Just ordered Little Hearts!

[Samuel'sMommy]

I talked to DH and decided to go ahead and order Little Hearts to start in January instead of waiting for fall. I'm so excited to be coming back to HOD! We've been using Sonlight's LAK so we're going to continue with parts of that that are working -- mainly the Explode the Code books, A Reason for Handwriting K, copywork assignments, and some of the phonics activities -- until we're done with it. Other than that we're going to stick with HOD for everything else. I want to stretch LHFHG out to last the rest of this year and through next year (his kindergarten year) as well if possible. I think that what I'm going to do is do the full guide 3 days a week and on the other days just do phonics, handwriting, math, etc. Then I'll just add in emerging readers, ARFH A, and Singapore 1 when we get to them. Has anyone done it this way or have any suggestions on making it work? Another reason I'm thinking 3 days a week is that starting in the fall we are going to be doing a co-op 1 day a week from 9-12 and will probably make that our library day also since we'll already be out of the house and I really don't want to have to fit in extra school that day also. Then on the other day, I'm hoping to fit in some Charlotte Mason extras like picture study, composer study, nature study, and probably just read through some of our SL books that we haven't gotten to yet. What do you guys think?

[my3sons]

I'm so happy for you that you've been able to order LHFHG and won't have to wait any longer to start it. There are so many different ways families are using HOD, and that is due to its flexibility. I understand the reasons for trying it 3 days a week, and about the only concern I'd have is that you may not ever really get into a rhythm with it that way. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who's done it this way to see what they think, just as much as you would be. I did do LHTH just 3 days a week and enjoyed that with one of our older dc. Now with our youngest I'm doing LHTH half-speed daily, and I like that too and feel the carryover is a bit better. I think I'd try it 3 days a week (keeping the daily phonics and HW for sure), and see how it goes. If after trying this, you feel that more routine would be helpful, then you could always do it 4 days a week at that point. I think you will thoroughly enjoy LHFHG - it is such a wonderful program and was a great, growing year for both of our dc!

In Christ,
Julie

[Mommamo]

We did Beyond 3 days a week for a while and it was fine. Caroline just knew what we were doing when. She is such a creature of routine so it was okay with her. It would help though to have those three days all together. So know that you're going to do it on T, W, Th, and then M and F you have off or however it works with your co-op. FWIW we are back to doing Beyond daily, but we're doing it half speed. That ended up working best for our life at the moment. In January we're going back to full speed, 5 days a week.

I'm so glad you chose LHFHG!! You're going to love it. Caroline has such great memories of doing it, and we made a scrapbook of all her work from it and we love looking back at it. Enjoy!!

[Carrie]

Stephanie,

How exciting! I'm so glad that you'll get a chance to use Little Hearts for His Glory! We pray you will enjoy it as much as we have. We finished it last year with my third little guy and are now into Beyond, doing it 4 days a week. The ladies in this thread gave you some great things to ponder as you strive to find the right fit with HOD for your family.

As always when you do a guide at less than full-speed, you can expect the carry-over to be less than if you'd do it full-speed. However, we have enjoyed doing LHTH and LHFHG at half-speed and at full-speed at our house in the past too and have been happy with the results. We'll look forward to hearing about your Box Day when you receive your materials in the mail!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Samuel'sMommy]

Thanks everyone for your input! I may just go ahead and do Little Hearts 4 days a week since everyone seems to think retention would be better that way. I may just split up our extras (composer study, picture study, nature study) and do one each day instead of setting aside one day a week for them. It may be better that way anyway. One of the main reasons I was doing 3 days a week was just to stretch the guide out, but after thinking about it some more, he may not need any extra time and if he does, we can always drop down to half speed. His birthday is in March anyway, so even if we finished Little Hearts by the end of this calendar year instead of the school year, he wouldn't be too far under the age range of Beyond.

[Carrie]

Stephanie,

I think you could easily do as you had planned and start with three days a week and see how it goes. Then, if you feel the need for a bit more in the way of retention you could always bump up to 4 days a week. The guides are so flexible that way! It's always good to try your original plan and also to have a back-up plan in mind. You may find you just love it 3 days a week, and if Samuel is on the young side of LHFHG it may be just right. Then, next year you can assess again and see if he's ready for more.

Blessings,
Carrie

[pollo_la]

We do LHFHG 3-4 days a week (depending on the week) and it has been absolutely no problem for us. We have a Bible study that we go to on Tuesday mornings, and we have been doing that instead of school on that day (although we still do reading and math in the afternoon). Some weeks I just feel like taking a break at some point in the week and we go out, or we do some other fun things for school instead (like bake cookies!).

[Candice]

Welcome back, Stephanie!

And...

Congratulations, Laurie! I see (in your signature) you will be welcoming a new baby-girl blessing!

Candice

[my3sons]

I'm so glad we heard from some ladies doing exactly what you are wanting to do, Stephanie. It sounds like the ladies doing LHFHG and/or Beyond 3 days a week are enjoying it immensely and their dc are retaining well. So, I do think you may as well start out with your plan and see how it goes! Thanks for sharing, ladies, that is so helpful!

In Christ,
Julie