LHTH- for Kindergarten questions

[Rebecca]

Hello!
I am considering LHTH for my daughter's kindergarten year. This year- I had her somewhat combined in LHFHG with her older brother- but that didn't last very long. She has much preferred playing with her just turned three year old brother. I found it too much to try to teach two to read, have an emerging reader, a nursing baby, and do all I need to do... we have had a very difficult and challenging year. Next year, I will be formally starting her phonics lessons.
I do not want to start her in LHFHG next year- because I prefer the idea of taking a "year off" between programs- and little three year old will not be ready. I have also found that I need to combine with my large family in order to survive!!!

Next fall- she will be five (she turns five in May) and she has a brother who turned three this past February. So they will be 5 and 3 1/2. I will be teaching Preparing with my eight and nine year olds, Beyond with my 6 year old who turns 7 in Nov.

What can I do for her- to give her a rich kindergarten year that is time conscious? I appreciate any ideas.

My new signature looks like this: I will update my old one later...
DS 8- Bigger(reading many of the extension books on his own), Rod and Staff 3, WWE 2, SM 2, Spelling Wisdom
DS-7 Bigger, Rod and Staff 2, WWE 1 SM1, Emerging Readers, Copywork(poems from Beyond guide)
DS-6 Little Hearts for His Glory, Reading Lesson, Memoria Press Copybook 1, SM earlybird 2A,2B
DD-4 sometimes SM early bird 1A/1B, Reason for HW K, Do it Carefully, Read Aloud after lunch
DS-3 Read aloud after lunch
DS- 10 months

Thanks ladies,
In Christ,
Rebecca

[Kathleen]

Rebecca,

I think your plan sounds great!! (I also have a little gal that is turning 5 in May! We'll be moving into LHFHG this fall...because we're currently doing LHTH.) I have added some phonics, very s--l--o--w--l--y with her since Christmas. If I were you, I'd enjoy LHTH with your 2 little ones. It really only takes 20-30 min per day to do, and we enjoy it to the fullest! I think with how time-conscious that is that you could easily add in phonics and math for her apart from her brother. Since you have Singapore EB 1A and 1B, you could finish those, and then I'd move into EB 2A with Carrie's activities in LHFHG. Depending on how her handwriting is going, you could get the HW K book to do again or try something else. I'm considering getting a ETC book for Allison. I know that they have quite a bit of writing (and reinforce phonics). Maybe ETC could be your handwriting for the year. Allison LOVES to write, so that wouldn't stress her out. My boys are another story...

I don't know what all is on the right side of the plans for LHFHG, but my guess is that you'll want to add most of those things. Then, when you do LHFHG, you'll use most of the right side of Beyond, etc. If it were me I'd save the Reddy Fox read-aloud for when you're doing LHFHG though.

I'm sure you'll get a good plan going! You already have WAY more experience than me!
Kathleen

[my3sons]

So they will be 5 and 3 1/2. I will be teaching Preparing with my eight and nine year olds, Beyond with my 6 year old who turns 7 in Nov.
What can I do for her- to give her a rich kindergarten year that is time conscious? I appreciate any ideas.

Rebecca - I think you have a good idea to do LHTH with her, adding in phonics, the math from LHFHG, and A Reason for Handwriting K or A. (I think I'd just stop the math and HW you've been doing with her right now, and pick it up wherever you are next year - aren't you the dear whose family has had some nasty Influenza hanging around? Wish I could give you a hug or a hand - but since I don't live near you, I will pray, pray, pray.) Anyway, next year she can listen in on the Beyond read-alouds - I agree with Kathleen that you'll want to save the Thorton Burgess read-alouds for the next year when she does LHFHG.

I think that's enough - and what's more, it will be fun and it will not take much time! She will love LHTH! I'm glad she won't have to miss doing it. Then, the next year, you can do LHFHG as it is written with Handwriting A (or with Explode the Code Workbooks if she has finished A) and the Thinking Skills workbook. You could either finish phonics or if she is ready, start the Emerging Reader's set with her. You could use Beyond's plans for this - as well as for the Math 1A/1B if she got that far. Then, you'd be on a very nice pace with her to use the guides as they are written and to fit her needs well.

Your plan for you olders sounds good too - just remember, everything seems overwhelming when you are not feeling well. This will pass, and then things will go more smoothly. Do you take the summer off? I know everyone has different thoughts about that, but for us, the summer is a very needed time to refresh and relax (and do all of those house projects I don't ever seem to get to during the school year).

In Christ,
Julie

[Rebecca]

Thank you so much for replying to this...

AND THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!!!! Julie, thank you so much!!!

I am praying and pondering... and I am so blessed to be using HOD!!

I organized my bookshelf- so I think I will go with LHTH, Do it carefully/other Rod and Staff wkbks, Handwriting K, Reading Lesson, SM EB 2A/2B and literature read alouds. I am going to stop her book work now(it hasn't been happening consistently at all anyway) and pick up when we start our new year and just continue to read aloud to her.

Thanks again,
Rebecca

[my3sons]

Thank you so much for replying to this...

AND THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!!!! Julie, thank you so much!!!

I am praying and pondering... and I am so blessed to be using HOD!!

I organized my bookshelf- so I think I will go with LHTH, Do it carefully/other Rod and Staff wkbks, Handwriting K, Reading Lesson, SM EB 2A/2B and literature read alouds. I am going to stop her book work now(it hasn't been happening consistently at all anyway) and pick up when we start our new year and just continue to read aloud to her.

Thanks again,
Rebecca

God is faithful - a God who desires good for us - so glad He's given you a peace and direction about this, Rebecca. I think you will be pleased with this plan. Besides, LHTH is too great to miss if you can help it! I was also glad to read you and your family are feeling better and on the tail-end of sickness. May God bless you and your dc with good health and a renewed strength.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Rebecca,

I think your plan for your 5 year old sounds perfect! You may wish to use the hands-on lessons from LHFHG along with the Earlybird math just to cement those concepts (since you already have the LHFHG guide).

Blessings,
Carrie

[Rebecca]

Thank you Carrie!
I always "feel" better when I "hear" from you and Julie.
Rebecca