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My dd is 7 years old and is finishing up R&S 1st grade phonics. She is a good reader, but I want her to do R&S 2nd grade phonics to make sure she really has it down. I think I would consider her an emerging reader, because when she does read books independently, she tells me that she is skipping some words that she doesn't know (though if she takes her time, she does have enough phonics skills to sound most of them out, but when she is reading for fun I'm not pushing that).

If I were to go with HOD I'd want LHFHG for my 4/5 year olds, so I'd want to put dd in Bigger (I want a year space in between repeating programs). I think she is ready for it, except for the "done with phonics" part of the placement chart. She is going to be using R&S English 2 regardless, plus she's ready to learn cursive. She loves copywork type stuff. So, I believe she is ready for Bigger. Anyone use Bigger but still have their child doing phonics too?

I wanted to add: if my dd needs to be reading more independently to use Bigger, I could put her in Beyond and put the 5.5 year old in with her in that. But then the following year ds would be doing the 2nd grade R&S phonics while doing Bigger with big sister, so I guess the same question still applies!

sharonb wrote:My dd is 7 years old and is finishing up R&S 1st grade phonics. She is a good reader, but I want her to do R&S 2nd grade phonics to make sure she really has it down. I think I would consider her an emerging reader, because when she does read books independently, she tells me that she is skipping some words that she doesn't know (though if she takes her time, she does have enough phonics skills to sound most of them out, but when she is reading for fun I'm not pushing that).

If I were to go with HOD I'd want LHFHG for my 4/5 year olds, so I'd want to put dd in Bigger (I want a year space in between repeating programs). I think she is ready for it, except for the "done with phonics" part of the placement chart. She is going to be using R&S English 2 regardless, plus she's ready to learn cursive. She loves copywork type stuff. So, I believe she is ready for Bigger. Anyone use Bigger but still have their child doing phonics too?

Sharon,
I think your 7 yo could do Bigger Hearts along with finishing out her R & S 2nd Grade phonics because it sounds like she's ready for the cursive, copywork, R & S English 2, spelling or dictation, notebooking, etc. parts of Bigger Hearts. By the time she does PHFHG though, the science is independent for her - so she'd need to be able to read the science books on her own. Same with the independent history study box in PHFHG, and also the Bible Study box on Day 3 and 4 of the plans. I do think it will be fine for this year. But looking ahead, you may want to either do BHFHG half-speed, doing the left side of the plans one day, and the right side of the plans the next day. Or, you may want to go half-speed with PHFHG when you get to that. She's just on the young side of the HOD guides. If her reading comes along well - and it really sounds like it is - she may be able to be both full-speed anyway. One last thought, you could do BHFHG as a 4-day plan, taking more like 44 weeks to finish it or so, instead of the 36 weeks.

I totally get that you'd like a year between guides - we have that setup, and I've loved it! Our dc are on the young side of the guides as well. It's been going great, but I have opted for the half-speed option when it seems like they're not quite ready for the next thing. That always makes the transition go well, so it's just nice to have that idea in your back pocket as a Plan B in case it's needed. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

We use 4-day weeks anyway, and school year-round, so we try to stretch things to last a full year anyway (with taking off some time for holidays and vacations).

Sounds good! If your daughter places into Bigger Hearts except for the "done with phonics" part, then you should be fine with her in Bigger Hearts. I probably should rephrase the "done with phonics" part on the chart, as it means different things to different people.

If your daughter is at the emerging reader's stage or beyond, she should be fine. You can easily continue your Rod and Staff phonics to complete it along with the Emerging Reader's Set.

My3sons gave great suggestions for how to ease into Bigger if needed.

Blessings,
Carrie