Well-Trained Mind Press

The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

Word-for-word scripted phonics lessons for parents.

Grades
PreK-3 (through a fourth-grade reading level)
Faith
Not stated
Format
Print, Workbooks, PDF download, Open-and-go teacher guide
Who teaches
Parent-taught
Price
Varies; see the facts below

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What it is

A scripted phonics program by Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington that teaches all 72 phonograms, from short vowels up to long multi-syllable words, and takes a child to about a fourth-grade reading level. The revised edition has 231 lessons split into an instructor book and a separate student book for each child, whose pages build from single letters to full sentences and paragraphs. It is sold in paperback and PDF, and an optional audio companion is also available.

Written by the Homebuilt team from the publisher’s own materials, checked September 2026. Prices and editions change, so confirm with the publisher. Learn more: Well-Trained Mind Press: Instructor Book · Well-Trained Mind Press: Student Book · Well-Trained Mind support: about the revised edition

Grades
PreK-3 (through a fourth-grade reading level)
Faith
Not stated
Format
Print, Workbooks, PDF download, Open-and-go teacher guide
Prep for the parent
Open-and-go
Who teaches
Parent-taught
Price
Instructor Book $27.16–$32.26 plus a Student Book for each child $18.66–$24.61 (sale prices, paperback or PDF; Sept 2026).
Subjects
Reading, Spelling
Style
Classical