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a few actually -

~I'd like to start Language Arts in grade one. Has anyone else done that, and if so, where did you put it? Maybe I should omit rhymes. How will I ever get this all done everyday with Bigger for my older son.

~My son will have completed our phonics program and is an emerging reader. Has anyone used the Emerging Reader schedule with LHFHG? Any problems? It sounds simple to put in place, what do you think?

I AM TOTALLY COMPLETELY STRESSING OUT TODAY! The very idea of homeschooling two kids, for real, has me in palpitations. Not to mention still trying to be a mommy to two little girls. And this is with a curriculum all spelled out for me!

Maybe I should do the Bigger music with both, too???

I'm of no help whatsoever! I totally admire anyone who has more than one program going on at once!

Have you considered putting both of them in Beyond?? Then you would have the emerging readers, some language arts, and....more importantly....less stress!! You could start R&S grammar in Beyond for your 3rd grader, and use Drawn for your reading program. I'll be using it for 1st and 2nd graders this year, but I'm thinking bumping it for 3rd wouldn't be a problem. If you can somehow keep your older 2 together, it might make it easier for you when your youngers become school age.

Just a thought!

thanks Melanie, I was actually thinking how nice that would be, last night.

However, we are just FINISHING Beyond with DS#1. :S
I can't take him back to LHFHG and DS#2 can't jump all the way to Bigger, I fear.
I did think [for about 2 minutes] of propelling DS#2 up to Beyond [skipping LHFHG] so that maybe they could do Preparing together next year.... but I don't want to skip History for Little Pilgrims.

I need God to put a great big piece of paper on the table for me in the morning with His instructions on it.

momof2n2 wrote: I need God to put a great big piece of paper on the table for me in the morning with His instructions on it.

Oh, that would be sooo perfect! I love that!!!

You need to talk to Julie and Carrie. They both have 2 going on at once, maybe even 3.....can't remember. But, I think you're on the right track with trying to combine some aspects of it and music seems to be a logical choice, and posibly the only choice.

momof2n2 wrote: However, we are just FINISHING Beyond with DS#1. :S
I can't take him back to LHFHG and DS#2 can't jump all the way to Bigger, I fear.
I did think [for about 2 minutes] of propelling DS#2 up to Beyond [skipping LHFHG] so that maybe they could do Preparing together next year.... but I don't want to skip History for Little Pilgrims.

I am thinking that you would not want to skip all the American history in Bigger either for your youngest. First please let me assure you that you could do two programs. Your oldest will have some independent time and that gives you time to focus only on the youngest. The time really does end up over lapping. So first I would really take a good look at what program is best for your youngest on the placement chart based on LA at that age and the stuff Carrie lists as most important.

Then if you wanted to combine and that was really the only thing that felt like you could get some peace, I would think about doing Bigger together but using Beyond for LA and Math. The rest of the program you do Bigger but maybe expect less from the youngest. But personally I would only do that if I felt sure Preparing would work next year. Maybe you could take Bigger at a slower pace and fill in with some extras if you need to like some people do with LHFHG. The programs are pretty flexible so make it work best for your family.

Hang in there. It is sometimes harder to imagine how things will work and easier to do them in reality.

I can't help you with combining programs or with actual experience, but I can tell you what my plans are for my 1st graders next year. I'm planning on doing all of the left hand page of LHFHG, "learning through history" and the right hand page of Beyond, "learning the basics" using the emerging readers. When the LA portion of Beyond calls for copywork of the poem, I'll probably substitute our Bible verse for the week or something similar. I am planning on substituting storytime in Beyond with the storytime in LHFHG because we're really looking forward to reading the Burgess books. I'm hopeful this will work out and then the following year, we'll do Beyond. "learning through history", and Bigger, "learning the basics". At least that's my plan, but I'm fortunate to have two that are the same age and close in ability. I really feel for those of you who have larger age spans and abilities to combine. I have a hard enough time with two the same age with small ability differences!

I need God to put a great big piece of paper on the table for me in the morning with His instructions on it. Rolling Eyes

I would really love that too

I really think that once you get started you will find that two programs will work out. I have not done this yet but will be doing Beyond and Little Hands this coming year and then Little Hearts and Bigger the following year. I also believe that it will take some time to find a routine but it will work out.

The emergent reader schedule is very easy to use with Little Hearts just do that in place of the Phonics box. You already have the schedule and questions in Beyond and Bigger.

As far as the language arts, if you really want to add some in I would add it to the Thinking Skills box. I have found those pages to be short, although very benifical. Also in my mind language arts naturally lends itself to writing.

Now take a deep breath. If you are already teaching your yds to read and teaching your older. You will be able to to this. Yes you can teach two kids and parent two more. You are doing it now. Just in the fall you will have more of a schedule.

HTH
Karen

momof2n2-

I know you can do it! I understand the overwhelming feeling, though.

I am under the impression that LHFHG only takes about an hour, and Bigger...3.5 hours. Someone correct me if I'm wrong! So, as a pp said, you would have some overlap. They could do some subjects at the same time, or you can have one of them work on independent work while you help with what is necessary with the other, then switch. We have done a bit of that this year, and it has worked well on the days we've done it. I plan to schedule it out for next year so we all know what we're doing when. It is my goal to get LHTH and Bigger.. done before lunch each day...we'll see how it goes.

Another thing, you could have older ds play with the younger girls for a while when you're working with younger ds; this would free you up to help him without having the little ones tugging at you. (at least theoretically! ) I know I have done that too and it helps cut down on the noise and interruptions, as well as distractions for the other child. Often, if they can't play quietly while we're working, they are required to play a game or do a task Mommy chooses; that helps cut down on the referee-ing I have to do.

I know it seems like a lot to school two children at once...with two more coming along...but God will equip you. It sounds like you've done an excellent job with both boys so far...and after seeing you with all four in my home, I think you're a great mom. It'll take some adjustments and a period of time to get used to doing two programs, but once you find your rhythm it will work well.

Those are just my thoughts. I hope I have helped to encourage you at least a bit!

WHOA! Slow down, hon'! You can do this! I am totally sure because I have taught LHFHG, Bigger..., and DITHR, happily and quite easily this whole year - and I am not a perfect supermom, believe me. I have other stressors as well - a hubby constantly traveling, a dear baby we've fondly named the "the shriek" as of late, a large editing project - to name a few. I think the key is to begin homeschooling 2 programs in stages.

Why not start the first week or two just doing one page of the plans a day with each of your dc? You could do the left side of Bigger... and the left side of LHFHG the first day, and the right side of Bigger... and the right side of LHFHG the second day, and so on for the first week or two. Then, I guarantee you can bump up to doing it all by week 3 for sure. We started at 9 AM and finished by 12:30 or 1:00 PM this year. And that's with computer time, playtime with dear baby, and playtime with siblings scheduled in too.

You just need to stop stressing about this and saddle up your horse and just do this! I know you can, and I'm looking forward to celebrating it with you when you do! Just get a couple of tubs, and put all of Bigger... and its resources in one of them, and LHFHG and its resources in another. You can even get super-organized ahead of time and put the resources in the order you need to use them in each tub. Set out the supplies you need the night before, and make any copies ahead of time too. Of course, all of that organization will probably not be necessary by week 3, because you're going to see how simple it really is to teach several HOD programs at once by then! I have full confidence in you, and I know you can do this... and do it well, for that matter.

We are our own worst critics as mothers - and there's too many negative people out there already - so let's not put the cart before the horse hon' - jump in with both feet and show what you can do - you're totally able to do this - so jump in and start enjoying the ride!!!

In Christ,
Julie