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!

[Candice]

Hi Journeymom, welcome!

I am wondering if you might consider continuing on with phonics lessons for your kiddo's grade 1 year with Beyond, as opposed to moving forward with the Emerging Readers set. I'm thinking that your son received a great start with Abeka phonics on a Kindergarten level but, it is likely that he needs to continue on with phonics instruction through grade 1 to complete that learning to read process. Also, I was just thinking, our local private Christian school that implements Abeka curriculum, teaches phonics through grade 1 so, I think it would be sensible to continue on with phonics for some time longer.

It is certainly up to you whether to go with Abeka again for grade 1 phonics instruction but, may I also suggest considering the HOD recommendations for phonics as well? The recommendations are very user-friendly for mom as they teach the necessary concepts without taking away too much time from your schooling day. Plus, the lessons are short and sweet, allowing kiddos to soak in the necessary concepts without being overwhelmed...something my daughter definitely appreciates. As we start up school again very soon here, I plan to set our timer for 15 minutes each day as we finish working through The Reading Lesson. I think that will get my daughter reading very well and then we will move forward with the Emerging Readers set.

As mentioned, we are currently using The Reading Lesson (one of the recommended choices from HOD) and I have heard great things about Reading Made Easy.
I had planned to move into the Emerging Reader's set with my daughter's grade 1 year but, her phonics instruction has been a little bit more slow-going than anticipated so, we will hang out with phonics until she is good and ready to move forward. I am completely comfortable beginning the Emerging Readers ONLY when she is good and ready...I figure there really is no sense in rushing her foundational reading skills.

As far as math goes, again, the choice is yours. You can opt to use Abeka and continue where he left off or hang in there with Singapore.
I do think that Singapore is a very strong program (I've never used Abeka) even though it can appear to be quite easy in some parts. I have even looked at some of the concepts and thought, wow, my daughter totally knows that but, before I know it a new concept comes along that is totally new for her. I have actually come to really appreciate the balance that I have found with Singapore...some parts are somewhat easy to get through and then we come across some really cool new challenges that make me say, wow, that is some really good, challenging stuff! I can see my daughter's math wheels turning and that means a lot to me. I want her to be gently challenged with math concepts yet, I want her to be able to take a breather through easier material now and then. I know this is just my personal experience with Singapore math but, I know plenty of moms that will tell you that Singapore is outstanding for preparing your kiddo to work those mathy-brain cells!
Another super benefit of going with Singapore is that you are able to utilize Carrie's hands-on math activities that are written within the guide. I like them because I am not very math-minded and I like knowing that I have a helping hand to ensure that the concepts are being taught and practiced properly. That is something very valuable to me. Plus, the activities are very kid/student friendly ensuring that your kiddo is experiencing some joy in math.
I would recommend sticking it out with Singapore for some time, I assure you that you will come to challenging material before you know it. Remember that you are slowly building a very strong foundation in math and reading. No need to rush it, you want it to be strong for the long-haul...I often remind myself of this!

Smiles,
Candice

[momtofive]

Journeymom,

Hello and welcome to HOD! Glad to have you here!

I can relate to what you're saying about your 6 yr. old son. My 6 yr. old daughter is going through just about the same thing right now. We've homeschooled for five years now, and are beginning our sixth year! We started out using Abeka because I wasn't very confident in anything else at that time. Coming from a public school background myself, Abeka was a comfortable place to start. I've since been learning a lot about Charlotte Mason and her methods, and see how this is really a great fit for my children and how they seem to learn best. After much prayer, we found HOD and are thrilled to be using it. It has been an amazing blessing!

So anyway, last year we did Abeka for most subjects and MFW. It was my daughter's kindergarten year. This year I just assumed that she would be doing the emerging readers set because she learned to read doing phonics last year! Well, this year we quickly found out that she isn't quite ready for the emerging readers set afterall! At first I felt discouraged, like I failed her, and she wasn't ready for what I thought she should be doing. But then, after doing a lot of reading on this board, I realized that she just simply wasn't at that level yet. No biggie! So she's working on phonics again this year and is loving it. We are using Phonics Pathways only because I ordered that for extra practice and already had it. Otherwise, I've heard really good things about The Reading Lesson. If I hadn't already had Phonics Pathways in hand, we'd be doing The Reading Lesson with her. I plan on just going at her pace through the phonics instruction and using some early level readers we have here at home, until she's ready for the Emerging Readers Set.

For math, we used Abeka at first, too. This year we're using Christian Light Education's math curriculum. We find it's a great fit for our kids and it transitions over to Saxon 5/4 really well when they reach fourth grade. But that's just our own family preference. We really like Saxon Math starting in fourth grade, and found CLE to be a good fit for grades 1-3. If you feel good about Singapore and like the way it works, by all means, stick with it. Just maybe get a higher level. I have heard that it picks up the pace quickly, so maybe just hang in there for a little longer with the one you have. You'll be laying a really great groundwork for your son in the future. I wish that we could've started out with Singapore, but it just didn't click with my kiddos!

Blessings as you decide, and praying you enjoy Beyond as much as we are!

In Christ,

Lisa

[moedertje]

Hello Journeymom,

I wanted to say welcome to Homeschooling and call yourself blessed to have found HOD! It has been such a tremendous blessing to myself and my family.

I have been with HOD from the beginning and have opted to use ABeka for phonics, being my first language is Dutch! I learned English as a second language and did not know any of the phonics rules, besides I did not even know there was a Charlotte Mason approach at the time. All I knew was traditional and I was glad I found this pre-school program that was very biblical.
I started my ds in ETC, but it was too slow so we went into ABeka. I would say that only doing ABeka Kindergarten might not be enough preparation for most kiddo's to read the ER books suggested. They do need to be able to read blends, whatever way you teach them to read.

ABeka can be very teacher intensive if you follow all they do. And on the other hand it is written for classrooms and tends to have much "busy" work! After being more comfortable with phonics, I decided to make sure not to overload my son with "busy" work. He did enjoy the colorful pages and was able to start the ER books before he was done with first grade! ABeka does not fit into the Charlotte Mason approach, but does a great job teaching phonics

With all this said, the only traditional program I use is ABeka for phonics, not for grammar and spelling. Just follow Carrie's lessons for spelling and grammar and you will be in for a treat when you start doing dictation later on and R&S for English

So, the other option for you is to use one of the books Carrie recommends. Since I did not use them, but only peaked at them and TRL seems to have less writing on the page.
Here is a link to read Carrie's explanation on the TRL vs RME. This may really help you choose what might work best for your child.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2503

Now about MATH: Singapore does an excellent job at teaching mental math. With the hands on activities that Carrie writes your child will be sure to understand why they are doing the things required in the math books. Here is another link you may enjoy reading as to why Carrie choose Singapore math.
ABeka math is great at teaching the how's for math, but in reviews it has been said that it lacks teaching the why behind Math.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=112

I also wanted to know if you have taken the placements tests for Singapore math here is the link to the website for that. This may help you place your dc in the right books for Singapore.
http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm

Hope this helps and Success!

[my3sons]

Aren't these ladies great?!? What good responses you've received already! I agree that another year of phonics of your choice is a good idea. If you finish phonics earlier than the end of the year, you can start the Emerging Reader's Set at any time. We needed to grow into it after 2 years of phonics, so we did both Bibles from it, which added 9 weeks to it. That can be an option down the road too. As far as math, we've loved the hands-on math HOD has to match SIngapore at the younger levels. Here are some posts about Singapore that may be helpful, but you can use any math program with HOD:
Singapore Math (why Carrie picked it and my top reasons for using it)
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4271&p=31537#p31537
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=112

In Christ,
Julie

[journeymom]

Thank you all so much for your responses and wonderful encouragement and advice!!! We're enjoying each moment using HOD and still figuring out what is needed for phonics and reading. Thank you again!!