LHFHG -when we are starting!

[Jessi]

Well it is official. We are beginning LHFHG in January. I am trying to purchase several more things and really get everything ready before then. We are going to start at half pace and go from there. I was originally going to do "learning the basics" every day and "learning through history" every other day to draw it out over two years. I was thinking of doing K the first year and then 1st to finish up LHFHG the second year...but after much guidance I am going to just go at half pace until we are finished with LHFHG unless she is ready for a full day and then start her in beyond once we are done! I am really excited. I have sat down with everything several times, just flipping through different texts for the entire year getting a feel for the flow. Emma has been leafing through the books when I have them all out. She is excited to start in them as well since it feels like "real" school to her. I appreciate all the advice I have recieved on here in the past couple of months. Thank you all!

Can I just say that I really like Thornton Burgess books....I have been reading Reddy on my own. Why was I NEVER introduced to these books when I was little? I had never heard of them before HOD and I am so glad I get to share these with Emma. She has already noticed that the characters are showing up in each other's books based solely on looking at the pictures on the covers of the books.

Oh and Julie- an extra big *hug* from me for all your wisdom and help in pm! And also, I went out and bought a tool turntable off Ebay. Once I saw what it was...I was hooked and had to have it!!! I can't wait for it to get here so I can sort all our artsy stuff into one container that will be easy to use. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Kathleen]

Yeah Jessi! LHFHG sounds like so much fun! I hope that you and Emma thoroughly enjoy it and that your school time is full of wonderful memories!

BTW...I'm seriously considering getting the Burgess books before next year so I can read them, too! I know Grant won't want to miss out either! (He's so deprived! ) But, I'll probably be fine to wait until spring... (sigh!)

And, I'm so glad that you let me know you already got your too turnabout so I can go bid on mine on e-bay!

Kathleen

[Carrie]

Jessi,

I'm so excited for you to start LHFHG! I think your plan sounds great to do it at half-speed, until Emma seems ready for full-speed! It is so easy to keep track of where you've been and what you've done in the guide that way!

I agree with you that the Burgess books are great fun to read! I am enjoying them even on my third round of reading them aloud. My boys have enjoyed them so much too. They are something the kiddos definitely grow into as it requires a seasoned listener.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

Thanks, Jessi! I'm so excited for you and Emma to begin having fun with LHFHG! I know what you mean about the Burgess books - I too wish I could have read them when I was a child. I confess after finishing LHFHG I ordered all the Burgess books I could and gave them as gifts (stocking stuffers) when my ds was doing BLHFHG and could read them on his own. They are not expensive, and they are too cute to pass up! Oh, and I now have 2 tool turnabouts, one for each table we do school at! I'm so glad others are going to be enjoying that little piece of homeschool organization too. Have a Fabulous Friday, gals!

In Christ,
Julie

[Lori_in_Austin]

tool turntable ? what is that ?!

I am not very arts & crafty so I am a little embarassed to ask (another reason why HOD is so good for me!). Please tell me more about this tool turntable. Can you attach a picture?

and about the Thornton Burgess books, coincidentally, I literally just posted this on a separate post !

Hi All,

... God Bless Thornton Burgess stories !

Sometimes my husband will read the Burgess story to my 5yo ds and the next day when I pick it up, I MUST read the chapter I missed ! My son likes it a lot, too, but my confession is that I think I might like it more than he does (if that is possible!). Last night I asked my husband how the reading went and how it "pains me" to miss a chapter and he said "me too" !!! FUNNY !!!

That is SO cute! I really enjoying reading the Burgess books too. We just finished Danny Meadow Mouse yesterday, and Greyson couldn't wait to get on to Grandfather Frog today!

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie,

I had never heard of Dover Classics before HOD, but when I was analyzing HOD LHFHG, the Dover Classics were a big reason I decided to choose LHFHG over other curriculum and I have not been disappointed (besides that I knew the CLP texts were great and the activity boxes looked so FUN !). It was exactly the kind of REAL book and LIVING literature for which I was looking.

I wanted something I could read aloud that had the kind of eloquent and virtuous writing that modern writers just don't have anymore..... I believe reading it and hearing it read aloud is the best way to teach great grammar at this age. So THANK YOU for choosing such superior and excellent literature (did I mention the poetry is amazing ?!).

Also, before we started LHFHG, I thought it would be hard for my ds (at just-turned-five) to want to read the Dovers since we were still primarily reading story books with pictures. I was not sure how we would take to the Dover chapter books with fewer pictures, but we stuck with it and he got hooked. AND he loves the pictures. He constantly asks to see the pictures. They are the kind of pictures that really get his imagination going. He still likes to do the activity where one of us hides (as Reddy Fox) and the other pretends to be the Farmer's son trying to find him....He even puts on his overalls and straw hat and bandana to dress the part of farmer boy !!!

So Dover Classics gets a five star rating from us

[Jessi]

Lori, the tool turntable is from pampered chef. Julie keyed us in on how absolutely great it is. Both Julie and I have purchased ours off ebay for about $15 each (including s & h for me). It is a great place to put all your art supplies in one container and it spins around so whatever you need is literally at your finger tips. I can't wait for mine to get here!

I loved your post about the Burgess books. It made me giggle about both you and your husband loving the books you can't miss a chapter. My husband isn't much of a reader unless it is about a topic he is into...something tells me talking animals aren't going to be his thing! And I am in complete agreement about the classics being quality literature.

Have a blessed day.

[my3sons]

Hi Lori! Well, I don't think the Tool Turnaround was ever designed for the use I used it for, so don't feel bad not knowing what it is! It's actually by Pampered Chef for kitchen utensils, but it happens to work great for basic art supplies too. Here's a pic I have with it on the table:



Hi Jessi - I'm so glad you got one, and that's a good deal! That's how much I paid too. I think they're on ebay pretty often for about that much if you watch for them.

Have a great weekend ladies!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Ladies,

I love that you are enjoying Thornton Burgess right along with your kiddos. I agree that the way he writes requires a seasoned listener but that it definitely has wording that sets it apart from today's literature. It works wonders for listening skills, improving vocabulary, following a storyline, and getting to "know" and predict what various characters will do based on their previous actions. It sprinkles in the consequences of various choices both wise and unwise and addresses so many mistakes kiddos make within their own lives.

Happy reading! On another note, I have finally finished choosing books for both a boy and a girl set of read-alouds for the storytime set of the new ancient's guide. The literature packs will include one selection from each of the nine genres and are not intended to match the history. Each book is such a solid choice, and there are some absolute gems you would most likely never have read in there! I am thrilled with the choices and am excited that you will get a chance to read aloud these great books too!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Leslie in TN]

Happy reading! On another note, I have finally finished choosing books for both a boy and a girl set of read-alouds for the storytime set of the new ancient's guide.

Oh, Carrie! You can't leave us hanging like that! C'mon.. just a title or two from each set? Pretty please?!?

[Lori_in_Austin]

Thank you Julie and Jessi for educating me on the tool turnabout. What I great idea! I'll have to check it out. My solution also has to be toddler proof for a two year old inclined to write on walls.... I did not have this "issue" with my first ! This looks easy to pick up and put to a higher place.

Lori