How to choose or what to do...

[rni'smommy]

I am torn on what to do for kindergarten for my ds next year. We have been doing LHTH and Before FIAR this year and he really loves both programs. However, I am worried that trying to do both FIAR and LHFHG next year is going to be to much. Has anyone done this? Any ideas on how to make it work? If not any info that would help me make the deciscion between the two. I like HOD because of the definite Bible emfasis but I love the liturature in FIAR and ds is really into both things to. HELP!!!

[Carrie]

rni's mommy,

The wonderful thing about LHFHG (besides its very strong Biblical emphasis) is that it only takes 90 minutes a day to do. So, depending on what you have going on at your house, you would most likely still be able to do FIAR.

An easy way to do this would be to make LHFHG your primary program and then in the afternoons you could do FIAR. You would most likely not do all of FIAR as written, since there are SO many suggestions in it but would pick and choose those that you really love (knowing that all of your bases are covered through LHFHG).

Or, you could do LHFHG 4 days a week and then just read the FIAR books once per day in the afternoon, saving the 5th day of each week to be your "Do-it-up Big" FIAR day.

Anyway, just some food for thought!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Emilylou]

I am doing LHFHG with my ds5 and we supplement in the afternoons with FIAR and Galloping the Globe. I know we don't have to but my son loves "school"... I actually follow the counties in Galloping the Globe and we do the FIAR books along with whatever county we are doing. Example- We did China 1st, so we did Ping. I spread this out over a couple weeks, since I am on a 4 day schedule because we attend an all day co-op on Fridays.
Hope this helps. For me I am NOT creative at all, so these extra curriculum's just keep me focused on one thing at a time, and I like how I can tie the FIAR books into the counties we are studying. My son is only 5, so we are just doing a very basic survey of each county. Flag, location on map, a few missionary stories, what the kids in each county might do and look like, special holiday's and a couple foods from each place.

[Lori_in_Austin]

I am worried that trying to do both FIAR and LHFHG next year is going to be too much. Has anyone done this? Any ideas on how to make it work?

I am so glad this topic came up!

I did Before FIAR with my then 3.5 year old ds who is now 5, and it really showed me I could really home-educate.... I wanted to continue into FIAR Vol 1, but did not necessarily want it to be my primary curriculum either... After narrowing my choices down to SL, MFW, and HOD (LHFHG), I chose HOD 's LHFHG. I then decided we would get acclimated with LHFHG for a while before adding in FIAR. Well, we have completed the first 5.5 Units of LHFHG and now I think I am ready to add in the FIAR, but not sure how to go about it, or if it was unrealistic to even try as I am really good about taking on too much ("eyes bigger than my stomache" sort of thing).

So I guess all that to say, I am glad to hear other HOD ies are trying to use FIAR as a supplement with LHFHG and the suggestions are great for me. They could not have come at a better time.

And by the way, We are in love with HOD and trying to spread the word to others whenever I can. When my 2yo ds turns 3, I plan to do Before FIAR with him along with HOD 's LHTH (already purchased !). Since I this will be my second time through Before FIAR, it will be an easy add-on to LHTH.

I will keep watching for more posts. God Bless you all.

Lori in Austin, TX