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SylviaB
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 3:21pm | IP Logged
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100 Easy Lessons isn't working for us.
I'm torn between the CHC Little Stories program and Explode the Code.
Can they be used together or should I pick one?
Can anyone compare the two or give any recommendations?
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Cindy Mac
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 3:36pm | IP Logged
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I debated over the two as well and went with Explode the Code. My boys LOVE them. My oldest ds (5) who is much more analytical wants to do page after page of the book. My middle ds (almost 4), who can already read fluently, really likes to do the pages as well.
Good luck with your decision. I'm really happy with my choice.
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SylviaB
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 3:47pm | IP Logged
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Cindy,
What made you decide on ETC? Do you do the handwriting with it? We are using HWOT and really like that so I'm not looking for handwriting, just a phonics/learn to read program.
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folklaur
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 3:55pm | IP Logged
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my daughter is using EtC, and she LOVES it. It is workbook-y, but she is a fan of them  . She really, really likes them, and I have seen a dramatic improvement already.
We also have CHC's program. It hasn't really worked that well for us with either of the two I started using it with.
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SylviaB
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 5:13pm | IP Logged
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My son likes workbooks too. I just didn't know how it would work not using the handwriting portion.
At what point in using ETC do you start using readers as well?
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folklaur
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 5:18pm | IP Logged
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SylviaB wrote:
My son likes workbooks too. I just didn't know how it would work not using the handwriting portion.
At what point in using ETC do you start using readers as well? |
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The handwriting portion of EtC? No, I don't have that. (I think I may be a little confused now.)
I actually use the readers from Sonlight, the I Can Read It! books, that SL produces. They were developed to work in conjunction with EtC. So - while we are doing all the -at words in EtC, we are reading (goofy) -at stories in the Reader.
does that help? or have I just muddied the water more?
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SylviaB
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 5:20pm | IP Logged
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No, it helps a lot. I looked at the sample pages (actually of the Get Ready, Get Set, etc...) and it had some handwriting. I wasn't sure where to start.
Great advice about the Sonlight readers- thanks!
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cornomama4
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| Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 10:28pm | IP Logged
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Sylvia,
I have a lot of ETC at the house. You can see it on Wednesday. I also have Bob Books and Hooked on Phonics (got it at Half Prcie Books for $12) so you can check it all out!
cm4
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SylviaB
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| Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 12:52pm | IP Logged
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Perfect! Thank you so much!
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Matilda
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I don't know anything about ETC, but I have used CHC's Little Stories for my three oldest and have been pleased with the results. My kids seemed to appreciate the incremental approach of that program.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Martha
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| Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 5:12pm | IP Logged
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whoa! we have to pick one or the other? 
I'm using ETC with CHC's Little Stories for Little Folks. I think ETC isn't enough by itself, but for supplimenting I think it's great. 
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SylviaB
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| Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 6:19pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Martha! How do you combine them? Do you follow ETC and then use the stories from CHC?
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Cindy Mac
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| Posted: Sept 14 2008 at 10:08pm | IP Logged
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Sylvia -
I decided to use the ETC for a few reasons. The first and foremost was that I spoke with Elizabeth and she uses them with some of her children. I printed off the example pages and had my kids work at them. They really enjoyed them.
But no, we are currently skipping the handwriting parts of the book. We are also starting to use HWOT for our handwriting (another Elizabeth recommendation ). My thought is that once we get the boys writing their letters we will go back and complete those pages that require handwriting.
HTH 
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12stars
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| Posted: Sept 15 2008 at 12:23am | IP Logged
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We use both and it has worked out fine.
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lambchopwife
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We have used both in K as well. I think that thay work well together. I decided not to use them this year (1st)because I thought that the ETC and CHC toghether worked so well with him that he really knows how to "decode" now.
Cheryl
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Martha
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| Posted: Sept 20 2008 at 9:57am | IP Logged
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I sent this to sylvia via pm on a sunday and it just occurred to me to post it here too. 
CHC's guide, which comes with the LS4LF pack, details in literal steps what to so.
Step 1
The beginning of CHC's is basic letter sounds and formation. There's flash card with letters and pictures to color. This dovetails easily with Get Ready to ETC A, B, and C for those kids that need a bit more than simple flashcards and whatever handwriting they are using.
Step 2
Prereading blends or word families. Then CHC moves to short /a/ letter families. "at" for cat, hat, bat, mat, and so forth, which is right where ETC 1 starts.
Step 3
Ready to read the pink folded booklet readers that come with the CHC pack. I start with the "name game" on the back of each booklet, which reenforces the blends and makes reading the booklet easier. Then the "new words and sounds" are introduced. For example, the first booklet contains the word "Mass", which they have not learned to blend yet, but it still a very simple word to read. As I'm looking at my ETC book 1 and note that it is mostly 3 letter c-v-c words, with a few other 4 letter c-v-c-c words. I think ETC 1 and 1 1/2 would blends in well with the pink books.
Step 4 is practicing for fluency and continuing the pattern set in Step 3. Starting with the CHC gold booklets, I'd think they'd be ready for the ETC book 2.
Again, I think the CHC program is plenty thorough enough, so the ETC books would only be for extra enforcement.
At this level, I also introduce CHC's My 1st Catholic Speller. The words it starts with could probably be done earlier, some start it when they start the pink books. I would if they needed reenforcement. However, I prefer to simply focus on their reading and have an easy start to spelling a bit later.
Also, I start my kids with cursive, not manuscript. So waiting just a teeny bit keeps them from being confused on how I expect them to write.
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Bookswithtea
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Fwiw, I've used ETC with 3 kids and just started a 4th. We also use HWT, and like Laura, use SL's readers because they work well alongside ETC. This has really worked well for us, is efficient and not too painful. I also have LSFLF, and use the readers now and again when we need a change of pace from SL's readers, but we use LSFLF to supplement the SL/ETC.
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cfa83
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| Posted: Sept 27 2008 at 2:30am | IP Logged
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I had heard about Explode the Code for YEARS before trying them. Who knows what I was thinking! All my kids love them!! I frequently will ask the older ones if they are learning anything (considering they are long past reading). They always answer yes!
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KellyJ
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I admit that I haven't followed the guide for CHC's LSFLF, but my young reader has opted to use other materials whenever possible (ex., 100 Easy Lessons, Bob Books, Sonlight's Fun Tales). If you just jump into reading the CHC books, as my little guy did, they are harder than the others I listed. I think he'll come back to them, but he's enjoying the length of and his success with the other materials right now.
I don't have experience with ETC, but I am glad others find it so helpful. I'll certainly be keeping it in mind for my younger ones.
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Topic: CHC v ETC
