Need Help Deciding

[Amylynn]

Hello!

I just posted an intro last week. I am starting LHTH with my dd3. We are so excited. My question involves our dd6. She has been reading for a couple of years now & she reads really well. I am really trying to decide between starting her in LHFHG, or BLHFHG. I know she would probably enjoy both programs. I just wonder if we started her in BLHFHG, Would she miss out on any foundations? I had read in another post that LHFHG focuses on what life was like in the time period & BLHFHG focuses more on the people of that time period. Just a little background on my dd: She has used & is still finishing up MFW K, but we never used the phonics. We have just been enjoying the themes & the fun activities.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Blessings!
Amy
Happily married to John 17 yrs
Mommy of 7 blessings:
Kaylee 14, Karissa 11, Kyla 9,
Khloe 6, Karly 3 and Katie 7 mos,
plus one born straight into heaven 2006

[Kathleen]

Hi Amy! (I love your girls' beautiful names!! There's a family in my church with 2 sets of identical twin girls with "K" names...Kassie, Kallie, Krista and Karly.) I don't know if I'm much help in placing Khloe. Have you gone through the placement chart, yet? Here's the link if you need it. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php The placement chart is very accurate, and probably your most help. (You could let us know what you think after working through it for more ideas. ) It looks like for reading she'd best fit BLHFHG.

I believe the 2 guides you're talking about giving an overview of the time period an then focusing on individuals are Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory (BLHFHG) and Bigger Hearts for His Glory (BHFHG). Here's an overview of the 1st few...I believe. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.) LHFHG gives a big sweep of biblical world history ending with America. BLHFHG is the overview of American History. BHFHG is American History with a biographical approach. All of HOD's guides do build nicely on each other with building necessary skills and getting an understanding of the history, etc. BUT, they also each stand alone. You don't have to have completed the previous guide to have a wonderful learning experience. We're jumping in this year with my 8 yo, and we're loving BHFHG!! I'm sure BLHFHG would have prepared him well for it, but he placed well in Bigger, and it's wonderful! So, I'd say place her where she fits and go with it.

I'm sure some other moms with experience in LHFHG and BLHFHG will be able to help you out.
Kathleen

[Amylynn]

Hi Kathleen!

Thank you so much for your help. I did look at the placement chart & there was a tie. I think I will use LHFHG with her. I think she will enjoy it & we can always add to the phonics if she needs to. I'm so excited about this curriculum! We have no complaints with MFW, I have decided that MFW seems to be a good fit for our older girls & HOD is a great fit for our littler girls. We are really excited to place the order for LHFHG!

Thank you for the complement on our girls' names. We felt like we were running out of K names. I love the names your friends from church used. Those are really cute! We will have to remember those.

I just looked at your blog & I really enjoyed it! The photos of your children homeschooling outside were gorgeous. I love the one of your son by the tree, looking at the water & the one of your daughter sitting next to the water praying. Those were precious. You have a beautiful family.

Thanks again for your help.

Blessings!
Amy
Happily married to John 17 yrs
Mommy of 7 blessings:
Kaylee 14, Karissa 11, Kyla 9,
Khloe 6, Karly 3 and Katie 7 mos,
plus one born straight into heaven 2006

[Carrie]

Amy,

Kathleen did a wonderful job of helping you place your little sweetie. When looking at placement options, pay the most attention to the first part of the placement chart, which is mainly focused on the areas of reading, writing, and math. If your daughter mostly places in LHFHG in those areas, then that is the one for her. If she is somewhat in between LHFHG and Beyond, then I would look at how well she does in listening to books with few to no pictures read aloud. If she is still transitioning to being able to do that well, then I would place her in LHFHG. If, however, your daughter places mostly in Beyond for the 3 R's and can listen to books with few to no pictures read aloud, then she is ready for Beyond.

If you have other questions, ask away!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Amylynn]

Thank you so much, Carrie!
I really appreciate your help.
You definitely helped me realize that although she reads so well, she would still be best placed in LHFHG. I know she will have so much fun & I am looking forward to ordering it for her & getting started.

Thank you again for your help.
Blessings!
Amy
Happily married to John 17 yrs
Mommy of 7 blessings:
Kaylee 14, Karissa 11, Kyla 9,
Khloe 6, Karly 3 and Katie 7 mos,
plus one born straight into heaven 2006

[my3sons]

Hi Amy! Well, you have all the girls, and I have all the boys! I just wanted to welcome you to the HOD board, and I know you will enjoy LHFHG with your little girl so much. It is a wonderful program, that is filled with joy and learning. One thing I am doing that you could possibly consider doing is I started the Emerging Reader's Set halfway through LHFHG, since my ds was an early reader and had completed phonics. I use the Beyond... guide for pacing and comprehension questions for the set, and it is going beautifully. Anyway, I am so glad you are here and that you have a made a great decision to use LHFHG!

In Christ,
Julie

[Amylynn]

Hi Julie!

Thanks so much for the welcome. Sorry it took me a little while to see your reply. We had our computer down for awhile to rebuild it.

Thank you so much for your advice regarding the Emerging Reader's set. I will look into that. It sounds like a great plan. I am glad to hear that it is going well for you.

How old are your boys?

Blessings!
Amy

[my3sons]

Hi Amy! Our boys are almost 9, almost 6, and 19 mos. They keep us hopping around here - but life is good. I am very glad we are doing HOD - it keeps me sane. Two of my dc are incredibly LOUD these days - the almost 6 yo learned to whistle (I'm so wishing he never had ), and our 19 mos. old is still going through his "shrieking" stage. (I'm beginning to think this is not a stage anymore.) So, our very loud household needs the organization and get-moving activities in HOD. We're starting BLHFHG with our almost 6 yo on Monday. He's already been doing the Emerging Reader's Set for about 3 months now and loving it. I hope you have a Super Saturday!

In Christ,
Julie