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to see if you ladies think what I want to do is the right thing.

I am a mom to six (going into 7th grade ds, 6th grade ds, 5th grade ds, 1st grade dd, 4yo dd, and a 2yo dd). This will be our 6th year of hsing. The main curriculum we've been using over the years have been My Father's World and Five in a Row.

Everyone here is so nice about answering questions, and I have been enjoying reading this board.

Here is my plan for my olders:

I would like to do Preparing w/ the extension packs. I will add the history textbook that was recommended on an earlier post I saw for my 7th grader. He will also do Apologia Science and Pre-Algebra. I'm thinking about adding in harder dictation lessons for him, but I will wait and see what preparing has first. I will keep the science and history lessons "as is" for my 6th and 5th graders. We will also do DITHOR.

Before I even knew this existed, I bought the R&S books one grade level below their grade level. They are so much harder than what we've been doing, that I'm a little worried. We have always used Primary Language Lessons, Intermediate Language Lessons, and then this year we used Sandi Queen's Language Lessons. We've had very little formal writing. My kids are very used to dictation and copywork (even though they really don't like it ).


My first grade dd will turn 7 at the end of November. School for her has really been pushed to the side, and I haven't devoted as much time w/ it as I should have. She is a quick learner, and we will continue reading lessons w/ her through the summer. At the moment she can read and write cvc words. We bought both the LHFHG and Beyond to compare. We really don't feel like she will be ready to do Beyond until the middle of 1st grade. I think the grammar, spelling, and copywork are just a little too much for her right now. So the plan is to do LHFHG with the math from Beyond. When she is done w/ her phonics; I will add the emergent readers and spelling schedule from Beyond. I might add small copywork assignments if needed later in the year. We also feel that the time requirements in LHFHG are a better fit for her.

This was a hard decision to make after seeing a lot of people w/ 5yos doing this program, but I think it's a really good fit. I am confident we will both learn so much from this program.


Well, that's about it. What do you think?

Blessings,
Missy

Hi Missy! Don't know if I've officially welcomed you yet, soooo....

WELCOME

I think your plan sounds great. I used Little Hearts this year and my twins turned 7 in Dec. right after we started. My youngest had turned 5 the April before we started. It was a perfect fit for all 3. I was using a different reading and math when we started, so that wasn't a factor for us, but I have since started Singapore and plan to use ALL of Beyond for this year.

You know your dd better than anyone and I think you've made a wise choice.
Mel

Hi Missy and welcome!

Don't worry about your dd being 7. My dd wasn't ready for LHFHG at 5, she will do it at 6 but maybe only at half speed at first. every kid is different and you will quickly know whether you are using the right program. You can easily slow it down or speed it up a bit if you need to, to get the right fit for her.

I think your plan seems just right!

Welcome Missy.

I think it sounds like you know what you are doing! My ds is 8 and I just ordered Beyond for him. I was a little concerned about that because I saw all sorts of people who had younger children in Beyond, but after getting all the wisdom from this board, I realize it is better this way for us.

I am sure you will love this curriculum! I look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi Missy, WELCOME!
One thing I am appreciating here is a lot of moms saying that they are encouraged to place their children WHERE THEY BELONG developmentally, instead of where they "should" be according to age or where they want to be in a 'history cycle'. Someone said the other day that she was not going to stress about putting her daughter in one level instead of another, because she can't do the higher level. So why frustrate child and mother? I am just encouraged that that is the thinking here, to really look at our children's abilities and place them accordingly, instead of PUSHING them.

I for one am glad God is the perfect Father. He never puts me where I don't belong, and He never gives me more than I can bear. The ladies here encourage me to take that same principle and apply it to my own children. I am a recovering "pusher" but am slowly learning to let my children grow without shoving, LOL! I think it sounds like you have carefully evaluated the curriculum and found exactly where she belongs and will thrive! GOOD JOB!!!

Missy,

I know more moms will pop-in here, but I wanted to let you know that your plan sounds wonderful. If I had talked with you to help you figure it out... I would have told you exactly what you're doing!

I also wanted to welcome you and just let you know we're glad to have you here.

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Missy! Welcome from another mom of six.

I wanted to say that your plan sounds wonderful. I really think those younger years are really critical for placing by ability and LHFHG is so flexible. It is very full. I would really not have any problem doing it with a 7 year old in fact I may end up with one turning seven while using it. I am using it slowly with a 4 year old and a six year old now. I am finding even though there is a difference there in phonics etc. it is still a perfect fit for both. There is plenty there and if you want more just check out the appendix. And someone just asked me about Preparing with older children so I hope she sees your post. You did a great job and I am excited to hear how you love HOD when you start!

Welcome!

Thank you! I'm feeling much more confident in my decisions for next year! I can't wait for next year. I haven't been this excited about school since our first year.

Blessings,
Missy