THE RANGER READ PROGRAM
Ranger Read is a phonics-based reading program that engages all the senses, enhancing memory retention and experiential learning. Unlike device-led methods, it incorporates touch, movement, sound, and play to support reading and spelling development.
Set in the Alphabet Wildlife Park, the program follows Ranger Read as he helps animals (consonants) and shopkeeper owls (vowels) prepare for a festival. Through fun, interactive activities, children build foundational literacy skills while enjoying an unfolding story.
For children under two, the experience includes meeting vowel puppets, playing hide and seek, matching games, and sensory activities like smelling and tasting food. Older children engage in storytelling, movement, and hands-on word-building exercises that foster a love for language.
Ranger Read also empowers parents, grandparents, and carers with "learning bites"—mini sensory activities that turn everyday moments into playful learning experiences. Literacy learning extends beyond dedicated lessons, sneaking into snack time, bath time, or even silly play—like pretending to be cows after mowing the lawn ("mmmm" like a mower, "moooo" like a cow).
By embedding phonics principles into engaging storytelling and imaginative play, Ranger Read makes learning joyful and memorable. Adults are encouraged to jump into their child’s world—roaring like lions, waddling like penguins, and acting out silly sounds—creating lifelong learning through shared adventures.
For more information about the courses, visit: www.rangerread.com
Overview of Courses Offered (see details below)
Courses for toddlers and preschoolers
- Course 1: Appropriate for toddlers under two years of age.
- Course 2: Appropriate for toddlers two to three years of age.
- Course 3: Appropriate for preschoolers three to four years of age.
- Course 4: Ranger Read Cracks the Codes
- Course 5: The ‘unique’ sounds.
Specialised courses
- A. Kindergarten and Year 1 preparation.
- B. Gifted and talented.
- C. Support for Students facing school challenges.
For more information about the program visit: www.rangerread.com
Timetable
Class 1, pilot program:
Focus - See details regarding course 1
6-week course
Ages Under 2 years
Starts: Tuesday, March 11
Time: 9:30-11:00 am
Cost: Free
Class 2, pilot program:
Focus - See details regarding course 2
6-week course
Ages 2+-4 years
Starts: Tuesday, March 11
Time: 11.00 am-12:30 pm
Cost: Free
Class 3, Prep for Preschool / daycare
Focus - See details regarding courses 2 & 5
6-week course
Ages 3+-5 years
Starts: Thursday, March 13
Time: 11.00 am-12:30 pm
Cost $100, discounted from $120, as the first session is free
Pro-rata rates if you join the class later in the term
Other classes
A. Reading rules the exceptions: (dates and costs to be determined)
B. The ‘unique’ sounds: (dates and costs tobe determined)
Additional points
- 6-week courses
- You can start a class at anytime
- Pro-rata rates if you join the class later in the term
- The first session is free
- Pause for school holidays- resuming the next term
For tailored programs, play groups or group bookings, call 0423 201 962 or visit: www.rangerread.com
THE NITTY GRITTY
Specialised courses
A. Kindergarten and Year 1 preparation program
Appropriate for students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and toddlers enrolled for kindergarten in the following year.
Includes elements from Courses 1- 4.
B. Gifted and talented program
Appropriate for all preschoolers and students up to six years of age.
Includes elements from Courses 1- 5.
C. Support for Students Facing School Challenges program
Appropriate for students in Years 1-3.
Includes elements from Courses 1- 5.
Courses for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers Course 1: For toddlers under two years of age.
- Ranger Read introduces the 26 letters of the alphabet.
- He divides them into consonants (animals) and vowels (owls).
- Each letter (animal) is introduced using their main sound first, using their sound rather than the name of the letter.
- Ranger Read gives learners one of the Ranger Read large cards with an animal and letter on one side.
- He calls specific toddlers/letters to the front of the class, on the jungle stage to make the appropriate sound.
Course 2: Appropriate for toddlers two to three years of age.
Course 3: Appropriate for preschoolers three to four years of age.
Course 3: Appropriate for preschoolers three to four years of age.
The story-based lessons classes focus on the sounds of short vowel sounds, and their interaction with consonants to make simple words.
- The vowels (owls). are special and can make one short and one long sound.
- Ranger Read story:
- The animals (letters) together with the owls make words.
- Ranger Read asks the toddlers or careers to say these sounds quickly. For example, ‘t, ‘a’, ‘p’ becomes ‘tap’ rather than ‘pat’.
- Ranger Read story:
Course 3: Appropriate for preschoolers three to four years of age.
Course 3: Appropriate for preschoolers three to four years of age.
Course 3: Appropriate for preschoolers three to four years of age.
Concentrates on the sounds of the long vowel sounds. Toddlers discover two patterns of letters that make long vowel sounds.
- Pattern 1 - Two vowels (owls) together the first owl makes their long sound.
- Preschoolers will recognise when to make the long sounds focusing on these pairings.
- Example: The long a sound is written using ai as in the word pain.
- Ranger Read pairs each vowel with its “best friend”.
- The first owl makes the long vowel sound while the second owl stays silent with a hand over its mouth, encouraging the first owl to make the long vowel sound.
- Preschoolers will recognise when to make the long sounds focusing on these pairings.
- Pattern 2 – The power of the magic e.
- A vowel followed by one consonant then the magic e makes the first vowel say its long sound.
- Ranger Read calls toddlers/careers representing owls to the jungle stage, followed by an animal and the egg owl.
THE RANGER READ PROGRAM
Course 4: Ranger Read Cracks the Codes
Course 4: Ranger Read Cracks the Codes
Course 4: Ranger Read Cracks the Codes
Learners will recognise that -
- Some consonant letters can make different sounds. Focus on the letters c, g, s, y, and x.
- Some letter combinations start with a silent letter. Focus on the letters wr, ps, ho, and kn.
- The Ranger Read Story: Learners discover that some letters are "scared" to be at the beginning of some words.
- Some pairs of letters might make different consonant sounds. Focus on the letters ph, gh, ho, and kn.
- The Ranger Read Story: Some animals go on holiday and record their sounds for other animals to use in words.
- The letters w and v can change vowel sounds. Focus on the letters wo, wu and ov.
Learners will explore the sight words
Course 5: The ‘unique’ sounds.
Course 4: Ranger Read Cracks the Codes
Course 4: Ranger Read Cracks the Codes
Focus on the sounds – oi, ch, sh, th, ar, air, oo, er, ow and ng.
Learners recognise the combinations of letters that make these "unique" sounds.
- In the Ranger Read Story animals and owls go on a trip and hear unique sounds. The creatures who hear these "unique" sounds visit Ranger Read, who carve a magic coconut for them to blow into.
- When these creatures are together, they do not make their normal sounds.
- For example, when the snake and the hippopotamus stand together, a unique sound sh is made, instead of the usual s and h sounds.