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Hello, I am new to homeschooling and 3 weeks ago started doing Beyond with 2 boys boys ages 6 & 7~ We are finishing everything in less than 2 hours and that is with added Rod and staff English-basically I wonder if i should supplement with more-the boys are enjoying it as am I, but my husband is concerned that they won't be on target since we complete the day so quickly-any helpful advice would be great-they are not strong readers and I am trying to bring back their love of learning after two very difficult years in public school-so basically I wonder if I should continue as we are or have many of you who have used this curriculum needed to add to it- God bless and thanks so much -

I think spending MORE time on school will not help bring back a love of learning!

We are doing Beyond, and we are adding Apologia Zoology 1 to it. My oldest gets the most out of the readings, but all of them are enjoying the activities. We've been working on the scavenger hunt and they LOVE it when we spot something on the list.

I haven't been here at HOD long, but the advice I hear over and over again is that adding to the program is not necessary. I am actually trying to figure out how to simplify things here; we still have some extra stuff that is dragging us down (since we switched to HOD after starting some other programs).

If you do need more "school" each day, then spend more time reading aloud, playing math games, going on nature walks, etc.

The introduction to BLHFHG says it should take 120-150 minutes or 2-2 1/2 hours. I think you are right on track. Do you school all at once or break some of the time up? I am doing 3 programs so there is often a computer break or video break so that I am able to work one on one for math and reading with the children. I also schedule in a 30 minute recess. So while it only takes a half hour to complete LHTH and an hour and a half to complete LHFHG and 3 hours to complete BHFHG, our school starts at 9 am and ends at 2 with scheduled computer, video, recess, and lunch time for the kids.
The HOD programs are right on target. Schools only have such long days to fill time. They are required to complete so many days and so many hours by the state. A lot of it is filler time with busy work that really isn't necessary. A lot of times the school turned on cable tv for my kids at school to fill time for indoor recess when it was too hot. They weren't learning anything yet they couldn't go home b/c the day wasn't over according to the state. My kids are just coming out of public school and I can tell you they are gaining and retaining more in their 1 1/2-3 hours of guided instruction than they were spending 8 hours at ps.
If it would make you feel better to draw out your day a bit, schedule some breaks for computer time, educational videos, recess, walks, and such in between the academic portions of BLHFHG.
Val

I would say it takes us about that long as well. I enjoy adding in extras, so that takes up some more time. We did a composer study this year, as well as occasional nature journaling. Next year, I will be adding in artist studies and drawing lessons. With the community sports, homeschool gym program at the Y, and various other activities, I'm glad it doesn't take any longer to complete school.
Laura

If there's one thing that I wish I would have added over the years of my kids being in private school and home school it would be consistent practice of the math facts using flashcards, math games etc. Just 15 minutes a day would greatly help in keeping them on track. I have not had experience with Singapore but I have read reviews that stated a little extra drill would be helpful. But it sounds like you are on the right track.

Oooo, I have some favorite quotes I just had to copy here...

sharonb wrote:I think spending MORE time on school will not help bring back a love of learning!

...the advice I hear over and over again is that adding to the program is not necessary. I am actually trying to figure out how to simplify things here; we still have some extra stuff that is dragging us down (since we switched to HOD after starting some other programs).

If you do need more "school" each day, then spend more time reading aloud, playing math games, going on nature walks, etc.

WigglesMom wrote: The HOD programs are right on target. Schools only have such long days to fill time. They are required to complete so many days and so many hours by the state. A lot of it is filler time with busy work that really isn't necessary.

...My kids are just coming out of public school and I can tell you they are gaining and retaining more in their 1 1/2-3 hours of guided instruction than they were spending 8 hours at ps.
Val

Ditto to all of this! Good advice, ladies! We only add A Reason for Handwriting A to Beyond Little Hearts because my ds needed some cementing of letter formation yet. We add in computer time and audio books, but other than that, that's it! (Unless you want to get into free time and recess choices !) Here's the thing - Beyond is 100% enough on its own - it completely meets state standards, so you don't have to worry about this. Believe me, Carrie was on a LOT of curriculum committees for ps prior to writing her own curriculum - she is all too familiar with state standards. However, Laura and gotpeace had some great ideas for adding things in if you'd enjoy it. Just remember the point is to get your academic bases covered well first, which Beyond does a great job of doing; so, if you're going to add something, be sure it doesn't begin making the day so long dc aren't able to give their time in Beyond their full focus and 100% best. Lately, my motto is not to add anything "schoolish" to school - I do encourage the dc to read for fun before going to bed, which they love. But, other things can be added for a season if they are enjoyable and don't take the place of the time needed to be spent in the HOD guide - composer study, nature walks, art study, computer, exercise videos, etc. are all fun and can be extras if you'd like that! You could even get another set of the Beyond Storytime titles and enjoy reading those in the evening, if you'd like that!

But, you're doing enough, and doing a great job of it! So, keep up the good work and enjoy the time your children can explore and learn the things they're interested in!
In Christ,
Julie

Thank you all so much~ I feel so much more confident now! I appreciate the suggestions for math drills and nature walks-I am not a creative person and rely "on the book" so to speak - I will definitely be going to local education store for some flash cards~And I hadn't thought of nature walks but my boys would probably love that -also I pretty much sit them down and we don't move till its all done -so maybe a little more flexibility with our time and activities might be in order ~THanks again!

krisila wrote:Thank you all so much~ I feel so much more confident now! I appreciate the suggestions for math drills and nature walks-I am not a creative person and rely "on the book" so to speak - I will definitely be going to local education store for some flash cards~And I hadn't thought of nature walks but my boys would probably love that -also I pretty much sit them down and we don't move till its all done -so maybe a little more flexibility with our time and activities might be in order ~THanks again!

We have 3 boys, and moving around the house while we do school has really helped them. Marching to the music as we sing the Corresponding Music, reading Storytime on the couch together, and then moving between tables (kitchen and dining) to do different sit-down things have all really helped add purposeful movement to the day without adding time to the day. We still finish on time, but it gets the wiggles out! Just an idea - and I bet they would love nature walks. We try to do that, but our weather doesn't always cooperate. When we do get around to it, they love it.

In Christ,
Julie