Started LHFHG today...a few questions

[Mandy]

Hi! We just started LHFHG today with my 4 yr. old dauther (she turns 5 later this month). She was so excited to get started, and we had a really great time! I just had a few concerns. One, it seemed like a lot for us to fit in at this time. I'm not sure why. It didn't look like too much. But, now I'm wondering if we should do it half speed (a page a day instead of 2). I have a 2 yr. old son as well. He joined in on some of it. It took us much longer than the 90 minutes. Going half speed seems fine since she wouldn't technically start kindergarten until Fall and it would draw out the curriculum hopefully to last til we're ready for the next. However, I'm also concerned about slowing the Math down. Already, the Early Bird Math seems too slow for her. We're starting with numbers 1-5, when she can pretty much count to 100 and recognize numbers through 30. But, the Early Bird covers time and measurement that we haven't hit on much. I don't want to skip it and her be frustrated, and I don't want to go to slow and her be bored. If I slow to half speed, the Math will be way too slow. But, if I jump ahead and keep going, I will be completly off on my pages (that kind of stuff really frustrates me So, anyways, a lot of random thoughts. I guess I'm just wondering if others have gone half speed and how you've done it. And, if anyone else has had these questions about the Math. I'm really looking forward to this year, and to "getting to know" you all on here!

Thanks!
Mandy

[Mercy]

I found starting for a few weeks at half speed really helped us to get a.feel for how the program worked. Then, as you begin to know what to expect, all of a sudden you will zoom through your
day.

Enjoy this year with your darling!

Mercy

[tjswaine]

Happy first HOD day!

Here are a few thoughts for you:

The first half of LHFHG uses the Family Time Bible and History for Little Pilgrims (occasionally) for the History reading. These are wonderful resources for younger kids and holds their attention well. The second half of LHFHG uses History for Little Pilgrims more regularly along with History Stories for Children (also a wonderful resource), which in my experience requires a more mature listener. I would encourage you to take a peek through History Stories for Children and see how soon you feel your daughter will be ready for this. Your decision for half-speed or full-speed would probably hinge on this.

If you choose half-speed you can still keep the right side of the guide full-speed (or part of it). Math can still be done daily and a sticky note in the guide will help mark your spot. Have you checked out the placement tests on the Singapore website? If not, it may be helpful to print one your daughter's level and see how she does.

This half-speed thread may be helpful and I'm sure there are many others as well.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8367&p=61041&hilit= ... rts#p61041

[momof4]

Mandy,
I have found that when we begin a new program it takes longer at first to get in the swing of it. We can't make our days any longer so we have slowed down to half-speed for a little bit. Once they get the hang of the format we go back to full-speed. I've found it better to slow down so they get it than try to plow through and get it done.

Hope that helps.
Laurie

[rayjenl]

Hi Mandy and welcome to HOD, you are in for a wonderful year full of great memories. We're on Unit 20 now of LHFHG, and let me tell you the little girl that started back in July has grown so much in acedemics it's amazing. This is my first year and time homeschooling her (she's my oldest). It did take me a couple of weeks to get into a routine. Once we understood how it really all worked into our 'real' schedule, the days became a lot smoother. At first it did take me a couple of hours, then it tapered down to one and a half hours, and now we are at one hour. Also, some days we got all the boxes done in a hour, and some days we did a box throughout the day as time allowed. So it's very flexable and with three other little ones (and mama not sleeping) we're getting it done. As far as math, my dd came from a very advanced preschool so she too new a lot when we got started, but I just plugged away everyday and did the guide exactly as written. I haven't had to skip or add anything to the day. The thing with Singapore is that it quickly moves foreward, so what might seem redundent now, that will quickly pass and she'll be challenged soon. Plus the math activities in the guide are sooooo much fun, what kid would complain about getting to eat there math activities, ha!

God Bless,
Jennifer

[psreit]

My dd is doing LHFHG. She was a little behind in Math. The Earlybird 2A book had a lot of stuff she already knew, but there were a few areas that she benefited from. So, sometimes I would do 2 pages a day, if it was stuff she already knew. It put us a little bit ahead of the rest of the guide, but, as she will soon be finishing up Earlybird B, we will go directly into 1A and use the Beyond guide for activities. My dd is almost 8, so she is ready to move on like that. Since your dd is just going to be 5, she probably would not be bored doing the K activities and books. At her age, there is no need to rush. If you would come to a point where it would get difficult, you'd need to slow her down anyway. So, I would recommend continuing in the book she is doing. Like a pp said, if you go half speed, you can still do Math every day. Also, the amount of time it takes to do the work can vary. 90 minutes is an average. It works differently for each family. Since your dd is young, it may take longer to do some things. Enjoy your days of LHFHG and don't be concerned about those things.

[3sweeties]

Welcome to HOD, Mandy!!!

I am doing LHFHG with my K'er who will be 6 in a month and I feel like it fits him perfectly. We started out going half-speed at the beginning of the year and then in January I went up to full-speed. He was 5.5 when we started at half-speed. My 3.5 yo loves to take part in some of the activities also, but some are definitely too involved/difficult for her.

As far as math, we have been going full-speed the entire time in Earlybird Math and that has been perfect. He already knew many of the concepts to start with, but I felt like review wouldn't be a bad thing in Math. He has never complained that it is boring or anything. There are so many fun hands-on activities that he has LOVED (especially the ones that have to do with food! ) I feel like he will be really strong going into Singapore 1A next year.

Maybe you could slow down and go half-speed on everything but Math and Handwriting? That is what I did with my little guy and I think it helped him ease into it. HTH a little!

[Mandy]

Thanks so much for all the replies! It is so nice to have the support and help from this board! I think I will slow it down a bit and go half speed with everything but Math and possibly phonics. I would love to pick up the handwriting to full time, but as of now that is the most frustrating subject for dd. So, I hate to push it too much. We also have our normal family Bible time, so I figured that on the days that are our "off" days for Bible, I"ll add in other activities that go with the theme for the week. I'll just keep working on it until I find what fits for us. I'm positive this is the curriculum that we should be doing. I love everything about it!

[3sweeties]

Oops -- meant to add phonics to every day too! I think your plan sounds great!!!