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Hi,

My primary question is about my 6yo rising 1st grader - When I use the placement chart - she definitely fits into Beyond for reading and handwriting. She loves copywork! However, her challenge areas are in listening comprehension and verbal expression. I am leaning toward LHFHG for her which I think we be perfect for her in every respect except that I think she would really enjoy the copywork and artwork of the Beyond book. I read that some use the left side from one level and the right side from another level - but how does it all work out in the end? Do you keep on using two manuals? I really don't want to make it too hard for her, but she is very fast in certain areas and tends to get bored. I have also thought of just adding in extra daily copywork and art to LHFHG, would that be a better way to go?

Thank you so much for reading this and taking the time to help us!

Sandra

I think what you said about your 6 yr old doing LHFHG with extra copy work and art sounds like a good fit if she fits better into that guide. It seems it is easier to make a guide a little more challenging if you need to, then trying to lessen it. Don't want to make anything too hard, but we do what a challenge.

My son has used LHFHG this year and halfway thru he is in 1st grade Math and started Emerging reader.(i guess we are using it for Kindergarten) We actually started some the previous year with Left side, because his b-day is in October. He turned 6 this past year. i have started him with copywork this year. Being a fall b-day, he was able to do the language and math at more challenging rate, but he was definitely not ready for the History side til this past fall. We even do some extra science as we feel like it.

HOpe that helps. Welcome to HOD!

JEnn D.

Thanks, Jenn. I think you are right - adding to make it harder is better than making a hard program easier. I appreciate your comments!

Sandra

I started Beyond with my 6 year old last fall and had to drop back to LHFHG after about 3 weeks, for the same reasons you indicated with your child. He was a good reader (3rd grade level, at least), can do copywork all day long, etc. His challenges were with listening to the book without pictures and narration. Little Hearts has been such a blessing for us this year and it has really prepared my ds to go on to Beyond this coming fall. I think you will be very happy with Little Hearts.

As for beefing up, we did add CLE Science to ours and we did not do the dramatic play. This was specific to what my son needed and liked/didn't like. You can tailor the program to fit your needs very easily.

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for the help. I appreciated hearing your experience - it does look like LHFHG is the way to go! By the way, I just received the HO book from you in the mail today (yes, it's me from "the other" forum ) It is fabulous! Thanks so much,

Sandra

Oh good, Sandra! Glad you got it and it is to your liking.

Sandra,

It looks like you have come up with a good plan. From what you've shared, it does sound like LHFHG will be a good fit for most areas. You will likely want to use the Emerging Reader's Set and schedule from the Beyond guide in the Appendix (if your daughter is ready for that) and also start the spelling list 1 from Beyond when your daughter begins the Emerging Reader's Set. Then, when you move into Beyond the next year, you could use Spelling List 2 (in Beyond) and move onto Drawn into the Heart of Reading Level 2/3.

As far as copywork goes, you can easily use the copywork from the poetry in Beyond, however you may wish to save it until you do the poems with Beyond. If that is the case, then you could easily use A Reason for Handwriting A (as scheduled within Beyond), or Italic B (which is also scheduled within Beyond), or you could use your own handwriting option instead.

You'll also want to use the art projects within LHFHG, saving the projects within Beyond to do with the history in Beyond (as each set of projects is specifically keyed to match the history readings from that guide). We pray you'll enjoy LHFHG as much as we did last year with our own son!

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Sandra, and it looks like you are well on your way to having a super plan in place! I think LHFHG would be great for your main program. Getting the Beyond guide and doing the Emerging Reader's Set and Spelling List 1 would be a wonderful way to up those areas for him, without causing yourself to always have to use 2 guides. The next year, you would just use Beyond, Spelling List 2, and DITHOR 2/3 - all from the Beyond manual. I had one other thought about the copywork in Beyond. While doing LHFHG this year, why not have ds just do half of the poems, and finish the other half the next year? You could have him copy the poem and then have fun using his creative ability to artistically illustrate the poem, spreading this out over 2 weeks. My middle ds would love this - and I would love the beautiful poetry book he'd end up with at the end. Just an idea! Have fun with HOD - it is such a blessing in our home and is sure to be in yours as well!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you for your help!

One other thought on the copywork. When we did LHFHG we did not even know about copywork, but we ended up doing copywork when we did the art project every week. We placed the art in a "Picture Story Book" and since there were lines on the opposite page we had the kiddo's copy part of the key idea into the book. You can always have your dc copy the scripture verse of the week unto the paper and at the end of the week also copy the scripture verse to send of to a family member or friend. My son had the greatest time copying his memory verse and so many people were really blessed receiving it. I started off having him write only his name on the envelope as well, moving onto writing the whole address and finally addressing the envelope to whom he was sending it, putting the stamp on it, praying for the person and running to the mail box to send it off. He got a kick out this every week.
I made up a little letterhead, if you are interested in seeing it just pm me.
Succes and you will love doing LHFHG and enjoy the activities and getting prepared for Beyond the year following, especially since you will get a sneak preview while doing spelling etc.