Phonics after The Reading Lesson

[DHT1999]

I'm using Little Hearts with a second grader. He is reading very well but he hasn't completed a "full" phonics course. Up until a few weeks ago, he was using the Explode the Code Workbooks. He has worked through Book 5 in those. He has done very well with ETC. However, I decided to take a break from the workbooks because it was just becoming real drudgery for him. He LOVES Little Hearts and kept telling me he wanted to use whatever Little Hearts uses for phonics. So, I borrowed a copy of The Reading Lesson from a friend and started him in the middle of it. It's easy for him but it's been a great choice because it's building his fluency and he's really, really enjoying. It's the FIRST phonics program we've tried that he really enjoys. Boy, how I wish I had had TRL when he was in first grade. I wish I had had all of Little Hearts when he was in first grade. Well, because he is so happy, I'm not going to start the ETC back up. I'm just going to follow HOD's phonics course.

So, I'm wondering... when he finishes TRL, which will probably be pretty soon (he's doing atleast a half lesson a day now), I'm going to just do whatever Beyond recommends for phonics. I have the guide but I'm not seeing the "big picture" for phonics. Will more advanced phonics be covered in Beyond? He will probably use the emerging readers package but probably at a slightly faster pace than normal since he's on the older side for the guide and already reading now.

I hope I'm making sense. I guess I just need to know if more advanced phonics coverage is provided in Beyond. I guess that is a part of the spelling??

[water2wine]

Phonics is part of Spelling in Beyond and grammar is written into the Language Arts box. I have to say I was one of the most reluctant to go that way but in truth I figured they are young maybe for once I should just use it as it is written. And have to say it really works. They are getting it, it is sticking and so simple. I am not sure what I have been thinking. Wish I had used Beyond with all my kids now. Seriously if I could go back in time that is one of the things would be on the top of the list to do. It would have solved so many of the problems we had coming out of ps. My two littlest can almost spell at the level they can read. It has been amazing. Beyond is awesome for LA!

[Kathleen]

And, after phonics Beyond schedules what HOD calls the "Emerging Readers". You have your child read a short portion of a book that's scheduled daily and ask comprehension questions when they're through. This moves on to improve reading fluency and comprehension...and the reading level gradually increases. These books are scheduled in the appendix of both Beyond and Bigger. (Same schedule, not different ones)

I did more of a full blown phonics program with my oldest, and I have to say HOD's method looks to be a breath of fresh air. Allison is in lesson 10 of TRL and we plan to just move along with HOD's plans for her. We're loving it!

Kathleen

[my3sons]

Well, we finished our phonics and did the spelling in Beyond next, along with the Emerging Reader's schedule. I also had my ds do ETC's Books 2 and 3 because I thought he could benefit from the writing more than anything, and also a brush-up on phonics. But, if your ds has been through Book 5 of ETC, completed a phonics program, and is reading well, I'd feel fully confident about him just doing the CM style spelling lessons in Beyond, along with the Emerging Reader's schedule and questions. We did Book 4 of ETC with my oldest - WHEW - that was a leap I remember, which is why I didn't do it with my middle ds. If your ds has made it through ETC Book 5, he is ready for the next things in Beyond and they'll definitely be enough for him, IMO. Grammar on the fifth day and copywork of the poem also take LA to a new level Then, after that, dictation begins in BHFHG, copywork continues, and daily grammar is added. Your ds is on track to do so well with all of this. Enjoy your Friday - good to hear your little guy's doing so well!

In Christ,
Julie

[DHT1999]

OK, I think I've got it. LA has always given me fits. There are so many choices, so many skills to cover. I just love HOD's LA. I think it's my favorite thing about HOD.

Thanks!

[Carrie]

Donna,

I just wanted to chime in and agree with the ladies tried and true advice. It's wonderful to hear that your little guy is thriving with LHFHG and with The Reading Lesson! Praise the Lord!

Blessings,
Carrie