schooling your children. I feel like I need more laid out curricula than is offered here; however, I think the ideas presented here are great stress and anxiety reducers, especially for a newbie to the world.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of great ideas in this book! I’d recommend it for parents who want to homeschool, though there are insights other teachers of pre-K to 3rd graders could benefit from. The writing style itself was a bit dry, but I think this book will encourage those who think they can’t teach their children the three R’s - reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic. :)

[Sara Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thin book that helps the educator to understand how simple and fun teaching and learning can be with practical application along the way- I bought this book by way of Sally Clarkson’s recommendation, and between this and For the Children’s Sake, I gained confidence in educating my own children and finding huge relief in how simple and fun it could be.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to have on hand if you have children and want to help them get a good start in learning. She has helpful suggestions for teaching on a budget. A parent could easily follow her suggestions and invest very little money in homeschooling, especially in the early years.

[Kim Pyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I was given when I started asking friends about homeschooling, and it was a great place to start. Reading The Three R's and For the Children's Sake before I really started was really helpful.

[Kiersti Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great ideas! Easy read. I first got it from my library and now have purchased it. It only goes up through third grade, but that covers the time period that you want to get a solid foundation in reading, writing, and math.

[Tracy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read when beginning to homeschool your little ones!! She gives plenty of helpful ideas that are easy to implement, and I think everyone with children in the K-3rd window would find plenty of gems in here to make it worth your time to read.

[CK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did wonders for us. I am fortunate enough to know this just right before our child started primary education.

It was right after the pandemic started and we had decided to homeschool our child. This helped us teach our kid to start reading and comprehension.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was a quick easy read and full of practical advice to parents in training young kids at home. While a lot wasn’t new, there were definitely great ideas that I want to implement with my children. Highly recommend!!!

[Sarah Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was told this was THE book to read for homeschooling. If you have a preschooler or kindergarten child, it is a fantastic self-esteem booster that you can achieve success homeschooling. It has very clear, easy to use practical ideas and makes teaching seem like great fun.

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information on how to get started with homeschooling young children in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must buy. So helpful, insightful and encouraging. Practical advice for homeschoolers, and perhaps school teachers.

[Rheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed and practical resource for homeschooling moms!

[Selina Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for any homeschool parent. Helps to simplify all the complexity of homeschool.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Will reference regularly.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book every few years to remind me to keep things simple in my homeschool. It does help with that. However, I don’t find this book that engaging.

[Ailsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book. Very helpful and encouraging.

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent book. It’s short and to the point. A no frills and few anecdotes book on elementary ed.

[Rebecca Tredway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful resource for the starting years of education. I’m trained in middle school teaching so I missed this type of info in school.