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Hi. I am new around here. I am a homeschooling Mama to three blessings. Avery is eight, Trenton is six and Isabelle is four.

I plan on placing my order this week sometime. As of right now I am looking at using Little Hearts and Beyond Little Hearts. I am really excited about this cirriculum. I haven't found anything that fits us so well. Every book I had thought to use or had found to use is listed in this cirriculum WHAT A BLESSING!!!

I am going to use Little Hearts for K and 1st grade, and Beyond Little Hearts for 2nd and 3rd. Then Bigger for 4th and 5th. Does that sound like a plan?

Blessings to all.

BlessedMommy wrote: I am going to use Little Hearts for K and 1st grade, and Beyond Little Hearts for 2nd and 3rd. Then Bigger for 4th and 5th.

Welcome to the board! You are going to LOVE HOD! Just wanted to give you a heads up....the programs are designed to be used for either K or 1, and either 2nd or 3rd, and so on. You don't actually use them for 2 years, only one and then move to the next program. Hope I'm explaining that understandably.....clear as mud? You'll catch on quick, especially once you get one of the books in your hands.

I think Little Hearts and Beyond sound like perfect choices for your kids!

Wanted to pop in and say "WELCOME"! I don't have any experience with the older programs yet - we are currently doing "Little Hands" at our house with a 2- and 4-year-old. But just wanted to welcome you to the HOD family!

After I typed that, I read it, and it wasn't very clear. So here goes a hopefully better explanation.

Let's use Avery for example. Check the placement chart first. Decide if she fits into Beyond or Bigger and use that for 3rd and then the next program for 4th and so on. Once you've used one of the programs, it is very easy to move right into the next level. Getting the right placement for your first year is the most important step.

Avery might actually fit better into Bigger and Trenton might be ready for Beyond....you just need to really study that placement chart and then ask as many questions as you can think of!

I kinda figured that they don't have to be used for the two years but I thought with the extension pack I could add more in the second year. We are BIG into unit studies and rabbit trails ( I believe that is what I have seen them called around here... You know... When you are studying the solar system and get caught up for two weeks on the Earth rotating around the sun and the effects that has on daylight savings.....) and are constantly getting off the real topic. I felt like covering each program twice would give more a of complete understanding.

My other problem is that I talked with Carrie (Hi Carrie!) about where Avery is and she suggested using Bigger.... But Beyond seems to fit him in what I have seen for Language Arts and such. HE is a horrible speller (like his mother ) and honestly can't put together a sentence....If Beyond were to seem as though it wasn't meaty enough I thought I could always add on with other unit studies... Maybe a study of his choice.

I honestly like the idea of using the programs two years in a row (of course throwing in different books and such) Is there going to be issues with doing it this way?

Blessings

Hi! It is really not recommended to repeat the programs-each level is designed to prepare your sweeties for the next one. If you really feel Beyond is a better fit, give it a test run-it wouldn't be a loss if you find it is too easy, because you can save it for the youngers
A better idea is stretching the program, moving through it more slowly, like maybe doing one side of each 2-day lesson plan spread per day, which would stretch it out to 2 years, but you might find that pacing too slow-the lessons are so well-written and enjoyable, your sweetie may ask for more

I just wanted to say Hi and welcome to the boards. I am using Little Hearts for K right now and will be using Beyond for 1st next year. It was nice to "meet" you.

Gina

BlessedMommy wrote: HE

Oops...so sorry! Assuming can be a dangerous thing! I've known both he and she Avery's!

Well, I guess you are perfectly free to use the programs however you choose. Don't mind all of us trying to change your mind! I still vote for stretching rather than repeating!

You must have a lot of patience....I am so ready for something new when I finish a book that I can hardly wait to crack into the new books! Seriously...just do whatever floats your boat.

I didn't mean to stress the HE..... Its 11:30 here and I am typing and watching a movie.

I didn't even realize you said she....

Blessings

Hi Adrienne,

It's so nice to see your smiling face. (you know what I mean ) I think you are going to LOVE HOD. It's wonderfully sweet, simple yet thorough.

I can't wait to hear all about your BOX DAY!

Hi Adrienne!

Welcome to the HOD board! We're in the middle of LHFHG and loving it, and we did Beyond last year and also had a great year - so I know you are in for a real treat! I'm glad you are excited to begin. I was thinking that if you enjoy bunny trails and adding in other things, that maybe it would be fun to try doing half of the plans one day, and the other half of the plans the next day. We have done this with LHFHG, doing the left side one day, and then the right side the next day. We really like that! It takes 2 years to go through a program that way, but it sounds like that would be a good match for what you are wanting. That would give you plenty of time to hop off on as many happy bunny trails as your heart desires, and also to add in anything you'd like to as well!

We did both Little Hands to Heaven and LHFHG this way for our middle ds, and it was a super fit for him. However, just about a month ago, we began doing both sides of LHFHG each day - little honey began begging for it, so I knew it would be a good change! If that happens to you, and you end up doing the programs in 1 1/2 years or so, that works great too. The multiple age ranges in HOD give us a little leeway to adjust pacing as needed for our families, and still stay "on track"! I'm so glad you are here, and can't wait to get to know you more as we both go through HOD's programs together!

Adrienne,

Just a quick hello and welcome, we are glad to have you here!

Candice

thought i'd pop in and say HI as well.

Hi!

Welcome! it's nice to meet you. I would agree with others that stretching out a program with rabbit trails or extra books, etc. would be preferable to doing the entire program twice but again, it's your decision. Whatever you decide to do, the ladies here love to help and would be happy to talk things over with you.

Adrienne,

Aren't the moms on this board wonderful! I just wanted to pop in and welcome you! We're glad to have you here. If you have any other questions just ask away, we love to help!

Blessings,
Carrie