Dear Carrie
Should I use the Emerging Reader’s Set along with a phonics program for my advanced 5 year old?
My 5 year old daughter is an advanced reader who tests at a 4.6 reading level. She taught herself to read and has never had formal phonics. Though she does a good job of figuring out words she’s familiar with and knows her letter sounds, she does not know any phonics rules. As I was reading The Reasons Behind HOD Choices, I realized that not giving my daughter formal phonics training and teaching her the rules could end up holding her back in reading eventually. I don’t want to do just phonics during Little Hearts for His Glory, as I think this will frustrate her. She is so excited to read! So, should I use the Emerging Reader’s Set and incorporate a phonics program to slowly teach my advanced reader the phonics rules? I also gave her the Primary Singapore placement test. She places in 1A and is ready for spelling.
Sincerely,
“Ms. Please Help with My Advanced Daughter’s Phonics and Reading Choices”
Dear “Ms. Please Help with My Advanced Daughter’s Phonics and Reading Choices,”
If your daughter is near to being 6, she could begin Heart of Dakota‘s Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory instead. However, she would also need to be good at sitting and listening to longer chapter-style books without pictures. Whether you use Little Hearts or Beyond, I think a run through Sound Bytes phonics would be a good way to go for her phonics instruction. You can view Sound Bytes here; just click and scroll to the bottom. Sound Bytes works well for kiddos who are already reading because it moves quickly and takes only a few months to complete the entire phonics sequence. The stories go from short and easy to harder as the kiddos move through the program. It hits all the needed phonics rules and makes sure kiddos have had exposure to them. It also addresses the rules as spelling helpers.
You can either start the Emerging Reader’s Set after completing Sound Bytes, or you can alternate them.
After your daughter moves through Sound Bytes, she could begin the Emerging Reader’s Set. Or, you could alternate between Sound Bytes and the Emerging Reader’s Set instead. You have a choice of Bibles in the Emerging Reader’s Set. I would begin with The Beginner’s Bible in the Emerging Reader’s Set, as the Early Reader’s Bible will be too easy for her.
You will need the Beyond Little Hearts guide for the ERS schedule, comprehension questions, math lessons, and spelling.
If you do go the Little Hearts route, be sure to get the Beyond guide for the needed daily schedule and questions for the Emerging Reader’s Set. You will also want the Beyond guide for the daily math lessons that go with 1A/1B and for the daily spelling lists as well. Since your daughter is advanced and reading well, she will be ready to do the spelling portion of Beyond too.
We can verify you previously purchased the Beyond guide when your order the rest of its Economy Package and still apply your package savings.
If you do get the Beyond guide, then the next year when you need the rest of the Economy Package that goes with Beyond, simply email us to let us know you bought the Beyond guide early to for the Emerging Reader’s Set, and you will still receive the Beyond package discount with your purchase. If you have more questions, let us know!
Blessings,
Carrie
