After our chat, it was suggested that I use Beyond with my 1st grader (she will be 7 Sept. 2nd, so she *just* missed our state's cut-off) and my rising 3rd grader (who is autistic/dyslexic) while using CtC for my rising 5th grader (strong reader/strong in math, etc.)
But when I took a look at some past posts, our experiences before, and even re-examining the placement chart, I'm now wondering if I should actually place my rising 1st and 3rd graders into LHFHG, with my 1st grader using the 1st grade options--we'd planned to use CLP's science anyway!). I figure he can either join in the 2nd grade science or continue on with CLP's 3rd grade science, as we'd planned--although his reading skills are nowhere near 3rd grade level. (His last test scores showed 1.6).
I explained to him that my 1st grader can "draw" letters, and even copy some sentences, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder if I need to hang back a bit and make sure these skills really are in place.
Goodness knows I've jumped the gun before and regretted it. Actually this is kind of what's happened--we used a different program before which catered to the oldest child, bringing the youngers in, and we saw virtually no improvement or growth in our son's reading/writing skills over an entire year. This is part of the reason why we're returning to HOD--to have more developmentally appropriate activities.
But if we hang back in LHFHG, where does that leave him when he enters 4th grade? Since my 3rd child is turning 7 as she enters 1st grade, should I push forward with Beyond, trusting she will catch on quickly? For example, I'd considered using the 2nd grade CLP Science for both?
I'm sure I'm thinking way too much about this, but I've pushed them before, just to stay on "grade level," and regretted it. OTOH, there have been times when I didn't nudge one enough, and that led to boredom.
In reading your post, I'm thinking that Beyond sounds like a great option for your 1st & 3rd graders. I think that if you are sure that your 7 year old needs LHFHG, you may want to consider splitting the pair up. But, from what you shared here, I don't think that you necessarily need to drop down to that guide. You will be able to do phonics instruction that's appropriate for each child (as that's not tied to the guide). You can use a phoncs program or the emerging readers or Drawn Into the Heart of Reading. If you think that your younger one needs some handwriting instruction, I'd just do that (with one of the books reccommended with LHFHG) and shorten the amount of copywork that child does of the poetry.