heartofdakota.com

Do you think he'll do ok in Beyond? that's where I think I'll put him next year. He's doing well with phonics, and can read more then he lets on, I think... but I don't want to drag the rest of his education down because of his non-reading, if that makes any sense.
We didn't do HOD with him this year because I wanted to try a more intensive phonics instruction, and, well...we're coming back. enuf said.

And Carrie-are you coming back to Des Moines in June? I sure hope so-my shopping list is almost exclusive to your booth! (and I would rather not pay shipping...)

I think you could make Beyond work for you. Instead of using the emerging reader schedule you can just continue with phonics/reading instruction. If your son begins reading on his own you could always add in some of the books on the reading list. HTH!

Gina

Hi Darci! I agree with Gina, and I think you have a good thought with your comment about not letting his reading level determine his overall learning level. His reading will come, and in the meantime, he'll be glad for all of the other ways you are richly "feeding his mind" in Beyond. We did Beyond... last year, and I know you'll enjoy it! If you begin Beyond..., and you think it's a bit tough, you could always do it 4 days a week and take a bit longer to finish it, or do one side of the plans one day, and the other side of the plans the next day, taking 2 years to do it. We have done this before and been happy with the results.

Darci...I have this same issue. I'm not sure whether to call my ds a non-reader or a no-reading-if-I-can-help-it reader! We're working hard on phonics now, so that hopefully we can use the emerging readers with Beyond. If he's not ready, I'll just keep plugging away at phonics.

On a side note...I can't decide whether to go to the conference in KC or Des Moines...we live right smack dab between these two cities. We used to live in KC and I've been to that conference before, but I'm wondering if the one in Des Moines would be nice for a change of pace.... Can you tell me if it's a fairly large conference?? or give me the website for it??

Darci,

You're right on track with placing your 7 year old in "Beyond..." as long as he fits in the placement chart for that program overall.

We do give the choice of phonics or Emerging Reader Set in the "Beyond...' guide, because that's where we're assuming most kiddos will be who are using "Beyond...". So, he'll actually fit in the "reading" section of the placement chart in "Beyond..." just fine!

Just in case you need it, here's the link to the chart on our website:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Also, we will be at the Des Moines conference in June. We're looking forward to it!

Let us know if you have other questions!

Blessings,
Carrie

Melanie wrote:I'm not sure whether to call my ds a non-reader or a no-reading-if-I-can-help-it reader!

Yeah, he doesn't have nearly the same amount of difficulty with reading the nintendo manuals and such.
Of course, this is the child we refer to as our politician because he can convince anyone to do anything for him, so he usually gets someone to read things TO him!

On a side note...I can't decide whether to go to the conference in KC or Des Moines...we live right smack dab between these two cities. We used to live in KC and I've been to that conference before, but I'm wondering if the one in Des Moines would be nice for a change of pace.... Can you tell me if it's a fairly large conference?? or give me the website for it??

the website is http://www.the-niche.org and I pm'd you, too!