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Two quick questions for you ladies who have been here before.

Handwriting: we had been using Handwriting Without Tears during the Handwriting time scheduled in LHFHG. I have loved it, I think my DD has too, and I have seen her learning to form letters correctly and really growing. But the K lessons were very short, and sadly I have not been good about having her practice, or making sure when she is writing on her own that she's still doing things correctly. I've been a little lazy about the handwriting from the very beginning.

But now I notice that Beyond doesn't have Handwriting scheduled as a part of the lessons. I think what I want to do is get the 1st grade book of HWT and continue having her do it at least 2-3 days a week (maybe the same days, or the off days of when I do Pre-K with my 4YO). Has anyone done this? Or does the LA that's in Beyond, as long as I am still working on her correct formation of letters (meaning I am watching her write and making sure she's doing it properly) give her enough to be able to grow in Handwriting without adding another task to our days? I appreciate any input.

Also I was able to get a used copy of Beyond, along with the storytime books but I have the boy-interest storytime books. They look like great books. I'm sure my DD would love them, but I also know she would love the girl-interest, or the classics (well we've already read Charlotte's Web). I think what I'm going to do is find someone else who might need the boy-interest books and check the girl-interest ones out of the library for storytime. Our library is really nice and easy to get books from if you know specifically what you're looking for.

But I appreciate any advice. Thanks for your time.

We continued with a Reason for Handwriting while doing Beyond.

The Boy Interest books are equally appealing to many if not all girls and the Girl Interest books are equally appealing to many if not all Boys. My boy loved many titles we have read that fall under the "Girl Interest" book pack headings. When we did Beyond I didn't even know about the Boy/Girl packs. There are many titles listed in the Appendix and we just picked one. I usually picked our storytime books based on what I owned already or could find at yard sales.

I don't think my children will let me get rid of If you Lived 100 years ago. They are really interested in it. I actually think I will keep them and read them, or the kids can read them, when we get a chance. They look like wonderful books!

My kids favorite from Beyond was Little House in the Big Woods. They both loved it immensely.

We'll start Beyond next month. We're reading a mix of books, boys, girls and classic. I'd pick whatever books you think she'll like.

My ds has fairly decent handwriting, but we'll still do a couple pages of handwriting per week. Just to keep practicing proper form.

My DD does not have fairly good handwriting. Unfortunately her father and I are both computer geeks so.... I have to say that handwriting isn't really high on my list of priorities. I talked to another mother who did Beyond last year and she said the copywork and spelling words were great practice for her son and his handwriting has improved dramatically over the year. I am really wavering back and forth between doing some extra, to try to get the good form in place while she's still young (as HWT would encourage me to do), and on the other side, thinking she'll get enough practice, and if I watch her especially at the start of the year and try to encourage her in proper formation of letters, it'll be fine, and another book is something I'll probably just end up dropping because we don't need more to do.

Still conflicted obviously. I'm considering starting another thread about the importance of handwriting.....

I am doing Beyond next year with two girls. I have the boys set from when their older brothers did Beyond. I looked them over and decided that the girls would like them too. I wouldn't worry about it. They are great books for any child.

We are starting Beyond next month. If I do any formal writing program, it will be to introduce cursive to dd. She will do manuscript for the work in Beyond, but no other program. That should be plenty.

As far as the storytime books, I will probably end up mixing with the different sets. There are good ones in all the sets, so I still have to decide. I bought a few, but will utilize the library, as I do not have another child to use them.