The BOM and Reading Skills

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about teaching reading. It's a topic I'm interested in because Peirce is almost 5 and seems to be demonstrating a number of interests and skills that show that he's ready to take things to the next level. I've heard a lot of people say when they have a child that has really good reading skills that it's because they read the Book of Mormon together. I'm wondering if there's something inherent in the BOM that helps kids develop strongerreading skills - or is it just because they're reading something each day with an adult?? I suppose it would be an interesting study to look at - kids that read every day with an adult versus kids that read the Book of Mormon everyday with an adult versus kids that don't have very strong reading skills. With some learning disabilities any amount of reading each day with an adult isn't going to help (not that it'll hurt) but intervention of a different sort might be required. I guess what I'm really wondering is if there is something 'magic' about the Book or Mormon and emergent readers.

I know from my teaching experience that the best thing for a reading program is a home reading program where parents read with kids every day. I think it's the key to success in getting kids to learn to read.

I did a little surfing on the topic and ran across a reading program put together by Grant Von Harrison. I've seen his manual before - but have never been able to thumb through it as it's always wrapped in plastic. When I saw it I thought it was pretty expensive ($120+) and I'm not likely to spend that much on a reading program unless it looks quite impressive - so I've never bought it. However, looking at the BYU bookstore website I see that it is only $30 now! Hmmm....

I did a little reading around his website. He says:

"After two decades of researching the best methods for teaching reading, and extensive research of the Book of Mormon as a text for learning to read, Dr. Harrison concluded that the Book of Mormon is ideal as a text for learning to read. It provides children with extensive practice with every critical sub-skill of reading; more so than other books and materials. Using the Book of Mormon to teach reading also gives parents the opportunity to teach principles of the gospel and interject feelings about the book. According to Dr. Harrison, if a parent or adult will systematically tutor children when they start school, they should be able to read the Book of Mormon independently by age 8."

For anyone that's been educated in teaching reading that's a bit of a no-brainer...and I'm not sure I totally agree. I don't know if there is a perfect 'text' out there for teaching reading - but instead think the key is exposure to PLENTY of texts.

It does look like a good marketing ploythough! His page that has research basis isn't that deep or impressive - but then again, most parents don't want to get into some deep educational theories so he probably doesn't worry about that. I'd be interested in reading more about his journey in coming to his conclusions.

I'm not a big fan of workbooks - which it appears this is - but then again, sometimes have a systematic approach is quite helpful...and that would be a good thing about his book.
Maybe I just don't have enough faith - but I don't think the Book of Mormon is a cure-all in teaching reading.

Perhaps I should just give it a whirl. He has some free downloads. The big question really is whether or not I'm disciplined enough to take the time to work on this every day with Peirce!