Question about Beyond.

[KimS]

We are 6 weeks from finishing LHFHG and I have already purchased Beyond but am wondering if I should go half speed with my son. He just turned 6 in April and I am just not sure it would be too much for him. Looking at the placement chart and thinking some of those skills he doesn't have like copying a sentence. He doesn't even really write words although he has in his handwriting.
Also the able to study spelling words. Well I am not sure about this or not because we haven't but I think he could catch on to it.
Ready for a gentle introduction to the basic parts of speech, mechanics and usage (1 time a week) Not sure if he is ready for this. How do you know if they are ready for this or not?
He is reading but slowly.
My plan is to do math and LA (I bought a boxed curriculum to use) through the summer and hopefully he will be ready in the fall.

The one concern I have is I just think he has missed so much being so young in LHTH. I know he is within the age but mature wise he is young.
So any thoughts?

[Samuel'sMommy]

We are about the same place you are in LHFHG and will be moving on to Beyond next year for 1st grade. My son is also 6 years old. I agree that looking at Beyond it seems like a big jump, but I also remember looking at LHFHG when we started it and thinking it was a stretch for my little guy and he has done amazing with it. My plan is to start Beyond as written, however, if he seems to struggle or have trouble, I have no problem slowing it down to half speed for as long as he needs. Since he's on the young side of all the guides, we can take some extra time in there if we need to. He may do very well and we'll just go through Beyond at full speed and start Bigger next year in 2nd, but if he needs it, I'll just slow down. I don't think it will be a problem.

[KimS]

Thanks Stephanie. I also wonder if I expect more then he will perform more. KWIM

[my3sons]

I think I'd start Beyond half-speed, and when he shows he's ready, move to full-speed. We have done that with my 2nd ds, and it's worked beautifully. You'd be surprised how much they can grow with slow, steady, step-by-step instruction. HOD does that for them - we just have to keep consistently teaching the guide - and then eventually dc just all of the sudden, bloom. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie