A newbie homeschooler with questions

[MrsKnapp]

Hello Everyone!
I am so excited to find this board of HoD users! I have two sons, ages 5.5 and 4, and a daughter who is 1. We will be starting our first year of homeschool with K in the fall.

I have many questions but for now will just ask one for the sake of time; I have a t-ball to get to in an hour!

I initially wanted to piece together a curriculum until I found HoD. I am thrilled with the things that HoD offers, but am sad at the thought of letting some other options go.

For example, I wanted to do Mystery of History and Apologia Astronomy. They both seem like excellent resources for my eager learners. However, if I do these in place of History for Little Pilgrims and one of the HoD science choices, will it completely unravel the LHFHG guide? I've read that all of the stuff for LHFHG intertwines beautifully together and really don't want to undo that, even if those are great curricula.

For those of you who've used these things or who have already done LHFHG, can I supplement with those things as needed, or would it be introducing things in an odd way or reviewing things too much, essentially making our day longer and my job harder? Also, are these things that can be introduced at an older age?

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on this topic!
Thanks in advance!

[happyhome]

You sound so excited to start homeschooling and I am excited for you! We also have done both the Apologia Astronomy and Mystery of History, plus many more resources. I did those 2 specically with my kindergartener who was very advanced at the time. What I can say is that HOD is better, more at their level, and just the right balance for the day. You can always do those resources later or just for fun. Carrie adds some of them in her later guides as well. At the same time we did those with my ds and dd who were 5th and 6th grade. They work up until junior high- so you have plenty of time. And yes, it would make your day long.

[Gwenny]

Carrie schedules astronomy and the second Mystery of History in RTR. They really are above kindergarten level. I know exactly what you mean about so many things looking good and having to choose. We have to be patient Carrie really picks the greatest stuff and you won't regret HOD. The guides don't take a lot of time so you do have the afternoon for doing fun stuff. I wouldn't try to turn too much into "school" though and overwhelm.
I have the Mystery of History books on CD. The author reads them. That would be a great way to incorporate that if you'd like, just have them listen and color while they listen, or listen in rest time.

[creekmama]

I found LHFHG was perfect for my son when he was in kindergarten. We did it as written--no substitutions. There is a list of supplemental books in the back of the guide. I would pick those up at the library, and we would read them in the evening. Wonderful days! Keep it simple for as long as you can! I am about to start LHFHG with my little girl in the fall!

[frankesense]

There were other resources that I thought were really great before using HOD as well. I even bought them thinking that I'd add them in as extra. But after starting HOD, I've found that what is already scheduled in HOD is enough and we had enjoyed what was already scheduled in HOD that I never have felt disappointed in not getting in anything else. We are completely satisfied! I found that Carrie has picked wonderful resources and has tied everything together so nicely that each guide goes so smoothly when used the way it's written.

Stephanie

[MrsKnapp]

Keep it simple for as long as you can!

You are so right! For some reason (probably my excitement mixed with a slight bit of fear that we won't be covering the same things public schools do) I hadn't thought of that before. Thank you for that bit of wisdom.

And thank you all for your insight. I think I will let it be for now and perhaps add in one or the other over next summer's break just for fun, or even on the cd as was suggested.

Thank you!