Beyond question - fine motor skills or spelling?

[Heidi in AK]

So, we are doing the LH of LHFHG with the RH of Beyond, except for the Language Arts (Beyond)/Fine Motor Skills (LHFHG) box. We are doing the ER's plus the girl storytime titles.

Shana is really tenuous on her handwriting/fine motor skills. She LOVES "Do It Carefully," but as with the rest of the RH, I'm wondering if she is languishing because she is not challenged. The spelling words are really short. Should I try the spelling words? I'm wondering if I should just do Grade 1 list with her this year, and then Grade 2 list next year when we do the LH of Beyond with the RH of Beyond, using the classic book titles for storytime, Singapore Math 2A, and probably DITHOR.

Her contact teacher thought in September that I should be doing Grade 1 work with her. I just don't want to push, but I don't know if she's ready for spelling as opposed to handwriting. We're only partially through ARFH K.

[catbeth]

My dd was ready to spell before she could write, and we had a spelling program that used letter tiles. You could use similar letter tiles wirh the HOD spelling program.

[Heidi in AK]

Ok, let me think this through. Probably this year I can skip the poem and copywork and just have her do the handwriting she hasn't finished, right? Especially since we will be doing Beyond as written after this. Then I can add the tiles (which I had but had not been using, great idea, catbeth!) to do the grade 1 list with her now (if she can handle it as far as length of day)? Thoughts?

[catbeth]

Yes, I would definitely save the poem and copywork for when you do the left side of Beyond.

[Robbi]

I agree, definitely wait on the poem copywork & sub in a handwriting book for that. Doing the spelling list would be fine since there are 2, like u said, depends on her length of the day! I like the letter tile idea! Another thing to try is dry erase boards. Yes its still writing but it's more fun or they don't have to push so hard so they like it better. Anyway, that's my suggestion! That's what we've been doing for spelling in beyond w/ my DD7. She'd be ready for more except for her fine motor!! Enjoy!

[Heidi in AK]

Ok, DD won't do the copywork specified in the Storytime box. I don't see it as a reason to hold her back in LHFHG for that storytime? She's ok on narration, she just doesn't want to copy. I'm glad we are planning to do the RH of Beyond with another set of books.

Thanks for your advice, Robbi and Catbeth. Nice and easy does it! I just have to remember we're taking this slowly!