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One thing I have done with my kids is give them the option of doing the activity or narrating. That gave them some control over things while still doing a follow-up. And the rhyme we normally just read as a poem. My kids have never been huge fans of hand motions, etc, so they weren't a hit that way....

We started HOD with LHFHG with my oldest. Like you, I added things to it because it is light. And then I realized as she got older, that light is okay! HOD really picks up in Bigger, Preparing, and CtC. CtC definitely feels like school for a 9-11yo (roughly 5th grade). When my oldest got to Preparin...

I like to get a few "random" non-fiction books for my kids. I look and see what books they have on famous people and places. There have been seasons we have gotten books on presidents or states (great for Beyond and Bigger). There are seasons I have gotten books about particular states or people (wh...

I think some of the others might be used in some guides? But I haven't added anything that isn't scheduled in HOD as I find the balance to be good already.

I agree that Preparing might be the best place to start, especially if you plan on starting soon. Another thing I will mention is that typing might be useful for the older one with dyslexia and dysgraphia. First, most keyboards have capital letters, which are harder to mix up. Also, it is often easi...

With my oldest, I found that the first book was hardest because all of the characters are new. Since the others a similar, it was easier for us. With my youngest, we used the audiobooks from Librivox. Many of the readers use voices or have multiple people involved, so it also made it easier and more...

What is it that he can't stand? If it is the speed, there are players you can use that will slow it down. I personally find great value in having kids learn something auditorilly, as there will be times in life they have to learn that way.

I work part time, but it is (almost exclusively) from home. The older guides are 4 day units, so it would definitely be possible to do those working two days a week (2 days of work, 4 days of school, and a seventh day). Also depending on hour long your work day is, the age of your kids, and other sc...

My kids type anything that isn't copy work (mostly narrations). At times, they also just scraps of cream last for the drawing and coloring (left over from their narrations). They make due with the timeline and sorry copywork boxes.

Is there a way to get the original version in print new? My guess is no one is currently publishing it. I would prefer to have a physical version that is slightly abridged than to rely on electronic versions ..

Do the K science! It lines up better with the guide I think. The activities are the same, so the book is only used for a little reading to go along with the activities. And I don't think the two books are really any different in difficulty (just different topics/order).

I am wondering why the textbooks were chosen? I am feeling a bit disappointed in LHFHG. What aren't you liking? I know some don't like how the science text is used, but as someone else stated, the tie-in to history really helps them remember things. And the science increases in meat with each guide...

Yes! And right now, some of my kids are covering similar topics in math and grammar, so it gets really confusing!

As for grammar, I think it depends on your desires. It definitely isn't necessary! But assuming you have been doing Abeka fully, it wouldn't be challenging to do. I would just now that when you get to Rod and Staff 4, plan on that level taking 2 years, especially if starting at a young age! The goal...

Bigger should only take 2.5-3 hours ONCE you get used to the guide. The first few units often take longer! That is why most intentionally plan for the first unit to take 2 weeks. Once you know how everything works and are fimiliar with the guide, it will speed up!