How long in a day, and a Science question

[ForHisGlory]

Hi Ladies,

Evan and I are on Unit 11 as of today in LHFHG. He is doing very well. The only thing we are working on is him learning to read, in which he is reading words like: am, an, at, as, ax, Sam, Mat, sat, cat, on, the, end, etc.

Here are my questons: We are sometimes done with our school day in an hour or less, and yes, we are full speed. When I mean an hour, I am speaking of the time it takes to accomplish everything (we take stretch breaks and go outside, etc.). Is this normal? It seems like something is lacking and we need more, but I am trying to figure out how to accomplish getting more into our days. Evan is very much so a Wiggly Willie, and he asks for science experiments everyday. We are doing our own read-aloud in addition to the Burgess Books (we are reading the Little House on the Prairie series of books). Evan loves Little House on the Prairie, and he loves to sit in my lap and read! But back on topic. He loves science. The science in LHFHG (please Carrie, I don't mean any offense) seems not quite meaty enough. Evan did 1st grade science work with his brother before he passed away, so he is perhaps a bit advanced in the science area. Does anyone hae any suggestions for what I can do to make science meatier for him? We own Apologia Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. Also, I read that there are good science programs from AIMS Educational Foundation, and was thinking of adding in something from there. The science doesn't have to correlate with LHFHG necessarily. I just know little man needs more.

Thank you all for your suggestions!

[pjdobro]

Here is Julie's post about the time it takes for LHFHG:

Approximate Times for boxes in LHFHG...
Left side of plans:
Reading about History: 10 minutes
Rhymes in Motion: 5 minutes
Rotating Bottom left box (Science, Art, Dramatic Play, Thinking Games): 10-15 minutes
Bible Study: 10 minutes (add an additional 5-10 minutes on Devotional days)
Corresponding Music: 5 minutes

Right Side of Plans:
Fine Motor Skills: 5-10 minutes
Phonics: 15 minutes
Storytime: 10 minutes
Math: 10-15 minutes

That adds up to about 1 1/2 hours a day, give or take a bit.

It's been a couple of years since we did LHFHG, but I think we were averaging 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours most days. Your days will run shorter if you don't have lots of discussion about the storytime, Bible, or other discussion topics. Your phonics or math might be less too depending on your ds and how much he likes to do the hands on activities. So though you are running on the low side of the time it takes, you are in the ballpark. So I would just look over the times and see if there is anything you are missing. If you are covering everything, then I wouldn't be concerned. You could be just very no nonsense and click right through the boxes and your ds might not be one to follow a lot of rabbit trails. LHFHG is made to be short so that it holds the dc's attention, and it's amazing what is gained in that short amount of time each day.

As far as extra science, you could just look at the topics that you are covering in LHFHG and get some extra books from the library on those topics to read. You could do some notebook pages or crafts related to them. Another idea might be to find some fun science kits that you could explore together. I have gotten some fun kits from Lab in a Bag and Wild Goose that are lots of fun. Those things will require your supervision so plan on it taking some of your time. If you do have a budding scientist though he will love getting do build and experiment with some of the kits. Don't feel that you have to add anything though. The science in LHFHG might seem lighter to you, but it is very age appropriate and actually much more than most children would get in public school. Charlotte Mason's philosophy from what I've read is that science is best explored through nature study and allowing the dc to observe and explore the world God created. There's another idea; try to go outside and explore. Whatever he finds of interest, come back and read about it, draw it, etc. Follow what he finds around him that is interesting. Science is all about observation. Those are a couple of ideas. You could always add in the other science that you already have if you want. If it's fun, you both enjoy it, and you are getting the rest of your work done already, then go ahead and explore some other topics. The beauty of HOD is that it is short enough that you can add more if you want, yet it is complete enough, you don't need to add a thing.

[MomtoJGJE]

We get done with LHFHG in less than an hour too. I just chalked it up to her being ready for Beyond when it's time

Here's how our times break down generally...

Reading about History: 5-7, including reading all the Key Ideas
Rhymes in Motion: 2-3 minutes
Rotating Box: 10 minutes
Bible Study: 10 minutes (including Awana)
Corresponding Music: 5 minutes (but in the van, so I don't count it as part of our school day)
Fine Motor Skills: 5 minutes
Reading: 10 minutes every other day (she's doing Emerging Readers, but I"m doing it slowly)
Storytime: 5-7 minutes
Math: 5 minutes

So it takes us evidently about 1 hour max on reading days and counting Awana and music, so that's how I get my in general 45 minutes of school day. I'd say just stick with it and if he needs more science get some experiment kits and have him start journaling....

[netpea]

You could also add in some of the additional reading books listed in the appendix. I was able to obtain some of them through interlibrary loan when we did LHFHG.

[ForHisGlory]

Thank you ladies! You have all been so very helpful with your individual insights. I will just be thankful that we finish up sooner than later in the day, and trust the Lord. Afterall, He led me to HOD! It's good to know that most of you mommas and kiddos are getting finished up with LHFHG in under an hour and a half. And I think the science experiment kits are a great idea! I do allow Evan to explore outside each and every day (we live on a bit on land, so we have a ton of nature to see), and he is always bringing in some new creature to show me. I suppose this is an opportunity to read a book on that subject (which we do sometimes, but I need to be more consistent) and do a nature journal entry on the critter of the day!

And would you believe...I didn't even realize that there was the recommeded extra readings in the back of the guide until a few weeks ago? I am going to start requesting books online that correlate to the history, especially when we get into American History, and on the science topic. I think that will help a lot too!

And lastly, I hope I haven't offended anyone on here with my using "not meaty enough." In no way do I want to paint HOD in a negative light because a.) Carrie and Julie are awesome! b.) this message board is a blessing! c.) HOD is Biblically sounds and complete, and my child and many others are learning d.) HOD customer service is TOP NOTCH! e.) I am forgetting something--LOL I just needed some advice, and I am sure that we all stumble upon times when, even though we have a great curriculum, we just need to change something up just a bit to "spice things up."

Thanks again!

[MelInKansas]

I would agree, with my kids it seemed like we could often be done in less than an hour, if we went right through everything. I think I could almost finish Beyond in 1.5 hours or so if I didn't have the other 2 kids to manage while I was doing it!!!

Since science is so interesting to him, and since you have a place to explore, my suggestion would be to either buy or check out some books that just talk about the wildlife and foliage you can find right in your own area. Your county extension office should have information about plants for example. I always think it's so great when I can teach my children about the names of the plants, insects, trees, etc that we see around our neighborhood (and we live in pretty much a suburban neighborhood so I'm sure you have even more wealth in yours!) My 6YO had a great time the last time we went on a nature walk drawing pictures of things we saw, or I took photos, we did leaf rubbings, I meant to find out what kinds of trees our leaves we made rubbings of were from (of course I know the main ones - elm, oak, maple, but am a little sketchy on the rest) and I never did. Anyway, if you find yourself with free time, maybe you can enjoy some of those things together! Visit Library storytimes, see if there's a gymnastics class or something your child could join. We sure don't lack for enriching activities, sometimes I just have to figure out what I should say "no" to!

It sounds like you also might have enough space to have a garden. Gardening is a great, time consuming way to learn a LOT about nature. I know it's fall, there are things you can plant even in the fall (depending on where you live), or just work on it for the spring.

[twoxcell]

Could you add nature study, artist study, and composer study to your week? My kids love those things! At that age the Come and Look with me books are fun as well as The Carnival of the Animals, or Story of the Orchestra. Also you could always expand on the Science topics when you come to them by reading extra books on the topic or looking for pictures online.

[ForHisGlory]

MelInKansas,

Thank you for all of your ideas and insight! I did go to the library and checked out a bunch of books to helps with exploring our little acreage we live on. We do own nature study materials and books, and have been reading about different insects and plants. Now we just need to journal about them!

We live in Texas, and are in a SEVERE drought. It's very bad. Because of that, we cannot plant a garden until we are out of this drought. Our water bill would be through the roof if we relied on irrigation. We have a small orchard in our backyard, and very sadly, the trees may not make it. We just bought our home in June, with hopes of country living and having a wonderful garden and orchard, canning lots of wonderful things...that's just not going to happen for some time. It's very sad, because Evan wants so badly to plant things and grow tons of items. We have a little enclosed patio on the back of out house that we are going to plant some small things in containers (herbs, flowers, etc.), and that will be fun. But for now...it's a no go on a garden.

Twoxcell,

Yes, we are sort of doing nature study, but we will incorporate it more in a CM style ASAP! I remember doing a bit of composer studies with my oldest son...good idea! We are adding in Kinderbach after Christmas once we have either a used piano or a full size keyboard--so he can learn to play the piano! I am so excited!!! Evan was in art classes, but I pulled him out because he is still so young, and 1.5 hours was too long. So, I am adding in an art program we can do once a week. Thanks for your help, ladies!!!!!!!!!!

[MelInKansas]

Oh we have had terrible drought this year too, I am so glad I didn't put a garden in this spring because it would have completely failed! Or the water bill would have been through the roof! I think only the weeds have survived out there.

God always provides, container gardening is fun too, and I'm glad some of the different ideas have helped you find some things that you and your son will enjoy doing and learning from together!