Explode the Code

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mommy0908
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:39 pm
Location: South Carolina

Explode the Code

Post by mommy0908 » Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:11 pm

I've been using the Explode the Code series with my 4 yr old. Actually I believe it's called Before Explode the Code. Anyway, would you consider this the same as the writing program used with HOD? I've never seen Italics or the other one to compare but I didn't want to switch what we're doing if it's working. I guess my question is if anyone has used ETC for handwriting and found it successful and complete?
thank you!
Mom of two boys 5 and 2 1/2 and a baby on the way!

thehergatts
Posts: 32
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:37 am
Location: Ohio
Contact:

Re: Explode the Code

Post by thehergatts » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:21 pm

Sorry, I can't help you because I don't know the answer! Do you like it? Does it seem to be working well for your dc? Just curious about what is working for others.
Kristy
- wife to Dan
- mom to Sammy age 9 & Ian age 7

Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. - Christopher Robin

gracelikerain
Posts: 199
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:49 pm
Location: NY

Re: Explode the Code

Post by gracelikerain » Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:59 pm

I like explode the code.....I believe it is a phonics program not a "writing" program. Get ready for the code is the first one, then there is Get set for the code, then Go for the code then the other books.

Sorry, if i wasn't of much help......
Georgette~
Isaiah 54:13
Blessed with 5 awesome gifts from God!
Trail Blazing 4 HIM!
dd-12-CTC
dd-9-Preparing
ds-6-LHFHG
dd-3-tagging along & keeping life real fun!
ds-5 months

crlacey
Posts: 630
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:13 pm
Location: NC

Re: Explode the Code

Post by crlacey » Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:39 am

We use Explode the Code, but as a previous poster mentioned, it is a phonics program and not a handwriting program. I know the Before the Code does teach you how to write your letters, but the formal writing in the regular phonics books is minimal. We use ETC books for phonics and A Reason for Handwriting A as our handwriting program.
Crystal
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC

Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH

mommy0908
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:39 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: Explode the Code

Post by mommy0908 » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:34 pm

Thanks...all you've said makes sense. I am using the 3 books prior to Explode the Code and it does do a lot of handwriting and I guess that is where my confusion was from. I love the books and my ds doesn't mind them at all. He's a wiggly one but will sit and do at least 3 to 4 pages in the book at a time. The phonics part is what's easiest for him but the handwriting he struggles. He can write most of his letters but has a hard time staying in the lines. Especially with lower case. He will write a lower case as if he was writing an upper case letter. So that's our struggle at the moment.
Mom of two boys 5 and 2 1/2 and a baby on the way!

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Explode the Code

Post by my3sons » Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:11 pm

I think doing "A Reason for Handwriting K" will help your ds with writing on the lines. It's a super short, easy program to do, and both of our ds's enjoyed it so much! We did Explode the Code 1 and 2 along with it. I just let my ds choose 1-4 pages of ETC to do each day. He loved both "A Reason for ... K" and ETC, but I know he needed "A Reason for... K" to learn to write properly on the lines. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie :D
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Re: Explode the Code

Post by spidermansmum » Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:31 pm

We started off using explode the code[we used booka 1 and 1.5]We gave up because we found the level of writing required was getting too much for my DS and it was getting a bit repetitive.
HOD is great because it allows you to select your own phonics program or even as we did -change the phonics program if it s not working for your child
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

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