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Hi All,

My name is Amey. My husband and I serve as missionaries near Guadalajara Mexico. I have three boys; oldest will be six next month, middle will be four and then our baby boy is 5 months. We used Sonlight for Kindergarten, along with ETC and are about 30 lessons into 100EZ lessons. We also used BJU math. After this year I realized my son needs and LOVES hands on learning so a future with Sonlight was not going to fit. I am SO looking forward to first grade with LHFHG. I feel that God just plunked it in my path and it really fits what the Lord has been speaking to us about the Bible being the center of our childrens education...not just a subject we tack on each day . So, here we are!
Okay, my question: I looked at the placement chart for all of the programs and really, the best fit for my first grader would be BLHFHG. He is reading short vowel words and sounding out most others, he does copywork just fine, he has had a formal introduction to math, etc. BUT I chose LHFHG for a few reasons and I just want to make sure I'm on track...hear some feedback from those of you who have used the program .First, I feel like we did TOO much workbook-y stuff for K and not enough activity/hands on learning so I want to step back a bit and have fun using something gentle.
Second, my 4 year old is starting to join in and wants to "do school" too. I have plenty of Pre-K materials, but thought the activities in LHFHG would be fun for them to do together. (I don't plan to do any formal learning with my 4 yo. with the program, other than the R&S books)
Third, I am using CLE for LA and Math which is a very traditional program and will be a little more of a time requirement than a more gentle program.
So..(sorry this is sooo long ) Do you think LGFHG will be okay for our situation? If I need to move into two programs next year that will be fine. Thanks for any thoughts (and for reading my rambling! )

Welcome!
If you are using a separate LA and Math, then LHFHG would be doable with both kids. I am using it with my almost 5 year old and others use it for 1st grade.
I'm sure others will chime in to help you out too.

Welcome! How exciting you are in Mexico doing missionary work. We had the same conviction about bring God and the Bible into everything. I think you will like HOD. To answer your question I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old doing LHFHG. You can definitely add your own LA and Math to it and traditional is fine. There is a list in the Appendix of LHFHG for more books linked by lesson if you end up wanting more for your older child. And if it ends up being too much for your 4 year old you can do half a day at a time and fill in for your older with the appendix books. It's all very flexible. We have find combining really works for us.

Welcome to the boards!

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear water2wine that someone else is using LHFHG with a 4 & 6 yr. old. That was my question precisely! I will not expect my 4 yr. to do everything we do, unless he wants to. He is easily satisfied with a hunk of playdough or some scissors and paper, but I know he will enjoy alot of the activities and science in LHFHG! I am realizing that I think it will be easier in the future to "bulk up" a program than pare down something for the youngers. Thanks for the input, I look forward to getting to know all of you better!

Hey I just wanted to add in response to your other post that I was really tied to traditional type curriculum for the most part before HOD. I had a few things but the textbook gave me comfort. I did not sign up for HOD because it was CM style. In fact I really don't think I realized it had a CM flavor until we started using it. I picked HOD actually because I sat down and wrote out all my concerns about hsing in general and what I felt like I was searching for and agonizing over compared to what I felt like God was really saying matters. It eliminated several programs that are Christian in nature actually just because one of those things were not using a bunch of secular books to teach Christian principles. HOD really stood out as the best for matching what I felt like God was showing me I needed for my family.

It was that and the fact I bought LHFHG teaching manual to have on the side for combining my two youngest in case my then 5 year old needed more with another program. What I found was the other program was weighing on me and becoming difficult to implement with my two while HOD was a delight. So we just tried using all of it for one day and I had my big duh moment. We have never looked back. We love it and plan to use all the guides up until 8th grade.

So just wanted to let you know we are not all CM naturals here. I probably would not have tried it except for HOD. But I am so glad we did. That CM stuff really works. It's amazing. It is kind of like going with God with little effort vs going against Him with great effort if that makes sense. It just works. HTH

I'll be using LHFHG with my 6 year old next fall. I am not concerned at all that it won't be 'enough'...we'll just add his reading program if needed, or follow the emerging reader's schedule in Beyond...if he has progressed that far by then. That's one of the great things about HOD...you can make it work for your family the way you think will be best! Welcome to the HOD family!

Amey,

Just wanted to welcome you here, so nice to have you!

Candice

Hi Amey! Welcome!!

When we started Little Hearts last fall, my twins were 6. We have loved it!! You can always repeat it in a few years with your 4yo....he probably won't remember all of it. Have you considered Little Hands? I know finances play into your decisions, but it would be a perfect fit for him.

I know you'll love Little Hearts....we have had a great year!
Mel

Hi Amey,

I just wanted to stop by and welcome you! The ladies have already answered you so well, and I am in full agreement!

We're glad you're here!

Blessings,
Carrie