heartofdakota.com

Hello,
I'm planning to use Bigger with my 7 and 9 yo daughters next "year". Over the past 3 years we've studied ancients and middle ages using various resources. I'm SO excited to focus on American history next year. I know my girls are going to love all the wonderful books and so many other components of Bigger (they love to memorize and recite poetry). I'm especially excited about all the wonderful discussion questions to help us apply the Bible verses to our lives. The 7 yo has made big leaps with reading this year, she's currently reading The Sword in the Tree and loving it. The 9 yo is never without a book and can read anything, she did cartwheels when I showed her the booklist for the extension.

We're also switching from Horizons math to Singapore. My older daughter has already started b/c I didn't like the way Horizons taught the metric system, she really seems to "get" the Singapore lessons. My 7 yo has only 12 lessons to finish her math and then we're going to concentrate on speeding up her math facts before we start a new book.

I also have a 4 yo who is doing well with phonics and learning to write her letters. She's also using the Singapore preschool math (all the girls used this). I'm actually thinking of going ahead and using Little Hearts with her. She's so ready to do more, I have a difficult time limiting her pages in Singapore and Kumon workbooks. She loves to be busy and gets into mischief when left to herself for too long. I think the time we'll share doing Little Hearts will be really special for us, much better than just doing another page of a workbook!

I may add a rising 1st grade boy to the mix. My neighbor has asked me to teach him next year (he's in PS now and she's a PS teacher). I'm praying about it, nothing is decided and I'm not sure where I'd fit him in. He's a bit advanced b/c she works with him every night.

I'm just so excited about starting Bigger, I don't know how long of a summer break we'll have. Our current year is running long b/c my mother-in-law lost her 7 year battle with cancer in January. We took several weeks off here and there to spend time with her and I'm thankful that homeschooling gave us the flexibility to do so.

I look forward to getting to know the different names on the board. I know I'll be on with lots of questions once we get underway, I've already learned so much from reading the old topics.

Blessings,
Jen

Welcome to the board, Jen! I am also doing Bigger next year with my 7 and 9 year old daughters and Little Hands with my almost 3 year old daughter.

Welcome to the board! I will be doing Bigger starting the first of June with my two boys, 7 and 9. I can't wait It is going to be a great year
We will be finished with Beyond next week

Hi and welcome!
I too will be doing Bigger with 8 and 9 year old girls (they have summer b-days). If you do teach your neighbor's son, you may be able to combine him and your daughter in LHFHG. LHFHG has kindergarten and 1st grade options. If I read it right, he is going into 1st. Or is he going into 2nd?
LHFHG is great! The storytime books are such fun and we are enjoying it so far. I am doing it with a 6 yr. old son. It is such a fun, well paced program that is just enough for a young child without being too much.
Again Welcome,
Val

I too am new to HOD and will be combining LHFHG and Beyond for my soon to be 6 yr old!! I can't wait to get started and am planning on starting this summer to get ahead of a fall move the family will endure!!
Kirstin

Hello!

Your 4 year old will like Little Hearts. I started it with my daughter when she was still 4 and she is enjoying it. We love the scripture memory, Burgess books, and Bible time. Let me ask, is your neighbor's son well behaved? I ask that only for the fact that trying to teach a child from public school who is not your child may be a lot of stress. It is good you are praying about it. I have thought about offering to teach for a family in our church but I can't right now as I am also doing day care. Too much on my plate but maybe someday. I hope you enjoy HOD

Welcome to the boards. You'll find the women here are friendly, helpful, and encouraging.

Hi Jen, and welcome the board! We did the Bigger Hearts and Little Hearts combination 2 years ago and loved it. It was such a growing year for both of our dc. You may want to consider going half-speed with your dd doing LHFHG, but it does sound like a good fit for her. As far as homeschooling another child - I think you are wise to pray about it. My sister and I tried to homeschool each other's children while we job shared - one was at the job, one was homeschooling. We tried it out when our dc were quite young and decided as much as we loved each other's dc, it just was not the same as homeschooling our own. I can imagine it might be difficult having to answer to someone else's expectations, especially if they are not family. But, you will know what is best for your situation! Enjoy BHFHG and LHFHG - they are such fun to do and jam-packed with learning!

In Christ,
Julie

Jen,

I just wanted to pop-in and welcome you to the board! We're glad to have you here. It sounds like you have a great plan in place for next year. We did the LHFHG/Bigger Hearts combo. last school year and really enjoyed ourselves. We pray it will be a good fit for your family.

We look forward to getting to know you better.

Blessings,
Carrie

Welcome to the boards! The ladies here are wonderful and helpful.There is no need to be shy to ask for help or advice when needed, all are so willing to help.
May you be blessed this year!
Joyanna

Jen,

I wanted to pop in and say hi to you, too! My son, Grant, and I are finishing Bigger this coming week. It has been a great year!! I know you'll have a blast with your girls. I love that your oldest was doing cartwheels looking at the books she was going to read.

Kathleen