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Hello all! Well, I have decided to change tracks for my dd5, starting today! We did LHTH for preschool, but I thought we'd save LHFHG for 1st grade, at least the left side of it. We'd been doing the right side and some other stuff for K so far, but it just wasn't working the way I'd hoped. I have an 7yo daughter in HOD also, and I guess I was trying to mimic the sequence that worked for her, but in the end, it didn't work. Most of all I was nervous about dd5 getting to the upper guides too young. So...I've decided to go with a plan that many have suggested before. If we do LHFHG, BLHFHG and BHFHG 4 days a week, starting now, that should take about 3 1/2 years and get dd to the end of 3rd grade. Does that sound right? My main question is about running a 4 day week. Do you do things like math and LA 4 days too, or do you run those 5 days? Any other tips for running a 4 day week in the younger guides? I know this has been discussed, but I couldn't find it when I searched. Thanks for any help!

Blessings,
Erica

Hi Erica! I'm always surprised by how each of my dc grow and mature. They have spurts that are at far different stages from one another. It really is a blessing though, as homeschooling each child seems to be a new and exciting experience. It sounds like your little gal is having a learning "spurt" and ready for more! I like your plan of doing LHFHG, Beyond, and Bigger 4 times a week. We've done a 4 day week many times around here, and we usually just take off the fifth day. This keeps the balance of the plans nicely intact, and gives us an extra day each week for errands, appointments, play dates with cousins, or just a day to sleep in and take it easy. I think you will LOVE a 4 day week! I think it makes us enjoy our 4 days of schooling so much, and it helps us enjoy the day off as well. It really is a neat way to approach homeschooling! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Oh, and I just remembered this thread too that may be helpful!
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9095&p=66994&hilit= ... ity#p66994

In Christ,
Julie

Hi!
We started homeschooling our DD7 with Beyond and are doing 4 days a week! Loving it. We don't do math or anything on the 5th day. We use that day as our "going to town" day. A trip to the library, playdates, errands or a visit to the childrens museum and that day is full of other learning!! No, our day 1 is on Monday but we haven't really been bothered by it!! So, I like your plan of spreading them all out. That's what we will be doing w/ both DD7 and DS4, we are doing LHTH 1/2 speed only 4 days a week with him and that's working great too!!!

Erica,

When we did a 4 day week, we just taught the guide as written 4 days a week and took the 5th day completely off. It was very easy for me to see where I was and what I needed to be doing that way, and it gave us a completely free day to do as we wished. It was truly wonderful.

We also found that the children progressed well in their 3 R's, so we didn't worry about completing a certain level by a typical school year end but rather looked at the guides as a progression that we steadily moved through. As far as Singapore math goes, it certainly doesn't hurt for your child to be a bit more mature when getting to 5A on up anyway! We have been thankful.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you all for your replies! I am happy to hear how much others have enjoyed a 4 day week. I am very excited about it myself! My dd5 is also so very excited to be officially starting LHFHG. She is even a bit possessive about it! Her older sister wanted to sit on my lap to hear one of the readings again and dd5 did not want to share! She also keeps asking to do the rhyme because it is so much fun. That one definitely draws all the kids in, and somehow I always end up on the bottom of a 3-kid pile . Returning to LHFHG is like putting on a comfy sweater that was put away for the season. It is wonderful. I am reminded of how deep the Biblical teachings run and I am grateful. And with the 4 day week, we should really be able to enjoy the journey. Thank you again for your replies!

Many blessings,
Erica

dd7 BLHFHG, R&S2, DITHOR2
dd5 LHFHG
ds3
dd 10 mo

I'm doing 4 days a week with my dd also. She started LHFHG at 4 almost 5, and is now doing Beyond at age 6. For her I am just doing school 4 days a week. On the 5th day she usually just plays with her younger siblings. Sometimes I have her read to me or do her extra workbooks(ETC, and R&S GHI series.)

Larica wrote:...Returning to LHFHG is like putting on a comfy sweater that was put away for the season. It is wonderful. I am reminded of how deep the Biblical teachings run and I am grateful...

WELL SAID! I have just returned to teaching LHFHG for the third time with our third ds, and I am enjoying my "comfy sweater" too! Have fun with your 4 day week!

In Christ,
Julie