New to Homeschooling and New to HOD

[genia]

I am completely new to homeschooling and also new to HOD. Please forgive me for not knowing all of the abbreviations yet
My girls are currently in public school with only about 30 days left in this school year so I am trying to figure out what we will need to buy to start our home-school in the fall.
My oldest is graduating in June and off to college so I will not need to buy anything for her.
My middle daughter is 10 yrs old and currently in 4th grade. She is on target for reading and writing but very behind in math. She is probably working at a 2nd grade level in math. Of course you can imagine how she feels about doing math. I really need to be able to back up and start fresh with math concepts. I would love to see her grasp math and feel more confident in her math skills. I am wondering if PHFHG would be a good fit for her using the Primary Math 2A/2B?
My youngest daughter is 5 1/2 yrs old and currently in a Pre-K program 3 hours each day. She's a quick learner and very inquisitive . She has learned her letters and beginning sounds and also enjoy doing a little bit of easy addition.
I think the LHFHG would be a good starting place her her.
There are come subjects that I would like to combine for both of the girls. But how do I do that?
For example, will the history and science portions of PHFHG be too advanced to use with my 5 yr. old?
Any suggestions would be most welcome!

[lovedtodeath]

Welcome! I am new to HOD also, but having written a literature based history curriculum and done a lot of research, I have a good baring on the books used. A 5 year old can benefit from the readings of Child's History of the World and most of the history readings. From what I have seen it is possible she might be able to join in the readings and experiments in the One Small Square books from the science, and possibly? the Louis Pasture books. From what I have seen of the read alouds, they would be too advanced. There are about 4-5 books in the Deluxe package that a five year old could possibly benefit from as read alouds. I really wouldn't worry about trying to include her though. It isn't necessary.

I don't want to hi-jack your question, but I am listening in. My daughter is behind in math as well. She is just now starting Math Mammoth 2. I need to find out how the grade levels correspond to Singapore. I am excited about the hands on experiments scheduled in the guides. I am also not sure about the Story time, since we haven't done much in that area. If I have to combine the Beyond and Bigger guides then I will do so.

[pjdobro]

Welcome! I can't answer the placement questions, but I did want to chime in and say that LHFHG is a great program and I'm sure your dd with really love it. We haven't done Preparing yet so I have no experience with it. I think your older dd would still enjoy listening in on the storytime in LHFHG. I am a huge fan now of the Thorton Burgess books and Carrie does a wonderful job of incorporating them in the storytime plans. Hopefully it wouldn't seem too childish to your older dd. I enjoyed them quite a bit so I think a 10 year old would too Since both programs that you're looking cover the same history period it might be nice if the two of them can listen in on each other's history readings and possibly do some activities together. I'm not for sure how that will work out but I'm sure someone else can jump in and lead you in the right direction. As far as the math, I would get your older dd to take the Singapore placement test (http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_Test_s/86.htm) and get a feeling for where you need to start. I'm so happy you've found HOD. It's a wonderful way to homeschool!

[genia]

Thanks for the great welcome!
On the Singapore math subject......when I go to the website for the placement test, I see different editions ( 3rd, US editions, Standard editions) which one should I chose?

[pjdobro]

The US edition is the one that I think is normally used with HOD. It's the one we've used and the lesson plans have always lined up.

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board, and don't worry about not knowing the abbreviations - that took me awhile too! Just ask what they stand for, and we'll be glad to decode them (if we can ). How exciting your oldest is graduating - I can imagine that brings such mixed feelings - but, way to go with that noteworthy accomplishment! For your 5 1/2 yo, it sounds like LHFHG would be a good fit for her. For your 10 yo, I do think PHFHG along with Primary Math 2A/2B would probably be a good fit, but just to be sure, taking that Singapore Math Placement test (the U.S. edition) would help you know for sure. Checking out the first page of HOD's placement chart should help you decide if PHFHG is a good fit for your 10 yo, and if LHFHG is the right fit for your 5.5 yo. I did LHFHG and PHFHG a few years ago with 2 of my dc, and I enjoyed that very much. I wouldn't combine them since their ages and skill levels are so different, but you could have your 5.5 yo listen in on the PHFHG Storytime read-alouds if she wanted, as well as the Poetry readings and she could sing the Bible CD too if you wanted. But I'd reserve the other things for older dd - especially the Bible study, as this is where my ds shared his heart so much and would not have if his little brother was in on it. We'd love to hear your thoughts after checking out the placement charts, and we can then chat about different ideas with you until you fine tune your placement and feel like you have a great plan for the year. I think you'll find this board is a wonderful place to be! I visit it often and am always encouraged.

In Christ,
Julie

[genia]

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.
After more research, it looks like the better route is to not combine my girls but rather go with both the LHFHG and the PHFHG. I just hope I can keep 2 programs going at one time!
I've printed the Singapore math placement test's and will be giving those to my girl this weekend.
Now I'm trying to decide if I want to attend an upcoming curriculum fair next week in Orlando. It sounds like fun.... but
I am not crazy about driving in that area.
Thanks again!

[mskogen]

The FPEA convention is wonderful, would be better if Carrie and Julie were there . Once you get to the hotel you don't have to drive. There is a Publix across the street even. We go as a group from Sarasota. The only time we leave the hotel is Friday night. But we may not do that this year.

And welcome to HOD it is great!!!!

[genia]

Thank you for the welcome.
New question.....My oldest (10 yrs old) have never had any cursive training. It's not taught in the public schools in our county.
Where could I start ?

[my3sons]

I'd do "Cheerful Cursive" with her. She can probably pretty much just do it independently. My turning 8 yo is already pretty much doing it on his own, and it's a fun, easy program. My 10 yo did it a few years back, and it has been his only formal cursive to date. He has not needed any additional help with cursive, and his handwriting is quite neat and easy to read. Here's a link to a sample of it:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4180&p=30768#p30768

Here's a link to where to order it from HOD:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/BHFHG-handwriting.php

Both of our boys enjoyed "Cheerful Cursive", and they are quite different from one another. I think your dd would too, and you'd love not having to really teach it.
In Christ,
Julie

[lmercon]

There are several cursive programs offered in HOD. My ds has been using "Cheerful Cursive." It is a great program. He really likes it. The lessons are short and sweet. His handwriting is excellent. The other is "Italic: Book D." I don't have any experience with this program. There are many other programs "out there" that others may use and be able to recommend.
hth,
Laura