Any homeschoolers have good letter recognition/phonics resources?

[cookderosa]

I have 4 sons. For 2 of them, reading came very easy. For 1, it came normally, and for our youngest, it's sooo hard. He's turning 9 and is at about a first grade reading level but a very bright child. Same situation as yours- verbal info he's a rock star. Written, numbers and letters, it's a code that's hard to decipher. He still mixes up b and d, and well, you know how it goes. That said, what do you do? Read anyway. If it's dyslexia? Read anyway. If it's something else? Read anyway. At the end of it all, you just keep going.
There is a great little program I found last year, and we are really making excellent progress with, it's called Reading A-Z. Reading A-Z: The online leveled reading program with downloadable books to print and assemble It's $90 per year and can be done on the computer or you can print stuff off. I like having the option since I tend to like to do both. We are following the "leveled reading" and started at the beginning AA and will go all the way to Z, which I think will be multiple years for us. The Z level is around 6th grade-ish. After 1 school year we are in E. He really likes it (and by that I mean it doesn't make him too frustrated and it is interesting). What I like about this program is that the early books use TONS of picture cues and predictable words. Yes, they can still get tripped up (sometimes I have to tell my son to read the words not the pictures, but i will tell you, this is the first program that we made any advances with- and these little successes are ENCOURAGING!) This was the first time he could "read" and we are doing great. We also have a LeapFrog TAG which I like okay. It's a pen that reads the words on TAG book pages. It's fine, but didn't make strides like A-Z did.
There are so many reading programs/curriculums out there, tons, too many to mention. I'm sure you'll get tons of great suggestions.
I never advocate for homeschooling, never. I always feel like that's a huge decision and parents need to make it without confusion and influence by others. That said, if my Jamie were in school, he'd be getting resources and a label. Would he be a better reader by now? I doubt it. I work with him EVERY day, and I care more than any stranger. I will be sure he's a good reader, and I will be sure he's capable of doing what's necessary in this world, and that will come from my 100% commitment to his success. If that means we're reading elementary books through 12th grade, then we will be. Every day. I'd be far more likely to turn over one of my average kids to a teacher than one that REALLY needs help. You have more control over the situation from home, and you can always bring in additional help. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to pull him out, but I am highly motivated. YOU would have to be highly motivated. People who tell you homeschooling is easy, well, let's just say I think we might define things differently. Homeschooling is hard. Teaching reading can be hard. And working on your child's education every day is hard. It's just hard. HOWEVER, you can do it if you're motivated and dedicated.

P.S. I'm sure people will also tell you boys read later, blah blah. Don't let that dissuade your intuition. Follow your instincts. Your library probably has the book Better Late than Early which will make you feel better. Where there's research, there's conflicting research. Keep chuggin' you know your own child's struggles better than anyone.