Ordering Questions from a Newbie :)

[ForHisGlory]

Hello,

I have a few ordering questions before I place a large order. I am ordering for my 5.5 year old, and we will be using LHFHG. We already have one of the books and CD's, and I am reading that there is "one for one" swap. How would I go about doing this online...or do I have to swap by telephone order?

Also, for those that have used LHFHG, I'm just curious on which package to get...K or 1st? My son will be doing K this year, but I felt that the thinking skills workbooks for K were a bit juvenile for him (he is skilled at cutting and pasting, and does not like to color, so I thought the 1st grade pkg. would be better). Any thoughts?

And lastly, the million dollar question (LOL): Phonics. I read so many good things about Reading Made Easy, I am leaning towards it. However, I own Alpha Phonics, Phonics Pathways, and Spelling to Read and Write, and BOB Books. What I am thinking is that if I order RME, I can get him reading with that program and then progress on with Phonics Pathways or SWR. Any thoughts? I really want little man to learn to read this year.

Thank you all for your support and wisdom!

[Bramble]

Hi!
I am using LHFHG with my 5 and 7 yr. old boys. They have loved the Family Time Bible. I wish I had followed my gut and skipped the Rod & Staff books for my 5 yr. old. He finds them way too easy and dreads doing the pages. I feel the need to make him because I paid for them. (LOL) However, I have recently let it slack. So I would encourage you to go with the Thinking Skills book. We have both the K and 1st grade science, and I don't think it really matters which one you use. Although the K book is the one scheduled on the daily pages. The 1st grade schedule is in the appendix.

Sorry, I have no experience with RME. We are loving The Reading Lesson!!

I also don't know about swapping out items.

[ForHisGlory]

Bramble,

Thank you so much for your comment! I was thinking that the R & S workbooks would not be challenging for my son. I will definitely go with the Thinking Skills book.

As for the science, would I then only order just one book? I wonder if anyone out there has ordered both the K and 1st and used both?

Have you used The Reading Lesson for both of your boys? Thank you!

[tnahid]

I really liked the Phonics Pathway book. That is what I plan to use again with my daughter. We already have it, so I figure I can save some money on that by not using anything else. Have you used it yet? It is pretty easy to implement. And my sons enjoyed it!

[Bramble]

Bramble,

Thank you so much for your comment! I was thinking that the R & S workbooks would not be challenging for my son. I will definitely go with the Thinking Skills book.

As for the science, would I then only order just one book? I wonder if anyone out there has ordered both the K and 1st and used both?

Have you used The Reading Lesson for both of your boys? Thank you!

You really only need one of the science books. We do own both and read from both occasionally. Sometimes there is a lesson that has a connection the K book, but none to the 1st grade book or the opposite. At those times, I am happy to have both books.

My 5 yr. old is the first child I have used TRL with. I used MFW for my older boys and have dabbled in some other programs like Ordinary Parents' Guide to Teaching Reading, Alpha-Phonics, Phonics Pathways, etc. I personally do not like PP. I think the pages can be overwhelming to young children. Of course, you can always teach with letter magnets or tiles or a whiteboard, etc. instead of the actual pages but I don't have time to re-write things. Of all the programs we own and have tried, TRL is my favorite.

[ForHisGlory]

I really liked the Phonics Pathway book. That is what I plan to use again with my daughter. We already have it, so I figure I can save some money on that by not using anything else. Have you used it yet? It is pretty easy to implement. And my sons enjoyed it!

I haven't used PP, but it was gifted to me a couple of months ago. I need to look it over and see if it would be a good fit for Evan. I just really want to be frugal (since I already have quite a lot of LA's stuff) and try to use what we alreayd have...and then if none of it works, then I will try one of the HOD suggested LA's. Thanks for the encouragement!

[ForHisGlory]

Bramble,

You really only need one of the science books. We do own both and read from both occasionally. Sometimes there is a lesson that has a connection the K book, but none to the 1st grade book or the opposite. At those times, I am happy to have both books.

My 5 yr. old is the first child I have used TRL with. I used MFW for my older boys and have dabbled in some other programs like Ordinary Parents' Guide to Teaching Reading, Alpha-Phonics, Phonics Pathways, etc. I personally do not like PP. I think the pages can be overwhelming to young children. Of course, you can always teach with letter magnets or tiles or a whiteboard, etc. instead of the actual pages but I don't have time to re-write things. Of all the programs we own and have tried, TRL is my favorite.

Thank you for clarifying things for me on the science...I think I will just order both books since we really like to read!

And I totally meant The Read Lesson (not the other LA's) on my original post! LOL TRL is the one I was considering to buy. I would really like to try to use what I have on had since I have quite a lot, but perhaps I could sell some of my LA's stuff. I just have read so many great things about TRL and how it's not too deep, but basically gets them reading! That's exactly what I want...for him to read, and then we can work from there.

Thanks again for your help!

[my3sons]

My 5 yo really enjoyed the R & S Workbooks. They helped him transition into being better at cutting with his scissors, gluing things, learning beginning writing skills, and working through basic critical thinking skills. If a child has these skills down well, then "Thinking Skills" is good to do instead. For phonics, "The Reading Lesson" is a great way to start. It is uncluttered on the page, easy to teach, includes a computer CD to reinforce the lesson, and has an easy pacing to use. The BOB books would pair nicely with TRL as you reach the middle of the book or so. We bought both science books, and I felt they were quite similar. We went from reading both to reading just "The World God Made". If you are going to choose 1 of the 2, I'd get "The World God Made", as it is the one listed in the daily plans and correlates very well with the experiments. As far as substitutions, here are the details...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8779&p=64114

CTC and LHFHG are going to be such fun - I'm glad you are doing HOD! HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

[ForHisGlory]

Julie,

Yes, this is very helpful! Thank you for the info.