How to begin combining curricula?

[MamaPajama]

Okay, I know I ask a lot of questions, and I'm so sorry about that! Though I am learning not to plan too far ahead, I would love some help figuring out the future of our little school if you wouldn't mind! (Pretty please?)

Since we are essentially starting out, I'm having trouble figuring out how we might combine later on. At first I was really thinking we'd just do different sets for each child, but eventually that means 4 separate sets and I know that will be too much for me unless my kids are just really good at organizing their own schedules and sticking to them. My oldest two are 2 years apart and my youngest two will be 2 years apart in age as well, though possibly 3 years apart in school since DD2 has a June birthday and DS2 will likely have a September birthday. I was thinking earlier tonight it would be nice if I could combine the two oldest and two youngest, therefore just having two curricula per year. For an example, depending on my two little ones' learning styles, eventually we will have children in:
6th, 4th, 2nd & K
-OR-
6th, 4th, 1st & PreK
-OR-
6th, 4th, 2nd & PreK
(Is everyone following this?)

Just to start out, I know my son (6) is ready for BLHFHG. We might have to do it half time, but he's definitely advanced past LHFHG. My daughter (4) will be doing LHTH this year. Is it possible to combine them later on without making one advance too quickly or one be too slowed down?

[MomtoJGJE]

You could do your DS in Beyond half speed 4 days a week while you go quickly through LHTH (doing 8 days in a week, or 3 units in two weeks or even more if she's up to it) and then full speed LHFHG with your #2...

Of course, you could combine them both in LHFHG now doing the K options with your DD and 1st grade with your DS just to go ahead and have them combined.

[MamaPajama]

You could do your DS in Beyond half speed 4 days a week while you go quickly through LHTH (doing 8 days in a week, or 3 units in two weeks or even more if she's up to it) and then full speed LHFHG with your #2...

Of course, you could combine them both in LHFHG now doing the K options with your DD and 1st grade with your DS just to go ahead and have them combined.

I thought about the last thing you said, but I don't think DD is ready for LHFHG just yet. I had originally intended on doing preK with her this year, but since we were just figuring out how our schedule was going to work with one, and since she was only 3 when we got started, I let her have another year to just play. She does to worksheets from time to time, and she plays with Cuisenaire Rods and pattern blocks. Sometimes she answers DS' math problems before he does, and she can write the letters of her name. But overall I think LHTH is much more realistic for her. I know she will LOVE the fingerplays and such, and that way my DD2 can participate in some of it too, which she will enjoy.

I suppose a lot of this will hinge on how well DS does this coming year. If he picks up on BLHFHG no problem, we'll probably proceed at full speed and just figure out the details later. If not and we end up doing half-speed, I may give your first idea a shot. My DD is very smart and I can totally see her picking up on LHTH very quickly, so who knows?

[my3sons]

For combining overall, it's easier to beef up for the older than tweak down for the younger, which meshes with HOD's philosophy of adding extension packages for the olders beginning in Bigger, when those olders have their 3 R's down well. So, if you are really wanting to combine, the best thing to do would probably be to do LHFHG half-speed with your older, having little sis' listen in, also do LHTH with your younger, and get the little one reading/writing as soon as possible. However, if you are thinking that you want more than half-speed LHFHG for your ds right now, and that you are wanting Beyond for him, than I think I'd start that and see how it goes. If you do that, and he is flying through half-speed Beyond, you may just want to up him to full-speed because it may just be easier to do so then. These are just a few thoughts I had, but you will know what meshes best with your goals.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

MamaPajama,

You've already had some good suggestions, so I'll just mention that many families find that their oldest child is ready-to-go academically and typically that child receives more of your teaching time too making them even more ready (as they're first in line for school). So, it likely would work well to just get that child going where he/she fits best now. Then, it often works well to combine the next kiddos in line (if they are fairly close in age). So that would be a definite consideration for you as you go along. At HOD, we actually plan for you to be able to run multiple guides. Many moms find that once their oldest is moving through the guides (and they are familiar with HOD), it is easier to add a second guide (and even a third guide) the next year and feel comfortable doing it!

Blessings,
Carrie