honeymomma4,
One thing that has helped me is to view the left side of LHFHG as one 30 min. chunk that I need to be uninterrupted if at all possible. The four boxes on the right side of LHFHG can easily be scattered throughout the day and not done in one grouping, but the left side seems to flow better and more smoothly if all done together in one sitting.
With this in mind, I would plan to do the left side of LHFHG when your little one is napping. When we do the left side of LHFHG, typically I will do the reading of the history story first, followed by Rhymes in Motion, then the Bible Study, and after that the singing of the Scripture song. Last, I finish with the bottom left corner box. Sometimes I move around the order in which I do things, but I typically always finish with the bottom left box. This is because this activity can sometimes go on longer, and I like to not be rushing the kiddos so I can finish out the left side. When I do the bottom left box last, they can continue on with that activity longer if they like.
I am always done easily with the left side in 30 min. or less. If I have a bit of extra time, I'll also squeeze in the Storytime Box during this time too. I find that when I do the left side in one chunk, there are only four 15 min. items remaining on the right side of LHFHG to complete. This is easily accomplished!
Often I do two of the right side boxes first thing when my sweeties start their day. Usually I begin with the fine motor skills and follow it up with math. However, since you have two sweeties doing LHFHG, I would likely have one do the fine motor skills while the other does phonics. Then, I would switch and have the other do fine motor skills while the other one does phonics or emerging readers. I love to do two writing/thinking type areas like these before my little honeys' hands and minds wear out!
Then, I let them take a play break for 30 min. or so, but I set the timer so they know when their playtime is up (and so do I). Otherwise, the day could get away from me!
After their playbreak, you could either do the left side of LHFHG in one chunk if your precious babe is napping, or if your babe is not napping you could do the remaining two boxes of LHFHG (doing math with both older kiddos at the same time around the table, seated between them to help both as needed). When I do this for math, I just make sure everybody whispers or talks very quietly when they need me. The littlest ones don't always cooperate, but we try to keep it fairly quiet with those aged 2 on up playing something like a magnadoodle or other cupboard toys at the table too.
After that you could cuddle on the couch and do Storytime.
With this scenario, you would do the left side of LHFHG in one 30 min. chunk in the afternoon as your babe was sleeping instead.
If the reverse occurred, your schedule would instead be phonics or emerging reader/fine motor first, then a playbreak, then LHFHG left side, then a break for 30 min. (which possibly includes lunch depending on the time of day), and then math and storytime.
In thinking of your other thread, if you did add the language arts and math from Beyond's right side for your older child, the schedule above would still work. You would just have one additional box of spelling/grammar to add either first thing in the morning or after your child's Emerging Reader time. Either way would likely work. Whatever you decide to do, I would strive to follow the same order to each day with the exception of when you do the left side of LHFHG (which will be based on your baby's napping schedule). In this way, everyone will get in a rhythm and will know what to expect.
If you desire to add LHTH, you could easily add it in the morning when your two kiddos are having their playtime after completing two boxes of LHFHG. LHTH just takes 30 min., so I'd do it in one chunk if at all possible.
When I do LHTH, I typically begin with the Bible story. I often have the child sit on my lap, so he is contained and looking at the pictures.
Next, we hop up and do the fingerplay to get the wiggles out. After that we'll often do whatever active boxes there are. We typically end with any table work that is artsy and requires a table to complete. This is because table work can go on awhile for those new little writers. So, I love to end with that.
This also allows me to get started on any other table type work (like math) that my olders could do while my little one is finishing.
I hope some of the ideas in here may work help as you ponder what is best for your family. There truly is not one right way to schedule, but sometimes reading someone else's ideas helps you find your fit.
Blessings,
Carrie
