The program relies a great deal on many workbooks. The series has a stand-alone phonemic awareness kit. However, it does not teach blending. Kindergarten is strong in letter naming. The program moves fast.
First grade has lots of opportunity for blending.
Instruction is good and systematic giving lots of examples. The kindergarten program is developmentally appropriate in that it teaches letters and sounds at kindergarten, and phonemic awareness without expecting kindergarten students to learn to decode until they are ready. It teaches initial and final consonants. Decodable texts are available as both blackline masters and as additional color materials. Pre-decodable materials rely on rebus symbols.