heartofdakota.com

I am interested in using HOD, I think BHFHG would be the right fit for my K'er, because she is already reading... 3 letter words and sounding words out, I had some Abeka readers that I have been using with her. I am interested in peoples opinions on this, the will be my first year HS so I am a newbie to all this. She is also counting, knows all her number, and can write all her letters. Thanks for the input!

Have you done the placement chart? http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
From the description that you give of your dc, I think you would fit well in LHFHG. You may want to choose some 1st grade options (handwriting, fine motor skills). It sounds as if she is still learning phonics. Counting and knowing her numbers sounds like a great preparation to start Singapore Earlybird Kindergarten 2a. The science and history are fun and has hands on learning as well. The history texts are actually 1st and 2nd grade texts from CLP. The storytime is great with the Thornton Burgess books. Developing the ability to sit and listen to chapter books with few pictures really lays the ground for the later HOD guides.
BHFHG is really for a 2nd-3rd grader or even a 4th-5th grader with extensions. I'm doing BHFHG with my 8 almost 9 dd who is advanced for her age and it is challenging to expose her to the beginnings of independent work, narrating, notebooking, geography, and the read-alouds definitely are stimulating to her. There is a lot of writing and a need to be able to comprehend a lot of reading (both read aloud and independently). I'm thinking maybe you meant Beyond Little Hearts for his Glory. It is the one after LHFHG. I really think some of the skills acquired in LHFHG would help prepare any kindergartener for the steady advancement in the next level.
My dd8 was an early reader. She could read at 3 and tested 3rd grade level reading at 5. However, she still needed to develop the other skills needed for the higher grade levels in math, history, science... Listening for longer periods of time, maturity, math skills. While she could read and understand all the words in a 2nd-3rd grade math, science, or history. She couldn't really do the work of a 2nd or 3rd grader. I would encourage your dc's early reading skills and make sure to keep her reading level on target.
Even in BLHFHG, the emerging readers the dc reads about 10-15 pages aloud a day and finishes a 50-60 page book in a week. I would look at Frog and Toad and see if my child could read 10 pages a day until finished and recall what she had read. This is one of the emerging readers in the list. The emerging readers are meant to be read smoothly, fluently, and without needing too much help from the parent. The child is supposed to have finished phonics study when starting them. They start at reading level 1.8 and go to 3.8 before you are through with the emerging readers.
If it were me and it were my early reader and avid learner (dd8) and we had been doing homeschool when she was 5 and in kindergarten, I would choose LHFHG. Some of this is hindsight b/c I pushed her b/c I thought her quick reading (with no instruction-she just started reading and skipped phonics altogether) and ability to read so well meant she understood all of what she was reading and I realize now that she didn't learn to comprehend all of what she was reading. We are backtracking to pick up these skills late in the game.
Have you downloaded the sample week of the guides as well as the introduction? Each one has a sample week. I encourage you to download LHFHG and read it and go over it as well as BLHFHG to see the difference in the expectations from the dc. The introduction will really help you to see the scope and sequence of the learning.
Welcome and I can't wait to hear more about your dc and see where you think she fits on the placement chart.
Val

Welcome to the HOD Board! I'm so glad you've found HOD, and it is a wonderful program to begin homeschooling with, as well as to continue with.

It sounds like your dd is doing well. Thanks for telling a little about her. The ladies on this board are great about helping each other out, so I know you'll get a lot of great responses. I have a couple of questions for you so we can do a good job of advising you...
1. What is her age and birthday?
2. Is she reading books already like Frog and Toad, Amelia Bedelia, etc.? Or will she be doing another year of phonics?
3. She can copy words, can she copy sentences?
4. How does she do when you read her chapter books without pictures? Can she enjoy this, or does she only like picture books?

If you get a chance to check out the the placement chart and share where you think she falls, that would be super! It's easy to use and accurate (here's that link): http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
All of our initials are similar so it is easy to mix them up, and BHFHG stands for Bigger Hearts For His Glory - I'm thinking/hoping you're thinking of Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory in your post here, but checking out the placement chart will help either way.

I'm so glad you have come to the board, and homeschooling is such a blessing - it is wonderful you will be starting this journey with your dd!

In Christ,
Julie

I was looking through the program selection chart, and I think that my daughter would benefit from the LHFHG, even though she is reading, I can skip some stuff where needed, but I need help, what package do I get? I want something that is all inclusive, and covers everything since this is my first year HS, and I was a little confused on what package to click on? Help!

jamiep111 wrote:I was looking through the program selection chart, and I think that my daughter would benefit from the LHFHG, even though she is reading, I can skip some stuff where needed, but I need help, what package do I get? I want something that is all inclusive, and covers everything since this is my first year HS, and I was a little confused on what package to click on? Help!

I'm going to link you to the page that will help you with ordering. Just click on the light bulb at the top that says "helpful tips for how to order" and that will walk you through it. For example, for a typical 5 yo you'd probably order...
1. K economy package
2. the Family-Time Bible
3. A Reason for Handwriting K
4. The Reading Lesson
5. Kindergarten Basic Package

HTH! But if not, just ask more questions or give them a call at HOD.

In Christ,
Julie

I've never used Unit studies, before. Do you have to do all the lessons separate, or can you do them in the beginning of the day? Just curious, I am very excited about hs my daughter, and I wanted something easy going.. and I think this is it!!

You can break it up however it works best for you. Typically the "Learning Through History" section (left page of the guide) is done together as they all tie in together.

What we do is the history side of the guide together, the Basics together, and storytime at lunch. I would recommend when doing the history portion of the lesson that you start with the history reading and then you can figure out how the rest flow best for you (memory verse, cd, rhymes in motion, art/dramatic/science/thinking).

jamiep111 wrote:I've never used Unit studies, before. Do you have to do all the lessons separate, or can you do them in the beginning of the day? Just curious, I am very excited about hs my daughter, and I wanted something easy going.. and I think this is it!!

How blessed you both are...starting your hs journey with HOD! We are newcomers as well and will start in August. I wish it had been an option
when we began.

Warm welcome,

Jessi wrote:You can break it up however it works best for you. Typically the "Learning Through History" section (left page of the guide) is done together as they all tie in together.

What we do is the history side of the guide together, the Basics together, and storytime at lunch. I would recommend when doing the history portion of the lesson that you start with the history reading and then you can figure out how the rest flow best for you (memory verse, cd, rhymes in motion, art/dramatic/science/thinking).

This is exactly what we do too, and it has worked so well. Keeping the history side together and starting with the history reading is a super way to lay the foundation for what else will be done after it, since it all ties together. The right side is completely flexible, though I think it's nice to rotate between sit-down activities and more hands-on activities for variety. You'll find a fit that works for you! Enjoy HOD - it is a wonderful way to teach homeschooling!

In Christ,
Julie

jamiep,

The ladies did a terrific job of answering your questions, so I'll just pop in to welcome you! We're glad to have you here!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you all for the good advice!