Need help choosing!

[designergirl]

I'll have a 4 yr old boy (preschool) and a 6 yr old girl (1st grade) next year and would love to try HOD. My problem is deciding on which book to use and whether to try and keep the kids together or do separate books. DS would be at the LIttle Hands level and I may add in a phonics program since he's showing signs of being interested in reading. Based on the placement chart DD would need Beyond.

I thought I'd ask some more seasoned HOD users. Is it difficult to use two books at once with two kids? Or should I really try to use one book for both, maybe meeting in the middle and using Little Hearts.

TIA!

Thanks
Mandy

[Heidi in AK]

Hi there, and welcome to the boards! Have you had a chance to look at the placement chart?

If so, please let us know how each child placed on it. If not, please take a look and check back in here to let us know how your children both place. That's very important to the advice you will receive. Thanks!

http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

The ladies on this forum are so helpful and with your input, they can help you choose which curriculum fits your family right now.

[creativemommy]

Hello & Welcome!

Since your kids place in LHTH and Beyond, I would keep them right where they need to be individually. This will be a lot less tweaking for you if/when you move to the later guides. You also won't have to worry about something being too easy/hard for one or the other.

It's easy to run two guides because as they get older their individual workload increases and your workload (time spent reading, explaining things) decreases.

My oldest two kiddos are 2 years apart and I couldn't combine them easily based on their skills. I tried to combine but found someone was always missing out (too easy/too hard). Last year we were doing LHTH and Beyond. My dd was ready for some phonics work so I added in The Reading Lesson with LHTH. I also added Earlybird Math just for fun as she was BEGGING to do math like her brother.

Selfishly, I LOVE the one-on-one time with my kids when we're at the table together for their HOD work each day. We have had some really good conversations with the devotionals/Bible verses. I've also seen an increase in GOOD behavior after they've had their one-on-one time with me...I know they are thriving with the extra attention.

[my3sons]

If you've checked out the placement chart, and your ds places in LHTH, and your dd places in Beyond, I'd just get started enjoying teaching each of them those guides! Often times, those older dc do just take off more quickly, and if she's ready for Beyond, that will be fun to do with her, and fit her skill level well. Likewise, those little guys need all the fun, hands-on, foundational learning LHTH provides - and that too will be so fun for the two of you. This is easy-peasy to do. LHTH takes about 20-30 minutes to teach. Beyond takes around 2 hours. Beyond and LHTH are great fun to teach, and not hard to teach at the same time. I love having one on one time with each of our dc. I also love that each of our dc are able to fully do and enjoy all of each of their guides, without me having to tweak one single thing. It's a great way to homeschool. I think you'll enjoy it so much - but what are your thoughts?

In Christ,
Julie

[mom23]

I agree with the others In my experience, it's much, much easier to teach two different guides that fit my kids (also 2 yrs. apart) where they are, than it is to tweak one in the middle to make it fit! Our school day when we uncombined was quicker and much more enjoyable for everyone involved-especially Mom, for not having to deal with the tears of frustration, etc...

Especially as you're looking at LHTH and Beyond. They mesh very easily for you to run both, because LHTH is so quick, and fun, it almost feels more like play than like school . (Although they're definitely learning!)