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Thanks for the help you all have given so far. I have been funneling and sifting ideas and I have a plan that I'd appreciate you looking over. I have used the placement chart extensively, talked with my DH at length, honestly evaluated my children & our family dynamics, etc. I need to be able to combine 2 of my children so that I am only teaching from two guides. DS8 and DS6 are only 19 months apart but they are farther apart in maturity and academic ability. The oldest is much stronger while the younger has needed more time to mature . DD is almost 5 and she has strong skills already. She's much different than the boys. We are planning to start the oldest in Bigger right away. I have nearly everything I need. He places beautifully in BH and I hope to try DITHR with him after we settle in to a BH routine. He's mid way through 2nd grade and so Bigger will take us partway into 3rd but it's a great fit skill wise right now. There is no sense in waiting until the fall.

DS6 is about half a year "behind" . He started first grade this school year but I had to slow him way down for a variety of reasons. I will think of him as a first grader again in fall of 2011. I think he may move up a grade about mid school year each year. He'll be 7 right before summer. My DD will be 5 this spring which makes her nearly 5.5 in September. My plan is to combine DS7 and DD5 in LHFHG and start this in August or September (when the new school year begins; we take off about 6 weeks during summer). He places SQUARELY in Beyond right now but I cannot run 3 guides. I know my limits and two is going to challenge me this first year. Can I teach LH to those two but use Beyond for "skill content" for him (copywork, grammar 1x week, spelling, etc.)? To me, it seems like it would work out just fine. The next year he'd move into Beyond with her but he'd be doing right side of Bigger (English 2) and the next year he could stay in the Bigger guide using English 3 and increasing the dictation level as needed.

Any thoughts on using LHFHG with an "older" kiddo? Any thoughts or suggestions on what I could or should do to make sure I am meeting him "skill wise" without actually having to use 3 guides in full? I believe he will benefit from the storytime in LH and the devotional is right at his level. Oh, I forgot to mention he is using the ERS now. He may be through that by the fall so I'll have to consider reading as well. I won't want to start him with DITHR until he's at least 8 so that won't be an option for this fall.

Another question swirling in my mind . . . Since I have to wait until the fall to begin Little Hearts (DD isn't ready yet as she's still 4!) I'm not sure what, if anything, I should do with this DS6 right now. He can certainly listen in to his brother using Bigger. He is doing the ERS and his math at a gentle pace. He is also working through the Explode the Code series which gives him handwriting practice every day .

I know that HOD is flexible but I have a lot to learn in that regard. If anyone sees another way that would work better or if my plan is "sound" as far as you can tell, I would appreciate feedback!

Oh, I forgot to mention that DDalmost 5 is just starting LHTH. I think she'll enjoy that as a runner up to starting Kindergarten. I do think she's about ready for reading instruction as she knows her letters & sounds very well. She can write well too!! I am considering using The Reading Lesson with her alongside LHTH.

Thank-you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katrina,

I can't help with much, but I thought I would let you know that we did what you are planning to do with your ds6. We used LHFHG using the left-side and story time and the right side of Beyond for my dc's first grade year. Then for second grade we used the left side of Beyond and the right side of Bigger. Then this year we are in Bigger fully using Singapore 3A/3B and R&S3. It has worked out well for us so I think that is a very doable plan.

Ladies,

You all are so sweet and full of wonderful ideas! I'm enjoying this board so much! The archives are a wealth of encouragement in every way! Please, if you have time, look over my ideas and share your thoughts. I am concerned about placing my DS7 too "low" although I "think" my plan is sound . . .

I really am concerned about doing "nothing" with my middle boy while waiting for his sister to be ready for Little Hearts. If you have any thoughts or ideas for that I'd appreciate it as well.

I read this thread today viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8040&p=58665&hilit=MFW#p58665 and Carrie's explanation of combining causes me to wonder IF I could combine my boys. I'll pray for wisdom here. I really, deep down, think that DS6/7 needs to be the oldest rather than the youngest in the guide he is using. I do feel a tiny bit concerned he'll end up caught in the middle no matter what choice I make. And I simply cannot put my oldest into a younger guide. He needs needs needs the challenge. Bigger is definitely the needed guide for him.

One other question that came to mind . . . what, if anything, do you do with a kiddo who has finished ERS but isn't ready to begin the work of DITHR? Two ideas are: Slow down ERS by using all of the "extras" in the guide. In fact, as I write I know I'm going to do that. Then, perhaps, we'll be ready for DITHR with DS6/7.

We are now expecting #5 which makes keeping these kiddos in two guides all the more necessary. I will be much busier than originally planned.

Katrina,

I think your plan sounds like a good one. From what you've shared, it sounds like your 7 year old is ready for Bigger Hearts. If you do get underway and find it is too difficult, you could always move to the back-up plan which would be to combine both your older two in Beyond. However, I do find that it is often true that the oldest child is ready to be more on his own both maturity and independence-wise and that the second little one in line functions well out from under the shadow of the older child. We have found this to be true at our house as well.

So, with that in mind, I do think your second and third kiddos would combine well in Little Hearts with the addition of some of the right side of Beyond for your 6 year old. This brings up the quandry of what to do with your 6 year old right now so that he continues moving forward. With this in mind, I would definitely have him sit in with the Storytime part of the plans from Bigger Hearts with your 7 year old each day. This will expose him to great literature and cover that portion of the reading standards.

I would begin Beyond's spelling list 1 with him now, since he is reading so well. Then, next year, he can finish the spelling list 1 and move on to spelling list 2. I'd wait on the gentle grammar lessons in Beyond until next fall. I would also add a handwriting workbook for him in addition to the Explode the Code right now. This will help build his fine motor skills. I'd lean toward A Reason for Writing A (if he is able to write words and a sentence at a time).

Last, I would consider having him help be the teacher's helper for your LHTH time, just to see how he mixes with your 4 year old daughter. Plus, this will give him a Bible time every day with good reinforcement in many areas. If you feel that this will be too far "beneath" your son, then another option to consider (which could be the best option) would be to have both the 4.5 and the 6 year old begin Little Hearts now at half-speed. You could then save Little Hands for the little ones for later then. In this way, you could do Little Hearts half-speed to finish out this year and then do it full-speed 4 days a week next year. The only way I suggest this is because you mentioned that your daughter seems like she could be ready for The Reading Lesson. If she's ready for that it is possible she could take something from Little Hearts at a very slow speed.

If you do consider this option, here are some links that may help as you ponder.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5818
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5600

Feel free to pop back and share your thoughts.

Blessings,
Carrie

Welcome Katrina!

It looks like Carrie already gave you some great "right now" ideas for your 2nd little guy! I had some of those bouncing around in my head, but she was much more thorough.

I was going to say that your plan to take the "basics" from a different guide will work beautifully with HOD. Pick up a pack of post-it tabs from your local store, and you'll be able to move right along in the different guides!

Last year, my youngest - then 3, tagged along in LHFHG with us. He did really well doing LHFHG half-speed, and it really worked the best for our family & daily schedule this way last year. I kept Allison moving along with math, phonics, & fine motor skills daily though. So, we were at different places in LHFHG for those. This year Garret is taking another trip through LHTH as a 4 yo, and Allison is finishing out LHFHG full speed on her own. Soooo, we're using the math, spelling & emerging readers from Beyond, and we re-started the FMS plans in LHFHG to do the 1st grade options. Probably sounds a little confusing, but it truly is super-easy to use the framework of the HOD guide plans and then move along in the basics as needed. (And if I hadn't wanted to juggle kids & "customize" I could have just done it as-is from the beginning. )
In 4 weeks, we will begin Beyond and I will do the whole spread as-is except for math. And, I'll follow the LA box just like it is only I'll be using the spelling words on list 15 instead of list 1.
Kathleen

Ladies,

Thank-you for your counsel! My husband and I appreciate it very much! Thank-you for the excellent ideas, the specific helps for DS6 and for sharing the different ways I could combine DS6/7 and DD4/5. I actually like BOTH ideas: using LHTH with DS6 as a "helper" listening in (and doing those skill building activities with him per Carrie's recs.) OR starting LHFHG half speed, moving up to a full speed 4 day schedule later on. I will research that using those links. I didn't think about the 4 days a week at full speed idea and I love it, especially when school picks back up in the fall and we're so very busy (and if a new baby is in the house).

Lots to consider!! Thank-you again for the wonderful help. It is just what I needed and we're almost done with our "orders". Can't wait to have everything pulled together and be fully on board!

Okay, I just read through the linked threads! So good . . . Now, I'm really thinking that Carrie's proposed LHFHG plan is taking the lead as a good plan. I'll open up my guide to consider how the days would run and what the content would be like for both kiddos.

It's hard for me to get a feel for how much The Reading Lesson covers phonics wise. I'm used to the more systematic approach to learning to read (think Orton-Gillingham/Spalding or a reading primer like Phonics Pathways). TRL has kid appeal though and my daughter has enjoyed the generous sample provided on the website. I've been seriously considering it for her as it looks like fun (and so simple)! What do you all use AFTER completing TRL? At what "level" are the children when they complete it? I will go back to that website and read up on that again. They probably tell me that there.

Do you find that not having "written" work is less effective than using something like RME which has written work alongside the reading lessons? RME looks good too so I'm a tad "torn". They are both approaches that are new to me and I need to spend a bit more time figuring them out. My daughter does enjoy "workbooks" but I don't want to overdo it either.

What do you all use AFTER completing TRL? At what "level" are the children when they complete it?

By the end of TRL, it's 2nd grade level, and some kids can go right into emerging readers. My ds needed more practice with the rules at the end of TRL, so he read level 1 library readers for a bit, and we jumped into Phonics Pathways about halfway through, and he's 3/4 of the way through PP and halfway through the ERs now and loving reading.

Do you find that not having "written" work is less effective than using something like RME which has written work alongside the reading lessons?

I think it would depend on the child. I started out with SWR and had to abandon it because ds' fine motor skills were nowhere close to being able to write letters as part of phonics practice, but he was absolutely ready to read. We tried AAS, which was better, but a bit too intensive for *me* TRL was perfect for ds and I. I thought he would need more hands-on activities, but it turns out that he distracts himself with manipulatives, like letter tiles (or MUS blocks - we switched to Singapore and that works better for him as well:D) I'll be interested to see how TRL works for my almost-4 dd...

Hi Katrina! It sounds like you are coming up with such a great plan!
Here is a link to a thread when I asked the question about the differences between Reading Made Easy & The Reading Lesson... I hope it will help you as well!
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3931&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
We ended up choosing The Reading Lesson & LOVE it!!! When finished, we took a super quick run through it one more time & then headed right into the Emerging Readers! It worked great, & we are now starting with our next little girl in line!
I hope this helps a little as you ponder!
Blessings,
Jessica

Jessica,

Thanks for sharing the link and your cheerful review! I am pretty sure that TRL will be a good fit for my DD. It's sitting in my cart . I would like to know whether you used the book only or the book/cd combo. Thoughts? That's the only thing holding me back from moving forward. I don't want to miss out on a key part of the program if using the CD really moves things along or adds something significant. I remember reading somewhere about Carrie encouraging a Mama to get the cd for her child to use with TRL. That gave me pause and caused me to want to consider it.

Thanks again!

P.S. How are you feeling Mama? I'm at the beginning of my pregnancy and anticipate the season of Horribleness to strike next week. I really understand the longing to feel well, to have smiles & energy, to function . . . 24/7 sickness is very overwhelming. I hope & pray you'll pull out soon. I HAVE been praying for you when I'm overwhelmed by the anticipation and start praying for myself .

Oh Katrina- Thank-you so much for praying!! I will be praying for you as well! I have been feeling a bit better this week (although still needing to be on some medicine), so I am feeling very hopeful!

We did choose the book/cd combo for TRL & I'm so glad we did! I am sure TRL is successful without the CD, but it really worked well at our house... it really solidified their learning & was fun for them!! So, if I had to do it again- I would get the CD as well- just because we liked it so much- it is very simple, but for some reason our girls just loved seeing the little "Giggle Bunny" as he helped them learn to read.

You're welcome Jessica and thank-you too!

Okay, well, you're the third Mom (including Carrie ) who has voted for the book/cd combo. That is what I'm going to do. My daughter has loved Starfall and I've no doubt she'll dig the Giggle Bunny .

Woohoo! Having a plan is half the battle!

We did TRL and the CD, too. Loved it here! My daughter thought the CD was fun...and it was good extra practice. When we finished TRL, we moved into the Emerging Readers, and it's going so well. We're now using the spelling in Beyond (while still finishing LHFHG), and phonics rules are reinforced there. Enjoy! I have to say that after using a much more "rule-intensive" approach to phonics with my 1st, I am defnitely enjoying HOD's reccommendations much more!

Kathleen

abrightmom wrote: Jessica,

Thanks for sharing the link and your cheerful review! I am pretty sure that TRL will be a good fit for my DD. It's sitting in my cart . I would like to know whether you used the book only or the book/cd combo. Thoughts? That's the only thing holding me back from moving forward. I don't want to miss out on a key part of the program if using the CD really moves things along or adds something significant. I remember reading somewhere about Carrie encouraging a Mama to get the cd for her child to use with TRL. That gave me pause and caused me to want to consider it.

Thanks again!

P.S. How are you feeling Mama? I'm at the beginning of my pregnancy and anticipate the season of Horribleness to strike next week. I really understand the longing to feel well, to have smiles & energy, to function . . . 24/7 sickness is very overwhelming. I hope & pray you'll pull out soon. I HAVE been praying for you when I'm overwhelmed by the anticipation and start praying for myself .

I'd add my vote for the book/CD. We're trying without the CD, and I definitely wish we had it for reinforcement, and to add some fun factor to the reading time

Praying that both of you will find the strength you'll need in the coming weeks of early pregnancy/school/life! I have just over 2 weeks left until ours is born, and I can definitely say I'm relieved to be at the end of this, rather than the beginning! For some reason, I think I've forgotten how hard the entire pregnancy can be . Four years since my last one was born has definitely dulled my memories of the hard stuff . Hang in there-it's all worth it!!