pinwheels: a review
Pinwheels is a gentle but comprehensive early literacy program by Rooted in Language. It consists of 4 levels divided into “year 1” and “year 2.” That said, many families adjust the pacing. It covers phonics, spelling, word study, writing, and grammar — this means you would not need to add a program for spelling, writing, or grammar until after you complete the Pinwheels program. Pinwheels is a digital product and requires printing materials and preparing all of your materials. While they provide incredibly detailed instructions for preparing your materials, some families prefer a more open and go program. I have a detailed review of Pinwheels Year 1 on YouTube. I also have a side-by-side comparison of Pinwheels, All About Reading, and Logic of English Foundations here.
Pinwheels may be a great fit if:
You want a gentle approach to reading instruction
You are beginning reading instruction “early” (4.5-5.5ish)
You want a comprehensive literacy program
You have the time and energy to prep materials (I walk through Pinwheels prep in my Pinwheels highlight on Instagram).
You suspect your child might have dyslexia or has struggled with another reading program
You want a scripted program with all the steps laid out for you
Pinwheels may not be the right choice if:
You want an open-and-go program with minimal prep
Your child is already reading some, and you just need a program to ensure you don’t have gaps
You have a tight budget for reading curriculum
Program Components and Cost:
Pinwheels Year 1 is $129 for the digital curriculum. This cost includes Levels 1 and 2 and the following digital materials: teacher guides, student workbooks, decodable readers, fluency sheets, and additional resources.
Pinwheels Year 2 is $129 for the digital curriculum. This cost includes Levels 3 and 4 and related materials. While listed as Year 2, I find this level tends to take 1-2 years for a typical learner to complete.
Rooted in Language has a printing partner, Making Family Count. They will print and prepare all the materials for you without you having to upload files. Their printing costs range from $125-$300 per level. Their printing quality is great, and a nice option if you are overwhelmed by all the moving pieces. However, I highly recommend an Epson Ecotank printer. Pinwheels includes very detailed printing directions, and if you have an Ecotank printer, it’s a very cost-effective solution.
