How can I use 1 program with many children?

[crlacey]

I can't help you on using HOD to combine everyone since my plan is to keep my two separate. Though it seems at first glance that you might be able to combine the 8 and 6 yr olds then combine the 4 and 2 yr olds depending on their skill levels.

But I can comment on the Animals and Their Worlds. If you use it as written, it is a very full program to use. I ended up just using their animal of the day (reading/looking at the encyclopedia) and letting DD draw the animal in a notebook and write a few sentences about what she learned. That cut the time down to 30 minutes. So really, it was a waste of money for our family. If I had it to do over again, I would have just picked up some books from the library to do the same thing. Also you may not want to use the program if you did not care for the One Small Square series since you use that every day as part of the core program in AW. Others really love it and use it as written and it certainly lends itself to combining many ages. I only wanted to give a different take on that program for you.

[Alison in KY]

Terri, what ages are your children again?

Alison

Alison,

In the fall they will be 10, 8, 6, 4, and almost 2 (with a possible pregnancy )

For others who have commented and are willing to help me:

My 10 yo does fairly well with independent work. My 7yo (soon to be 8 ) boy needs a lot of hand holding, is hesitant to want to learn things that do not interest him, and is just starting to read a little and still struggles with math. My 5 yo girl (6 in the summer) is progressing well with reading and loves to learn. I will probably not graduate the 10 yo and 7 yo until they are 19, so I will have my 10 yo doing 4th grade and my 8 yo doing 2nd grade this coming year.

I am not sure why I didn't like using Bigger with my 9/10 year old. Maybe because we have been focused on American History for so long. Maybe because I don't really care for the One Small Square books. Maybe because I felt overwhelmed trying to do it along with Little Hands and Little Hearts. I just really feel like I want us on that one page for history and science. Am I wrong to think that way?

This is one of the options I have been tossing around:

Doing Preparing or HHTT with all of them for history, but mainly just focusing on the 3 R's for the younger two. And, then, using WP Animal Worlds for science for everyone and leaving out HOD science.

What other options do you see for us?

No, you are absolutely not wrong to want everyone on that one page for science and history. However, just because you are all covering the same time periods/subjects won't mean that you can get them all doing the same things. I'm not sure about the two older HOD packages...because the readers might be too long for your younger kids, etc. BUT, if you are truly sick of American history then doing Preparing sounds like a good bet. I like that you recognize where you might have problems and your willing to adapt the program to suit you and your kids.

As far as the WP goes, it looks like that program also uses the One Small square books (I might have been looking at a beefed up package or something). Take a look again. You could do the Shoot/Spray/Buzz/Bite program for 1st through 4th grade. However, it looks like it would take a bit of time and have alot of activities. If you like doing crafts/activities then this would be great, but if you really need something simple, you could just buy a couple of the readers from a HOD package (like science from Beyond) and/or Winterpromise and spend the year going over them in a lower maintenance way. You could always buy a 4th grade science text for your oldest independent child. Actually, I have just bought Rod and Staff's 4th grade science for my 10 yr old...I don't know how much of it we will go through, but I'll give it a shot. Someone, somewhere had recommended one of those Complete Book of Science workbooks...you could try that for your oldest.

And again, if you are NOT sick of American history, then you could do Beyond.

It's surprising how your oldest 3's descriptions match my three's descriptions, with the exception that my current 5 yr old (6 in June) isn't reading yet.



Talk to you soon,
Alison

[mom2fiveboysnc]

Terri, I haven't offered help because I don't feel qualified to give any (new hsing mom this year) and like you, have went back and forth on what to use and have recently decided to go with HOD and quit waffling around and thinking about others to use because i didn't like this or that part of HOD. You have gotten really good advice, i liked what everybody had to say. My suggestion for you is use Preparing and supplement with some of the "extra" reading books listed in the LHFHG appendix as they apply to the Preparing lesson plan for your youngers. I looked up those in my library online and alot of them are available. Hopefully they are for you too. Little Hearts to me seems to be a broad overview of history also although not the same focus as Preparing. I just think the Preparing books for hx are going to be over your younger kids heads. Then use the right side for your little ones of LHFHG. You could combine your kids in WP Animal Science although I fear that won't work for you either because it also uses the One Small Square series, lots of them. Have you tried the Apologia books for science yet? Or you could switch the OSS books with something else your kids liked. My boys didn't like the OSS books also and I got Apologia 1 & 2 for them which we are using in no particular order.
When you say you want your kids to combine for science, are you meaning each child do the exact same thing with what you're studying? Say oceans and all participate in the blowdryer experiment to see what causes waves? That type of thing? I don't know how many of the science activities in Preparing could be done for all your little ones. You say your 2nd dc needs hand-holding and has to be interested in the subject matter. Does he like animals? Is that why you like that program? I don't know about yours, but my little one doesn't really like the science experiments. That being said, my boys like to listen in on or participate in some of the other's stuff. My 6-yr old will color in a book on whales/dolphins or even make something with playdough while Ethan and I do his science. Brendan is very antsy and doesn't sit still well so alot of my reading out loud coincides with him doing coloring, doing his math, handwriting or something else to keep him busy. He just can't sit still and listen! Surprisingly enough, he sits still and listens to me read from his Bible or R&S readers.
Maybe you can get some library books about oceans, rocks, plants, animals, etc. and read from them for everybody then do the experiments for the olders. I understand your concern totally and what Carrie said is so true about curriculum hunting. For a few months I kept looking because I was not happy with a small part of HOD. But I feel there is a reason I was so drawn to HOD to begin with. WP in my opinion is not Christian based-all you do is a devotional 4 days per week and in my opinion, the books aren't all that Christian-based at all. Throwing that in does not make it on the same level as HOD, nowhere near it! My focus is not on science or history or math or anything else for that matter but to feed my kids spiritually, myself as well if truth be known and hopefully awaken their little hearts to the truths of God. I have already seen differences in them and I hope for much more over the next few years Good luck to you and I hope you find what you are looking for! Cheryl

[MommyInTraining]

I am really interested in using HHTT, but I don't know if I should try to do it with my oldest and try Beyond with the younger two. Ughh, I don't like the thought of doing two separate programs again. But, maybe it is my attitude I need to change....

[Alison in KY]

Terri, are you just wanting to cover ancients?

How about a Plan C...you could use HFHTT (or whatever the abbrev. is ) with the 10 yr old, and just cover your basics (using your own LA's and math) with the 8 and 6 yr old. Then the 8 and 6 yr old can listen in on your storytime, Bible, poetry, etc...if they can sit still for that long, with the ancients program. Don't sweat it if they want to run off and play.

I know some people probably won't like this, because you are missing out on history and science for your 8 and 6 yr olds...but they'll pick up some of what you are doing with the oldest. As long as you don't keep them locked inside a house or anything then they will be learning. And by the way, I've spent more of these early years working on those basics and NOT doing history and science...it's what I had to do for survival, and that was just with 3 kids .

I just feel like you need to take a step back, relax, and go with something really simple right now...and go forward with it as much as you can with a toddler running around and a possible upcoming pregnancy (I noticed the spacing in all of your kids ages ). You could even use your oldest to do some early history and science readers with the younger kids. A friend I know was sidelined with extreme morning sickness recently while pregnant with twins. She had her oldest two kids read aloud to the younger kids...and she payed them a nickel a book for doing the reading.

Just 2 more cents...you shall soon be rich!!

Alison

[MommyInTraining]

Carrie and Julie,

What are your thoughts? I am thinking right now that Beyond, Preparing, or HHTT may be possibilities. I look forward to hearing your comments!

Thanks so much for your help.

Thank you to everyone else also for helping me with this decision!

Terri

[MommyInTraining]

Well, I am still not sure what to do. I look forward to hearing more suggestions.

Thank you!

[Alison in KY]

I am really interested in using HHTT, but I don't know if I should try to do it with my oldest and try Beyond with the younger two. Ughh, I don't like the thought of doing two separate programs again. But, maybe it is my attitude I need to change....

Terri, an attitude change is sometimes good for all of us, but after the year you've had, I wish you'd try something simple (one program) and follow it through. Even if it isn't HOD. You have so much going on in your life and I don't see it changing to much until you have a couple more independent readers.

Beyond will absolutely work for all of your kids, and be more on target for the middle child...but again, my 10 yr old is getting more out of this program than my younger two. However, if you dread covering American history then go for one of the other programs. You could basically have it for your oldest and let your others listen in (while playing or whatever), which is what alot of the other programs you mentioned do anyway.

When I think about how busy just your household maintenance is for a 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 yr old (plus possibly being pregnant in the future) then I think simplifying things is all you can do. Just try not to guilt yourself that you aren't doing specific things for each of your kiddos. Just work on the 8 and 6 yr old learning to read this year, and remember they are learning every time they read a book or see their mom manage a house with 5.

There is only so much of mom to go around. I'm sure you love them and are a great mom, so just strike a balance where you can stay sane. Pray, pick a program, and don't second guess it until next year . It will be allright, it really will, and you won't be failing your children on their academics.

Take care,
Alison

[eazbnsmom]

Dear Terri,

I have children who are very close in age to yours, so I understand where you are coming from. I have followed your posts here and on the WTM with interest and can feel your frustration in trying to find the right curriculum to fit your family. I think you need to change your focus and relax, if you miss something this year....you can add it next year and they will still learn and grow. I would suggest that you take this year and just do the basics. For your 2yo & 4yo (I know you are finishing up LHTH otherwise I would recommend that) is to just have some educational toys to play with and maybe a couple of simple workbooks (or even coloring books) that could be their school. I would combine your 8 & 10yo either in Bigger or Preparing depending where they place (or even use Mystery of History or SOTW for history) and have your 6yo just work on the basics of phonics and math (and possibly basic grammar depending on your state laws) . He could listen in on the older children's history lessons. Since you are not crazy about the One Small Square books (or am I mixing you up with someone else), I would suggest for science just going for nature walks (or have them study bugs and plants in your back yard) and getting lots of books out from the library OR if you want something more structured, try using the Elementary Exploring Creation with....series by Apologia. Next year you older children will be more independent and you will be able to add more in for your younger.

Please remember (as I am sure you will) that these are just suggestions and my personal experience. I pray that God will give you peace and guidance for this coming school year.

[my3sons]

Terri,

I was trying to go back through posts as well as read through this post to refresh my memory about each of your dc's 3 R's, and then I started to think that some of that information probably could have changed by now. I think if you could please look just at the first page only of the placement chart for each of your dc, and share here about each of them individually and what program each of them would individually place in - that would be such a relief to me before I advise you. I just keep going back and forth in my mind about this, and I think that would really help me feel more sound in giving advice. I realize that you would like to combine all of your dc in 1 program as a core, and I will definitely help you try to choose that core after you've given that information, and I know Carrie will too. One other thing I wanted to ask was if you could share how well your dc are able to listen to read alouds that are lengthier, with few or no pictures? If they are able to listen to that type of book, about how many pages (or how many minutes) would they be able to listen attentively to read-alouds such as this? I'll check back on this and will certainly post more then. In the meantime, I have prayed for the Lord to know how we can best help you out, and also for you to know what would be best for you and your dc.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Terri,

Edited to add: I see as I posted this that my3son's and I were posting at the same time (and saying much of the same thing).

Thanks for your patience with me as we try to catch up a bit on the boards and on everyone's placement questions! First of all, the ladies are doing such a good job of brainstorming options with you. We all want you to have a successful school year, and I think it's so important to recognize that you have a lot on your plate in the day-to-day!

While we headed into last year working to find your best HOD fit, it seems like once you got the materials you early on ran into a snag with using two programs at that point in your very busy schedule. It also sounds like you gave trying your own combination of things a shot for most of the rest of the year and came up feeling like that wasn't what you wanted either. So, you're sorting through what your goals are but are also realizing that in reality those goals have to match with what you can honestly get done in the day-to-day. We all have this realization, so that's actually a good moment to have. Otherwise, you'll just keep on picking what everyone else recommends curriculum-wise for their family and never finding what fits for your family situation.

So, for this point in your life, I'm going to look at those factors when making a recommendation for your upcoming year. In all honesty, which cycle of history you end up on is not the most important thing. The things that matter most are learning about our Lord and Savior through His word and making steady progression in the 3R's. Of couse, we don't want to neglect the other academic areas, however we want to make sure that priority-wise the history cycle does not come first. So, I'm going to remove the whole thought of what you want to study for history or science from the equation and take a good look at where your kiddos fall within the 3R's. Truly, this will make your HOD placement much better and make the program work better for you.

With that being said, I'm going to have to ask you to take a bit of time and give me a run-down of where each of your kiddos places individually on the placement chart, with all combining scenarios aside. Here's the link to the placement chart: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

This is because we can't even begin to realistically talk about how to combine your kiddos if we're not sure where your kiddos are as far as being individuals. If you could give me each kiddo by age (including their birthday month, so I can really see how close they are in turning a year older), and a true picture of what each can do as far as reading (or knowing letter sounds etc), along with whether they can write their letters or copy or write in cursive etc., plus what each has had in the past for grammar and math, and how each does as a listener to chapter books read aloud that would help me SO much. Then, we can dig in and find the best fit for YOUR family.

Blessings,
Carrie

[MommyInTraining]

take a good look at where your kiddos fall within the 3R's. Truly, this will make your HOD placement much better and make the program work better for you.

With that being said, I'm going to have to ask you to take a bit of time and give me a run-down of where each of your kiddos places individually on the placement chart, with all combining scenarios aside. Here's the link to the placement chart: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

If you could give me each kiddo by age (including their birthday month, so I can really see how close they are in turning a year older), and a true picture of what each can do as far as reading (or knowing letter sounds etc), along with whether they can write their letters or copy or write in cursive etc., plus what each has had in the past for grammar and math, and how each does as a listener to chapter books read aloud that would help me SO much. Then, we can dig in and find the best fit for YOUR family.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie,

I am going to try to get to this soon. Thank you so much for your help in placement.

Thank you to everyone else also in helping me with this decision !

Blessings,

Terri

[MommyInTraining]

OK, here is a run down of their skills:

My oldest is 10 years old. She will be 11 in Jan. I have classified her as 4th grade and plan on doing 4th grade again next year and graduating her around 19.

She loves to read. On standardized tests she excels in reading comprehension.

The area she is weak in is math. We are currently using MUS and she has been through Singapore 1A and 1B. I plan on supplementing her math with more Singapore and continuing with 2A this summer.

We had not used much formal grammar in the past. I started her with Queen Language Lessons last year and she did Language Lessons for the Very Young 1 and 2. I was not happy with the grammar instruction they provided and am not planning on continuing with them at this time. She also started Rod and Staff 2, which I feel is very thorough. She is almost through with R&S 2 and I plan on starting her on R&S 3 this summer. I have also been considering CQLA though. She can write letters to penpals, but is just now learning about how to write paragraphs.

She also used Queen Homeschool material to practice her cursive this past year. She can write fluently in cursive, but could still use guided practice.

She loves read alouds and would listen for as long as I read if the subject matter is interesting to her.

She stills needs lots of spelling instruction.

She can work fairly independently.

She likes learning about the past.

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My next child is a 7 year old boy. He will be 8 in a few days (May). I put him in 1st grade again this year because he was not grasping reading. I plan on him being 2nd grade next year and graduating around 19. I think some of his learning issues may be because he is left-handed and processes things differently.

This year I used Queen Language Lessons for Little Ones for his phonics instruction. He is just about to finish that up. He is finally starting to read!!! He can read easy readers like Bob Books and #1 reading with help books from the library. He still gets stuck on words though and needs continued phonics instruction. I am not sure what I will move him into after Queen phonics lessons.

His writing is still struggling. It is a struggle just to get him to even write his name. I try to get him to do copywork, but it is a struggle for him. I usually write the sentence lightly and have him trace over it. He still has trouble writing his lower case letters instead of all caps. He has trouble making his letters small.

He is moving slowly with math also. I had done MUS primer with him a while ago and started Singapore 1A with him, but he wasn't really grasping it. I will probably start him back up in Singapore 1A for next year. I have some math workbooks I will probably work with him on over the summer.

He has been doing the critical thinking book suggested for LHFHG for 1st grade and will finish that up this summer.

He does great listening to read alouds if it is interesting to him. A book like Ginger Pye he can sit and listen to probably as long as I would read to him. For something he isn't interested in he might listen for about 30 minutes.

He likes learning about typical "boy" things---space, cars, etc.

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My next child is a 5 year old girl. She will be 6 in July. Because of this I have thought of doing K over with her. However, she is progressing well with her reading so I will probably move her into 1st. She is also using Queen Language Lessons for Little Ones and will probably finish up that phonics instruction over the summer. She can read Level 5 Bob Books with help. I am not sure what I will use with her after Queen Language Lessons for phonics.

I haven't done much math instruction with her. I will probably do the Singapore K books with her over the summer. She can write her numbers and count and do basic math problems with help.

She can write her letters, but being only 5, still needs instruction. She can copy fairly well for her age.

She loves to be read to. She prefers books with pictures. She loves animals. So, if the read aloud is about animals she would be more apt to listen to it. If it is something she is not interested in she might listen for about 5-10 minutes. She will listen to pictures for a long time, just not chapter books.

She loves animals.

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I hope that that information can assist you in helping me with placement.

I still have Little Hands to Heaven, but have sold my Bigger Hearts and Little Hearts manuals.

I look forward to hearing your suggestions!!!

Thank you so much for your time and help!

[MommyInTraining]

I hope I included all necessary information. But, if you need to know more please don't hesitate to ask !

Thank you all for your help!

Terri

[eazbnsmom]

Terri,

I know that Julie & Carrie are getting ready for a convention this weekend, so they may not be able to respond until after the weekend!