Beyond Phonics/Reading and Math help

[journeymom]

Hi. I'm brand new to homeschool. We just started w/ Beyond w/ 6 yr old son. He went to private school for kindergarten where they used Abeka curriculum. We love Beyond but are having a really difficult time w/ the phonics/reading and math. He did great w/ Abeka last year- was able to read everything on that level. However when trying to read The Beginner's Bible for emergent readers, he could not do it. I'm wondering if anyone has ever used Abeka's phonics/reading program w/ HOD? Since I'm new to this, that seems like the easiest way to ensure he's learning what he needs to learn- he would pick up right where he left off last from last year. Also, same ? for math. We're using the Singapore Math 1A and 1B but the first half of the book is way too easy for him. Should I opt to use Abeka math for 1st grade to start off where he left off or would combinging these programs be too confusing for him and/or me? Any thoughts, advice, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks!

[my3sons]

Hi. I'm brand new to homeschool. We just started w/ Beyond w/ 6 yr old son. He went to private school for kindergarten where they used Abeka curriculum. We love Beyond but are having a really difficult time w/ the phonics/reading and math. He did great w/ Abeka last year- was able to read everything on that level. However when trying to read The Beginner's Bible for emergent readers, he could not do it. I'm wondering if anyone has ever used Abeka's phonics/reading program w/ HOD? Since I'm new to this, that seems like the easiest way to ensure he's learning what he needs to learn- he would pick up right where he left off last from last year. Also, same ? for math. We're using the Singapore Math 1A and 1B but the first half of the book is way too easy for him. Should I opt to use Abeka math for 1st grade to start off where he left off or would combinging these programs be too confusing for him and/or me? Any thoughts, advice, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to the HOD board! I'm glad you are enjoying Beyond, and I think that you are wise to reflect on reading/math placement. For phonics, I'd set the ERS aside for one more year. Though it is excellent, it will still be excellent next year when ds is ready for it. It is scheduled both in Beyond and Bigger, and can be done either year. I would do one more year of phonics, either Abeka or another one. Here is some commentary about the phonics programs HOD carries in case that is helpful:
Carrie compares The Reading Lesson and Reading Made Easy
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2503

For math, I'd actually keep going with Singapore as 1B gets quite a bit harder, and this trend (of getting progressively harder) continues each year. I'd actually always rather be on the easy side at the start of Singapore. The hands-on math in Beyond should continue to make the transition to mental math easier as well as making math fun. If you want to though, you could give ds the free singapore math placement test by clicking on the "placement" tab at www.singaporemath.com
If he tests in 1B or 2A, he could start there. It's important not to give any help while dc are doing the test and to actually have them do the test rather than just eyeball it to see what we think they can do (sometimes they know less than we think or we help more than we realize - or that's what I've found).

HTH, and I look forward to sharing our HOD year together here!
In Christ,
Julie