heartofdakota.com

Hi everyone!

After spending about 3 hours last night on the message boards, I decided I should just go ahead and join!!!

I will give you some background and then I have a few questions. Last year was my 1st year homeschooling. My oldest is a 6th grader, and then I have another son who is 5 (almost 6) and a daughter who is 4. Last year we used Bright Ideas Press' Illuminations Program (for the oldest). Now that I have my feet wet, I'm more in tune with what I actually think our family needs when it comes to curriculum and such. I HIGHLY value the Charlotte Mason approach and think HOD resembles it more than any other curriculum I have come across! That being said, I have a few questions.

My middle son is almost 6 and my daughter is 4. I am honestly struggling between using HOD or My Father's World with them (I have FULLY settled on HOD for my oldest). Could you shed any light on that....do you have any insight into MFW? They are very missions oriented, I know, but I am TOTALLY drawn to how HOD incorporates Bible into their program! I also like that in the MFW Kindergarten, each week is about a different aspect of God's creation and how the child can apply it to their life. That aspect I really love, and I also like their hands-on approach for little ones. I'm sure that HOD uses hands-on in their program as well; I'm just unsure of what they are.

My other question is about Phonics. I have researched both of your phonics programs and STILL cannot decide! Do you have a preference on which might be better? My son is extremely high strung and needs as hands-on as he can get. We are currently using McRuffy Kindergarten Phonics with him, and it's just NOT a good fit. I'm almost ready to stop until the fall. He's the type that WILL NOT do anything until HE is ready. My youngest, my daughter, can sit still for long periods of time and is VERY into school! So, you see my dilemma with trying to do school with them together. I am struggling with whether to hold him back a little (he is not very insterested in phonics) and put them on the same program next year. Do you think that would be ok? If so, I am probably going to go with Little Hearts. Again, I am VERY torn about the phonics if you could offer ANY insight on this I would love it, and I am torn as to how to combine them....like if I need to supplement him.

I might add that my middle is already using Math U See and we will be sticking with that. My youngest has done no math as of yet, so I'm up for whatever I think will work best for her. As I was looking in the catalog last night, I thought I saw something about there being hands-on activities for the math. Would it be too much if I had my middle do MUS and some of the activities within your math program?

So sorry this is so long!!!!! I am SO close to placing my order! I just want to have all my ducks in a row!

Hi, I think I answered on your other thread There are threads on here comparing HOD to MFW (I'm not good at searching) but to me the bottom line is just that they are different, not that one is better than the other. It depends on what your goals are for your family, and which approach fits that better
As far as Little Hearts, you can definitely combine a K and 1st in this guide, as Little Hearts offers K options and grade 1 options For phonics, I would recommend The Reading Lesson, because the lessons are super short, perfect for a little boy who can't sit still for long For math, consider using Singapore with the hands-on lessons written in HOD's guides. Little Hearts has hands on lessons for the Earlybird K level, but if you want hands on lessons for Singapore 1A/1B, you will also need to get a Beyond guide. With the hands on lessons you only need the workbooks, not the textbooks. The hands on lessons are also short and sweet, using things you have around the house, and many times using edible manipulatives-kids love to eat their math If you love MUS, you can certainly substitute that, but be aware that it will probably extend the length of your school day.
HOD has hands on lessons through Singapore 2A/2B (found in the Bigger guide), and then for 3A on up there is a daily schedule for using both the textbooks and workbooks. If you are considering Singapore, K and 1 is a great place to start, as switching to Singapore later on can be a challenge, because it is unique among math programs.
HTH!

Blessedmomof4,

Yes, you did answer on my other thread! Thank you!!!

I think I will use the Earlybird for my dd4, and continue with MUS for my ds6. He loves it and has really done very well. I'm not sure how she dd will do in math b/c I haven't done much with her yet. I think hands-on things will be a perfect start!

I am just SO excited to start using HOD. I feel so unorganized right now with my 2 smaller ones and I definitely need a little more structure. I feel like I want to order it now, but I guess I should finish what I have first....sigh....

Once again, thank you! It's great to know I have support here!

Blessedmomof4,

SO, I'm just so excited because I just downloaded the first 2 lessons from The Reading Lesson site and used them on my son, and he did wonderful! I, of course, wanted to keep going, but noticed he was starting to fidget, so I let him go for the day. I didn't even care because he actually blended the words and was so proud of himself! It has been so hard to get him to the point of blending that I was almost in tears and developing a SEVERE cramp in my neck from stress!

I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE COMPUTER AND ORDERED THE BOOK! I also ordered the 2 cd-roms that go with it. He loves being on the computer, so I figured anything extra would be great.

Thank you for the recommendation. I was beginning to feel like such a failure! I was like, if I can't teach my child to read, he's going to be totally lost in everything else! I feel so refreshed. Thank you for your help and insight. My dd4 also tagged along and was doing it, too.

Andrea

andreamichele13 wrote:...I think I will use the Earlybird for my dd4, and continue with MUS for my ds6. He loves it and has really done very well. I'm not sure how she dd will do in math b/c I haven't done much with her yet. I think hands-on things will be a perfect start!

I am just SO excited to start using HOD. I feel so unorganized right now with my 2 smaller ones and I definitely need a little more structure...

I just wanted to share we are enjoying Earlybird Math right now with our little one. He is LOVING the hands-on activities - especially the ones that include snacks. I like the pacing of the math. It is just enough to keep him learning skills without pushing him too quickly. MUS should work just fine for your ds6, since that has already been going well. I'm glad you are excited to begin using HOD. It helps me organize my day so well. I like the structure - it is doable, fresh, and fun. I'll look forward to getting to know you here!

In Christ,
Julie

Julie,

I am truly thinking that once my son sees his little sister doing all the hands-on activities with the math, he'll want to join in, even though he is already past those skills!!! Oh well....family bonding!

Andrea Michele, we are using LHFHG, Earlybird Math, and we're on to emerging readers. We LOVE LHFHG. We also considered MFW, and while I think it's a quality program, I'm glad we chose HOD. It is SO easy to use, and convenient for a mama of several little ones! Welcome!

Heidi,

Thank you for saying that! I was struggling SO MUCH between HOD and MFW, so I'm thankful I'm not the only one! So glad I chose HOD, though!

Andrea

Andrea, I'm so happy to hear about your success with TRL, and excited for you to begin Little Hearts

Thanks, I just ordered EVERYTHING I need for Little Hearts today! I hope it gets here soon!!!!

I think we will be starting LHFHG at the same time. I am waiting for ours to arrive. I would imagine we will take a little longer than you as we are doing a four day week with the older children so will be keeping this to a four day week.

Yay!!! Glad someone else is starting now! I have a ds who will be 6 in March who I am doing this with and a dd4. So excited!