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I am very close to ordering LHFHG for my DD who will be 6 when we start in August. I think it will be the right fit for us (she says trying to hold back giddiness). I am very unsure of what phonics/reading program to choose. I am not familiar with the choices laid out by HOD. I was originally going to use Explode the Code. A friend uses Abeka and loves it. Another friend uses 100 Lessons and loves it. I am not a workbook fan. I like hands on activities but need very little planning (little ones around). I love everything about LHFHG but am just not sure about the phonics. Anyone use the HOD choices and like it? Thoughts on other good programs that fit in with LHFHG? Thank you so much for any help!

I just went through this problem. We started phonics with MFW K and got bored very quickly. We then started 100 ex lessons and I didn't like it and more importantly my sons really didn't like it. We just started The Reading Lesson last week and we all love it! My 6 year old has flown through the first 2 lessons and he has started reading words so much quicker than he was before. I know what works for us might not work for you but I definitely recommend The Reading Lesson.

I've heard very good reviews about The reading lesson... we are doing 100 EZ lessons and my son is doing very well, but its kind of boring at first, so I will for sure try TRL with my other son when he is ready.

We liked The Reading Lesson. I have not tried the others, but I like TRL because it was not workbook heavy, had the readings right with it, and it was just open and read.

My son loved TRL, and it was a perfect fit for us - just open and read, no writing involved, do as much as your dc can handle and then continue the next day. My dd seems to be different, likes to do workbooks and such. Time will tell if she will like TRL as much There are a couple of good threads comparing the 2 programs HOD recommends. Here's one:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6032
HTH

I'll have to put another plug in for TRL. It's worked for my two oldest who are both very different learners. Simple, but effective.

We also just completed The Reading Lesson. Although at times in the middle of it, I wasn't sure...I'm super pleased we stuck with it! He was very well prepared for the Emerging Readers. My son did think it was boring, but I only had the book, not the CD Rom. I definitely wish I'd bought the CD, and will try to get it somewhere before I begin teaching my younger son to read, but I will try TRL again with him.

Thank you so much for the input. I feel much better about LHFHG and TRL. There are just so many choices out there! I guess I have first timer anxiety! I am so afraid I will choose wrong thing!