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My dd is almost done with 1st grade and learned to read when she was 4 using 100 EZ Lessons. We will be doing Beyond and I wanted to know how I know if she is an emerging reader or independent reader? Also, doesn't she need more phonics for the harder suffixes and prefixes etc? I was thinking of R&S phonics 2nd grade and their spelling before learning about HOD, because I thought she needed to know how to spell by rules and phonics. How does HOD cover spelling and where will she learn harder phonics and rules (she can read well, but doesn't know the rules for spelling) And does everyone think Grade 2 R&S should be used for 3rd graders and so on? Because dd would be in 2nd grade work for Beyond. Is Beyond cover enough for 2nd graders without a text and I just wait until Bigger to do R&S 2nd grade when dd is in 3rd grade? Sorry is if this sounds confusing- I'm a little confused as I want to keep dd right on track and not go backwards.

Julie

Julie,
You have great questions!
I am sure Carrie and My3sons (Julie) will give your their great explanantions...
I don't have time now- but I wanted you to know that I want to chime in on this thread- and especially your other one about why choosing HOD over ACE or something else...
So- until later...
Be blessed,
Rebecca

I may not be a lot of help, but I can explain one thing, I think. Since HOD uses a Charlote Mason approach, it is more laid back, or delayed, in some areas. It is a 'lighter' approach, so with grammar (as you probably know) it is only covered 1 day per week in Beyond...with spelling on the other 4 days. Once you get to Bigger...R&S 2 is recommended. That is what my daughter is using this year with Bigger (3rd grade) and she's doing well. However, if you feel your daughter is ready for grammar, you could always add R&S 2...and just be ahead a level in L.A. It would still work fine...you just wouldn't be using the schedule that's in Bigger when you get there, you'd have to create your own. My ds 10 is using Bigger with us this year, along with the extension pack. He is in a different level for English and I had to create my own schedule...it hasn't been too difficult.

I wanted to say that you can adjust HOD to fit the needs of your child!
You can use any LA program that you feel meets your needs! I know that others better than I will chime in with more knowledge about this...
I would think that your child is an independent reader if she can read the types of books listed in the DITHOR 2/3 pack without trouble? I could be wrong about this...but that is the level after the emerging reader schedule- so that is what I would assume.
I consider my dc independent readers when they can pick up a book of their choice or mine and read it fluently. I mean, a whole book- not a leveled reader.

I do not think that children need to learn advanced phonics to spell- but that is my personal opinion- again others more knowledgeable will chime in...

CM approach teaches spelling through dictation. This is how HOD teaches it as well.

I would keep your child progressing ahead at whatever level she is...

My oldest son is using Rod and Staff three this year with Bigger. It is a perfect fit for him. I am also using a different dictation source for him. This doesn't concern me one bit. I adjust for him...and HOD makes it easy to do that!
However, my second son will go into Rod and Staff 2 next year and use Bigger's dictation as that will be a perfect fit for him. (He will be technically third grade next year but he is young for his school year). At first I attempted to use the dictation with him this year after he complained that the second level spelling was too easy. That was short-lived... and now we are back to the spelling lists! He is not an independent reader yet- and that is probably why the dictation was just a little too difficult.

Anyway,
just my few small thoughts.
Hope it helps while you wait a more thorough answer!
Rebecca

Okay, this all helps. The last question though is about phonics. She (almost 7 yrs old) already knows how to read at about a level 3 so it appears she will go onto DITHOR 2/3 instead of emerging reader? Do I use any phonics with her for the rules part of harder suffixes etc ? Or do you think I can skip phonics and what is covered in Beyond will be good enough since she knows how to read so well?

Thank you,
Julie

We've not gotten very far yet into our English books, but I would think things like suffuxes, prefixes, etc. would be covered in the English lessons. So, when ever you get to R&S, whether you order it now or wait until later, it should be included. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I would say if she's reading at a level 3, she's probably fine to move on into level 2/3 of DITHOR...she will still read aloud to you at this point, so you will be able to help/correct as needed. HTH

Julie,

The ladies are doing a great job of answering your questions! Aren't the ladies on this board simply wonderful!?!

I'll just pop-in to say that if your little sweetie can read level 3 readers, you could either go right into Drawn into the Heart, or you could do the last half of the Emerging Reader Set and then move into DITHR in 4-5 months. Here is the link to the Emerging Reader Set (where you could start with Buffalo Bill and then follow the daily schedule with questions in the Appendix of Beyond) :http://www.heartofdakota.com/emerging-reader.php

Here is the link to the Level 2 books in DITHR, so you can compare them with the Emerging Reader Set above:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-optional2.php

As far as prefixes and suffixes go, these are covered in Rod and Staff English 2 (used in Bigger) just as the ladies mentioned in this thread, so you don't have to cover those through phonics. The basic spelling rules are covered through the spelling word lists in Beyond and Bigger.

If you felt your little sweetie needed to "finish" phonics instruction, you could easily add on an Explode the Code workbook or two or something like Modern Curriculum Press Plaid phonics for grade 2 while doing the Emerging Reader Set or DITHR.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks Carrie! That really cleared everything up.

Julie