Questions about which reading program

[Tracee]

I'm so excited to have found HOD and plan on using LHTH for my 3.5 year old twins and LHFHG for my 5.5 year old for the next school year. By then, they will have just turned 4 and 6. I'm confused on which reading/phonics book to go with. We have been using Sing, Spell, Read and Write, and I think it is a good program, but my DS just isn't ready to jump in to reading. He has known the sounds that each letter makes for quite some time, and then it took awhile for him to put it together to make a word. Now he is doing really well, but he really balks at reading sentences or short little readers that are included with our current program. Although a lot of my friends children, who are the same age as my son, are already reading, I'm comfortable with letting him go at his speed. Which book do you think would be better for someone like him? He is very, very visual. He will sit and draw almost all day long. I was thinking about Reading Made Easy, and then a friend mentioned that she liked The Reading Lesson better. Does anyone have pros or cons for each program? I really want to get this right.

I'm so excited to get started with Heart of Dakota, I can hardly contain myself. I really don't want to wait until the next school year. I might start with LHTH right away with my twins and my 5 year old can listen in.

Thanks for your help,
Tracy

[my3sons]

HI Tracy, and welcome to the HOD board! Thanks for telling us about your dc, and I think you are going to thoroughly enjoy doing LHTH and LHFHG. We've enjoyed both several times over, and great fun is awaiting you! As far as phonics, both programs are excellent, which I know, doesn't make your decision any easier. I would lean toward "The Reading Lesson" since your ds is balking at reading sentences or little readers. While "The Reading Lesson" would be easier for him at first, you could clip along through the first part and while doing so, fill in any possible gaps and build his reading confidence too. Here are some recent comments on the board from ladies using "The Reading Lesson":
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5541

Now, if you want more instructions, more direction for you as a teacher, and more reading material in general for your ds, then "Reading Made Easy" is also excellent.

I'm sure others will chime in here, but those are just a few thoughts I'd had. I'm glad you found HOD, and also glad you are a part of this board.

In Christ,
Julie

[Kathleen]

Hi Tracy! I wanted to pop in and welcome you, too!

I'm using The Reading Lesson, and my daughter and I are loving it! We're in "Lesson 16" (out of 20), and she's blossomed into quite the little reader. I found this older post where Carrie gives quite a bit of detail comparing TRL & RME. Maybe that will help you. (You have to scroll down a ways to get to her post.) viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2503

Kathleen

[jenntracy]

Not to add to the choices,but we used Teach Your Child to Read In 100 Easy Lessons. i know some others here have used it. I was even able to check it out at the library before i bought it. We did a few months of early reader books btwn Easy Lessons and the emerging reader list from Beyond.My son is in the emerging reader set now (Amelia Bedeila). He turned 6 in October and we are suing LHFHG guide.. we had actually started the reading program in May of last year i think. we did school over summer and took big chunk of time off from Thanksgiving to New YEars. My daughter will start LHFHG at 5.5 in August. Isn't it exciting! i just love HOD. Just last night i was telling a few moms at mom time about HOD and gave them catalogs. They were very intrigued.

i'm excited for you

Jenn D.

[LeAnna]

Hi Tracy!

I haven't used Reading Made Easy, but I would highly recommend The Reading Lesson! It's very easy to teach and follow! The computer game is fun too. We used it as kind of a reward system for finishing the lesson.
Both my dg are 6 and 7 and now onto the Emerging Readers and are enjoying them a lot!

LeAnna

[Tracee]

Thank you so much for your responses. After looking over everything, I think I've made a decision. Now, I'm getting confused as to which book to start with. LHFHG or Beyond. Decisions, decisions......I guess it is wonderful to have so many choices.


Thanks,
Tracy

[my3sons]

Thank you so much for your responses. After looking over everything, I think I've made a decision. Now, I'm getting confused as to which book to start with. LHFHG or Beyond. Decisions, decisions......I guess it is wonderful to have so many choices.


Thanks,
Tracy

Tracy - I'm glad you are on your way to starting HOD! It is wonderful to have choices, but it does take a little time up front. Since your ds is 5.5 yo, I really lean toward doing LHFHG with him. I'd also lean toward LHFHG because he will be able to focus on phonics more easily. Taking one more peek at the placement chart may be worth it, as that has been very accurate for placing our dc. HTH, and keep asking questions until you have it all put together like you'd like it for your family!

In Christ,
Julie

[shaffer96]

For those of you who used TRL did you also use the CD? I am trying to decide if I should buy the CD as well as the book? Is it worth buying?

[Carrie]

We used to always say that the CD was optional, but these days so many moms have commented on how much it cements the skills for their kiddos and how well their kiddos enjoy it as a follow-up that now we've gone to recommending the CD with your purchase if at all possible.

Blessings,
Carrie