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okay... So here is another new homeschooler mom question. I want to keep it fun for my boys and HOD definitely looks like a lot of fun, but what about the math and phonics. Do you find that its better to do these first to get them out of the way or should we spread it out among the HOD studies or just what.

What has worked for you?

Thanks so much,
tiffanie
mom to ethan 11/18/01
mom to Ashton 8/18/03

I try to do them right up front--the wiggles haven't had time to set in yet.

Normally, I like to entice DD into starting school by reading her Bible story and then the activity to go with it. Then we try to do the seat work in the order she chooses and we finish off with the storytime. This works for us since Daddy is willing to help out with reading and math later in the evening if it doesn't get finished before DS wakes up from his nap.

If you're doing Singapore from HOD Carrie set it up so it is fun. But I actually start in different places on different days, just to keep it exciting. However, if your child has a subject phobia, I start with that first to get it over with.

For my dd it worked better to do Math and Phonics first because those are her least favorite things to do. I tried letting her pick what we did first and it turned into a nightmare By the time we got to Math & Phonics she was burned out and it was a battle to get them done. HTH!

Gina

math and handwriting have been a real battle for us no matter when we do them. I try to do them first and then the fun parts.

beandip71 wrote:By the time we got to Math & Phonics she was burned out and it was a battle to get them done. HTH!

Gina

What Gina said is right. What you choose to be last, you need to make sure that your child is not burned out by the time it's started. I usually save a fun thing for last.

Reddy Fox is always last for us--it's dessert!

Since we missed going through LHFHG, we're trying to add in the Thornton Burgess books to our Beyond year. So....we start our morning with a little prayer book I have for children, then we read a chapter in the Burgess book and talk about it. Next we do copywork (poetry, and maybe spelling words), take a break and then it's time for math. Math always comes after break and a little snack, or I serve a small snack at the table while we're doing math.

Each child and each family is different, but this is what works for us--KWIM? Try moving things around to see what works for you with the best flow, and ask the Lord for guidance.

Tiffanie,

The ladies are giving you wonderful advice! I'll also just mention that Charlotte Mason suggested alternating factual/cut and dry subjects with more creative subjects. So, the more factual subjects such as history, math, phonics, grammar, spelling, Bible memory work, and copywork would be alternated with things such as storytime, poetry, literature readings, Bible study discussions, and hands-on activities. We do try to follow that guideline at our house and find it helps keep our kiddos' attention flowing.

Blessings,
Carrie

Jen in Va wrote:Reddy Fox is always last for us--it's dessert!

I love this quote!!!!

P.S. Dessert IS my favorite course!

Carrie wrote:Tiffanie,

The ladies are giving you wonderful advice! I'll also just mention that Charlotte Mason suggested alternating factual/cut and dry subjects with more creative subjects. So, the more factual subjects such as history, math, phonics, grammar, spelling, Bible memory work, and copywork would be alternated with things such as storytime, poetry, literature readings, Bible study discussions, and hands-on activities. We do try to follow that guideline at our house and find it helps keep our kiddos' attention flowing.

Blessings,
Carrie

Tiffanie -
We try to use the balance Carrie described here. We try to rotate between sit-down things to hands-on, get-up-and-move things. This really helps with the wiggles. We do try to do the left side "Learning Through History" part of the plans all in a row, since it all connects so well.

Also, no matter what curriculum we are using, our dc just aren't going to be excited about it all - no matter what order we do it in, or even with all of the fun things Carrie has planned, our dc will still have their favorites and their not-so-favorites, just like we do.

So, I can tell you are a wonderful mom and will be a great homeschool teacher, just don't take it personally if your dc aren't as excited about various parts of their day. If that does happen, chances are it will have very little to do with you or the program, it will more than likely just be your child's preferences of likes and dislikes being made known. That's really one of the best things about homeschooling though... we really know what makes our kids tick (and what doesn't)!

In Christ ,
Julie