We are done with 100EZ...now what?

[5sweeties]

DD, who is 6, and reading very well, is finished with 100 EZ lessons this week. As we've moved through the program, I've also been teaching extra about phonics and spelling/reading rules. She has a great grasp of everything, and remembers everything I've taught her. I'm wondering where to go now? Do we move into a regular spelling/reading/writing program, or should we fill the gap for the rest of this school year with something else? This is one phase that I've not yet had to deal with as a homeschooler, as my older children were in public school as 1st graders. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!! TIA!

[OneRoomHomeSchool]

What *I* would do even with my limited experience, but also in hind sight with my DS 6:

I would have your dd read to you alot now, building her fluency and comprehension. Have her read to you every single day and also her own reading time from a book of her choice, try narration with that.

Spelling, copywork and dictation I would add as well.

[Kate in Arabia]

What I did with my 6 yr old when he finished 100 Easy Lessons in the fall:

1. Started Spelling Workout A. I haven't been strict on it, like making him do dictation or quizzes of the spelling words, or whatever.. he is just working through the book slowly, he can do most of the exercises on his own, even though his handwriting is atrocious, lol.

2. Continued with Zaner-Bloser Handwriting level 1. Again his handwriting is quite bad, I just wanted to keep him plugging on with it. He has actually finished the book, so now I need to get something supplemental for the rest of the year, just to keep him going.

3. He started a book journal. He reads a book (with help as needed) every day. I scan a picture from the book into the computer, and play with the color tones/shading until it's colorable, and print it out. He colors the picture and copies the book title on the page, then we put it in his journal/binder. I try to alternate between books that are quite easy for him (Bob books, Max and Ruby, etc.) and ones that are more challenging that can take him more than one day to finish. He was super-psyched to have the journal, and it very often motivates him to finish reading a book so he can make his page.

He is a very creative person, can make up stories off the top of his head, etc., but I think I will hold off on starting a writing program until the fall.

[happykids]

After 100EZ lessons, I had my kids read lots of books such as the I Can Read series, Pathway readers, and anything we could find that was interesting and at their level. They also worked through the Explode the Code books, and daily copywork.
~Sabrina

[StephanieZ]

Got that advice here 6 yrs ago when I posted the same query and it's one of the best tips I've received. They're golden!

[Jennefer@SSA]

We used Bob Books and the Primary Phonics Readers (This series is published by the same people who print ETC). I bought the Phonics Readers only to find out that our library carried them - sigh. We moved from there to lots of the I Can Read books and just drown ourselves in great stories!

Best of Luck

[Snickerdoodle]

We are now working on Dolch sight words and Usborne's Farmyard Tales Collection.

[frogpond1]

and explode the code or Rod and Staff phonics and FLL after 100 EZ with three of our children. This time I'm using Funnix 2 just for the fun of it- he finished Pathway Readers through Third book 1, and I want him to keep having something simple to read - my guy is 6 (July b-day). He is also doing Phonics Museum 1 readers and workbook just for the extra practice and handwriting.

I guess just about any of the fabulous homeschool materials out there will bounce off of 100 EZ.

[tess in the burbs]

we work through OPGTTR after the basic letter/sound section. The advanced phonics were exactly what my son needed to transition from level 1/2 readers to full chapter books. We only read the rule and he says the words. If he can't say them after hearing the rule we also read the sentences. It's 5 minutes a day max! But he was asked to read some everyday. We also started FLL and continue in ETC.

[Philothea]

I plan on using the OPGTTR after 100EL so I can re-inforce and add to anything I missed. Then I plan on just selecting books at my child's level and letting him devour them and then focusing on English lessons and short challenging readings. I also think we will be taking on spelling, handwriting and copy work.

[MelissaMinNC]

so through the summer we just did tons of reading and reinforcement. When 1st grade started in September, we went straight into a spelling program. We didn't do any further phonics lessons, we just reinforce as things come up in reading. When dd finished with 100EZ (okay, we didn't really finish, we got to lesson 80-something and she was reading fine), she was really comfortable with level 2 easy readers. I used the Sonlight catalog and put all the level 2 readers from there on hold from my library. By the end of the summer she was doing great with level 3s, and now she's reading regular chapter books (she's really into Beverly Cleary books right now). And we read out loud a lot.

hth,
Melissa

[Angel]

First we went through the books (that we could find at the library) that were listed in the back of 100EZL, but you may have done this already. Then we went to Explode the Code and just read, read, read. We did start First Language Lessons but we went through it slowly.

[Rich with Kids]

We went through all of the BOB books , Dr. Seuss and then Magic Tree House type series.