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I hope this isn't a silly topic, but I was curious: if a child seems like they will be ready for the emerging readers, but it is partway through a guide (in this case Beyond), should we wait until the next guide (Bigger), or start the Emerging Readers with the current guide? Would you begin from the first book even if we are half way through the units? I suppose we will be continuing phonics instruction as well, so perhaps that will make our school day too long. Thank you.

You can start at anytime. Always start with the first ER book as they progressively get harder. My oldest started half way through LHFHG, alternating the books with phonics until she was ready to do both (and then just the ER books by the time she started Beyond). My second started near the end of Beyond, when he was done with phonics and finally reading somewhat fluently. He is now slowly starting Bigger and reading The Beginner's Bible (I chose to do both Bibles with him).

Hooray for your little one reading so well! As StephanieU said so well already, the ERS can be started at anytime. With our son, who was exactly like your student in regard to finishing phonics and being ready to start the ERS mid-Beyond, we started and loved it! I think it's important to keep the ball rolling with reading, and if your little one is ready to start the ERS, I would start it now. Be sure to do the oral comprehension questions alongside the daily readings, as noted in your guide's Appendix. They are excellent prep for the next step in reading, which after the ERS will be DITHOR 2/3! Enjoy that ERS - it is such a joy to see our little ones taking off in reading, and that set is just pure fun to read!

In Christ,
Julie