Here's my dilemma:
DD6 is doing LHFHG this year and we love it! I can't say enough how much we have loved everything in the program! And she is really at the right level for it, it's challenging and she has grown a lot this year. However - my DD4 I think will be a bit ahead academically, at least in early grades because she's tagged along with her sister for LHTH and now LHFHG. And I want something that will be at a reasonable level for her to do, but the idea of combining them (they are exactly 2 years apart in age) REALLY appeals to me.
So, if I did Beyond next year (fall 2011) with DD6, then I'm stuck trying to fit DD4 somewhere for K (in fall 2012) and having to do 2 guides. And I think by the time I have a K and a 2nd, they might both fit into Beyond with some of the extensions. In discussing with DH about it, we really felt like it might be a good idea to do the reading and 1st grade math from Beyond, but keep a lot of the rest of it (continue with a handwriting program of course) to have it for a combined K and 2nd year the following year.
So, now my idea is, do LHTH with all 3 girls in the fall, do Beyond reading, math, and a handwriting curriculum for DD6 in the fall, and find some other history and science stuff to do with the older 2 girls together in the fall. One of my ideas for history was to do a lot of the supplemental reading in the back of the LHFHG guide, just to cement many of the things we've learned this year.
The downside to this is I will have to plan all this out myself instead of being able to rely on the daily planned out lessons in Beyond. But I can't really see another way to get my kids into the same guide, because I don't want to repeat one two years in a row, and even though I have read through all the reasoning for doing it, I just don't know if I have it in me to do 2 (and eventually 3) guides. So far I have really loved that we all sit and read the same history lessons, do some science together, I love the togetherness this provides for us. The interaction of both girls as we talk about what we've read is really priceless.
But I appreciate any thoughts and thanks for reading my whole long situation.
In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
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Tree House Academy
- Posts: 1078
- Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:40 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Help me here..
What "grade" are you considering your dd6? Is this her Kindergarten year or her 1st grade year?
When will your youngest start Kindergarten?
Here is my experience with a son who is now 7.5 and finishing the last 9 units of Beyond:
In Kindergarten, he was ready to learn to read, but was nowhere near and emerging reader. He was learning the basics...and would NOT have been able to do Little Hearts that year. If we had done Little Hearts, it would have had to be at half-speed.
In 1st grade, we found HOD and started him in Beyond. He was NOT ready at 6 to start Beyond. I dropped him back to Little Hearts and that was a perfect fit for his 1st grade year. By the end of 1st grade, he was reading at about 4th grade level, had finished half of the emerging readers, and was 100% ready for Beyond when we started it this year.
I say this because I want to caution you that, while a younger child can absolutely listen and pick up some of their older sibling's guide, unless they are actually doing the writing, reciting, memorizing, spelling, etc. they are not getting the full benefit of the guide. My 7y/o listens in on some of my 11 y/o's read alouds in CTC, but his retention of them is nothing compared to what he has of the things he has studied in his own level guide this year.
If I were in your situation, I would choose one of two things:
Option 1: Move on to Beyond with the older child. Begin Little Hearts again with the younger child, but do the guide in earnest having her do all of the assignments herself if she did not do this previously.
Option 2: Move older dd on to Beyond full speed. Start younger child in Beyond but do it at half speed or less. i.e. have her do the poetry copywork, but take it slower. Have her read the poems aloud to you, but slower. If she is NOT ready for that sort of thing, then I absolutely would NOT move her on to Beyond. I would go back and repeat Little Hearts again catering to her level this time instead of big sister's.
I am sure some of the other ladies will have much better suggestions than me (since I have not been in your situation as my kids are 4.2 years apart). My best advice is to prayerfully consider the path God would have you follow as you get the feedback here.
God bless,
Rebecca
What "grade" are you considering your dd6? Is this her Kindergarten year or her 1st grade year?
When will your youngest start Kindergarten?
Here is my experience with a son who is now 7.5 and finishing the last 9 units of Beyond:
In Kindergarten, he was ready to learn to read, but was nowhere near and emerging reader. He was learning the basics...and would NOT have been able to do Little Hearts that year. If we had done Little Hearts, it would have had to be at half-speed.
In 1st grade, we found HOD and started him in Beyond. He was NOT ready at 6 to start Beyond. I dropped him back to Little Hearts and that was a perfect fit for his 1st grade year. By the end of 1st grade, he was reading at about 4th grade level, had finished half of the emerging readers, and was 100% ready for Beyond when we started it this year.
I say this because I want to caution you that, while a younger child can absolutely listen and pick up some of their older sibling's guide, unless they are actually doing the writing, reciting, memorizing, spelling, etc. they are not getting the full benefit of the guide. My 7y/o listens in on some of my 11 y/o's read alouds in CTC, but his retention of them is nothing compared to what he has of the things he has studied in his own level guide this year.
If I were in your situation, I would choose one of two things:
Option 1: Move on to Beyond with the older child. Begin Little Hearts again with the younger child, but do the guide in earnest having her do all of the assignments herself if she did not do this previously.
Option 2: Move older dd on to Beyond full speed. Start younger child in Beyond but do it at half speed or less. i.e. have her do the poetry copywork, but take it slower. Have her read the poems aloud to you, but slower. If she is NOT ready for that sort of thing, then I absolutely would NOT move her on to Beyond. I would go back and repeat Little Hearts again catering to her level this time instead of big sister's.
I am sure some of the other ladies will have much better suggestions than me (since I have not been in your situation as my kids are 4.2 years apart). My best advice is to prayerfully consider the path God would have you follow as you get the feedback here.
God bless,
Rebecca
~Rebecca~
ds13(8th) - Rev to Rev w/ TT Pre-Algebra, R&S English 6, CLE Reading 8, Rosetta Stone French
ds9 (4th) - Preparing Hearts, TT Math 4, R&S English 3, CLE Reading 4, & Writeshop Jr.
We have completed LHFHG, BLHFHG, Bigger, CTC, & RTR.
ds13(8th) - Rev to Rev w/ TT Pre-Algebra, R&S English 6, CLE Reading 8, Rosetta Stone French
ds9 (4th) - Preparing Hearts, TT Math 4, R&S English 3, CLE Reading 4, & Writeshop Jr.
We have completed LHFHG, BLHFHG, Bigger, CTC, & RTR.
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
What about Beyond at 1/2 speed while the oldest does math, spelling and 5th day English at regular speed?
Melissa, wife to Jim for 28 years
3 graduated, 2 using US 2, 8th grade dd using Missions to Marvels
Isaiah 40:11 ...He gently leads those that have young.
3 graduated, 2 using US 2, 8th grade dd using Missions to Marvels
Isaiah 40:11 ...He gently leads those that have young.
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Quite frankly, if they are placed correctly, doing more than one guide is SO SO EASY! 
And way less time consuming than if you were having to plan it all out. Since you said that your second child wouldn't be doing K until fall of 2012, and since your first child has done (will have done) LHFHG completely through and would start Beyond this fall (2011), here's my advice
Go ahead and start your first in Beyond. Half speed if you feel she needs it, or full speed if you don't Then for your second, do LHTH with the K level fine motor skills books from LHFHG starting in fall 2011. Then fall of 2012 your first would go on to Bigger, and your second would start LHFHG with the "Thinking Skills" book.
Believe me, even if they are sitting there listening in on every word, there's SO MUCH more than just learning the stories in LHTH and LHFHG. It prepares them for the work level in Beyond and then in Bigger. Beyond would be really really hard for a K. And keeping them with a guide in between their guides keeps you from burnout too
BTW, I did Beyond with my DD1 for her K year because that's where she seemed to fit in the placement chart. But I ended up having to not do some of it because it was too much for her. We went all the way through it though! And I did it AGAIN with her for her 1st grade year and she was so much more capable of doing all of it and she loved it! So the same child did the same guide in back to back years and learned different things both times.
And way less time consuming than if you were having to plan it all out. Since you said that your second child wouldn't be doing K until fall of 2012, and since your first child has done (will have done) LHFHG completely through and would start Beyond this fall (2011), here's my advice Go ahead and start your first in Beyond. Half speed if you feel she needs it, or full speed if you don't
Then for your second, do LHTH with the K level fine motor skills books from LHFHG starting in fall 2011. Then fall of 2012 your first would go on to Bigger, and your second would start LHFHG with the "Thinking Skills" book. Believe me, even if they are sitting there listening in on every word, there's SO MUCH more than just learning the stories in LHTH and LHFHG. It prepares them for the work level in Beyond and then in Bigger. Beyond would be really really hard for a K. And keeping them with a guide in between their guides keeps you from burnout too
BTW, I did Beyond with my DD1 for her K year because that's where she seemed to fit in the placement chart. But I ended up having to not do some of it because it was too much for her. We went all the way through it though! And I did it AGAIN with her for her 1st grade year and she was so much more capable of doing all of it and she loved it! So the same child did the same guide in back to back years and learned different things both times.
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
OK Let me clarify, thanks for the helpful comments, I suppose a little more information is helpful for everyone.
This year is DD6's K year. She turned 6 in January. She has finished "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" and is reading at a pretty solid 1 1/2 grade level I would say. She's ready for the reading in Beyond, and her fine motor skills are pretty good too. So far the K Singapore Math books have been a breeze for her.
I wasn't planning to do Beyond with DD4 in fall 2011. I know she's not ready for the copywork, really the fine motor is the stuff she's not yet ready for. I'm not 100% sure on her placement for this fall in math. My plan WAS initially to do LHTH with DD4 in the fall, incorporating DD1(will be 2 by then) in it somewhat and of course letting DD6 participate in crafts.... they all love crafts. I was also planning to start some reading lessons and a preschool handwriting book with DD4 in the fall. She is really excited to have some big-girl reading and workbooks like her older sister. That would put DD6 in Beyond (full speed, which I think she'd be fully capable of). But then I was completely confused as to what to do after that, because my transition into combining them (again IF combining them made sense) would leave me a little stuck. DH and my idea was to kind of "skip" this year (2011-2012) with DD6 so that DD4 and DD6 (who will then be 5 and 7 of course) would both start Beyond in fall 2012. I would find some things to do to supplement, some history and science to work on along with her math, reading, writing that we would just do in Beyond as scheduled. The following year I'd have to add in the 2nd grade options for Beyond with DD6.
And... I know it's probably not too difficult to do 2 guides instead of 1 when each child is ready, and that the guides build upon one another and all have valuable and important things in them. I know that my DD4 is not retaining nearly as much from the history, science, LA (read aloud) as DD6 is, and she certainly can't narrate, answer questions, and grasp the stories and concepts.
BUT it is important to me to combine my children when that is appropriate. I see a lot of value in us all doing the same history, science, and some LA whenever possible. Family togetherness is really important to me. Also, really important to me, is maximizing the time I can spend with each of them and allowing them interaction with one another that grows all of us. If my DD4 just absolutely was not ready and would not benefit from being in the same guide as her sister, of course her needs would come first in that. And I don't want to hold DD6 back either.
And another big factor for me is my motivation. The longer I have to spend doing school each day, the more likely I am to start cutting things out and losing my drive to get it done. This is just something I know about myself. And with a toddler around, the longer school takes, the more likely she starts getting grumpy and doing things that are not helpful in me getting school done.
I think what I'm going to do at this point is buy the Beyond guide (I already have a lot of the other materials for Beyond) and look through it a bit and just see what I think. But I would welcome any other thoughts you guys have. Thanks!
This year is DD6's K year. She turned 6 in January. She has finished "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" and is reading at a pretty solid 1 1/2 grade level I would say. She's ready for the reading in Beyond, and her fine motor skills are pretty good too. So far the K Singapore Math books have been a breeze for her.
I wasn't planning to do Beyond with DD4 in fall 2011. I know she's not ready for the copywork, really the fine motor is the stuff she's not yet ready for. I'm not 100% sure on her placement for this fall in math. My plan WAS initially to do LHTH with DD4 in the fall, incorporating DD1(will be 2 by then) in it somewhat and of course letting DD6 participate in crafts.... they all love crafts. I was also planning to start some reading lessons and a preschool handwriting book with DD4 in the fall. She is really excited to have some big-girl reading and workbooks like her older sister. That would put DD6 in Beyond (full speed, which I think she'd be fully capable of). But then I was completely confused as to what to do after that, because my transition into combining them (again IF combining them made sense) would leave me a little stuck. DH and my idea was to kind of "skip" this year (2011-2012) with DD6 so that DD4 and DD6 (who will then be 5 and 7 of course) would both start Beyond in fall 2012. I would find some things to do to supplement, some history and science to work on along with her math, reading, writing that we would just do in Beyond as scheduled. The following year I'd have to add in the 2nd grade options for Beyond with DD6.
And... I know it's probably not too difficult to do 2 guides instead of 1 when each child is ready, and that the guides build upon one another and all have valuable and important things in them. I know that my DD4 is not retaining nearly as much from the history, science, LA (read aloud) as DD6 is, and she certainly can't narrate, answer questions, and grasp the stories and concepts.
BUT it is important to me to combine my children when that is appropriate. I see a lot of value in us all doing the same history, science, and some LA whenever possible. Family togetherness is really important to me. Also, really important to me, is maximizing the time I can spend with each of them and allowing them interaction with one another that grows all of us. If my DD4 just absolutely was not ready and would not benefit from being in the same guide as her sister, of course her needs would come first in that. And I don't want to hold DD6 back either.
And another big factor for me is my motivation. The longer I have to spend doing school each day, the more likely I am to start cutting things out and losing my drive to get it done. This is just something I know about myself. And with a toddler around, the longer school takes, the more likely she starts getting grumpy and doing things that are not helpful in me getting school done.
I think what I'm going to do at this point is buy the Beyond guide (I already have a lot of the other materials for Beyond) and look through it a bit and just see what I think. But I would welcome any other thoughts you guys have. Thanks!
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
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blessedmomof4
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:34 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Melissa,
I can appreciate wanting the family togetherness, However, I do believe that combining children works well only when their skills are close enough in HOD. Combining kids who are too far apart in their skills will only lead to having to always adjust for the younger, and her not getting the benefit of the progression of skills in HOD. One way you can have that togetherness is to place each child in the guide in which she fits, but choose only one storytime with them together. Also, if you rotate subjects so that one is doing something semi-independently, such as a handwriting or math assignment, you can work with the other child so that you don't lengthen your day with two guides. Praying you come to a solution that fits your family best
Edited to add: just noticed you have a toddler as well. Other moms on here have posted lots of suggestions for keeping toddlers busy during school, such as a special set of toys and age-appropriate activities that only come out at school-time
I can appreciate wanting the family togetherness, However, I do believe that combining children works well only when their skills are close enough in HOD. Combining kids who are too far apart in their skills will only lead to having to always adjust for the younger, and her not getting the benefit of the progression of skills in HOD. One way you can have that togetherness is to place each child in the guide in which she fits, but choose only one storytime with them together. Also, if you rotate subjects so that one is doing something semi-independently, such as a handwriting or math assignment, you can work with the other child so that you don't lengthen your day with two guides. Praying you come to a solution that fits your family best
Edited to add: just noticed you have a toddler as well. Other moms on here have posted lots of suggestions for keeping toddlers busy during school, such as a special set of toys and age-appropriate activities that only come out at school-time
Lourdes
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Hi Melissa,
I can relate - I was planning on doing the same thing, interjecting a year to let my younger dd catch up so we could keep doing most everything together. I went through many plans
Once I decided I'd need to wait too long for that to work, and decided to forge ahead, I discovered I really needed to spend time letting my son's writing skills grow before starting Beyond, as I didn't want to adapt everything all year long, so I decided to wait before starting Beyond. It's been the right decision, and I'm nearing the end of his year "inbetween", and let me tell you, I miss the wonderful integrated plans in HOD! Thankfully we're enjoying LHTH, because I'm wearying of planning our geography tour! I did great until January We're doing Elemental Science Intro, so that's getting done sometimes, but like you said, the other stuff falls to the wayside more and more often. I am looking forward to starting up Beyond and 1/2 speed LHFHG in a month or two. I'd start now, but the kids are definitely looking forward to our last few countries. I've even worked out a schedule for when we start - I just have to be diligent to keep going until then . I think after you read through Beyond, you'll get a better idea of what it would be like to have a 4yo tagging along. I was looking through the guide with that in mind last night, and though there are definitely plenty of activities, mainly science & art, that everyone would enjoy, there are many more, especially geography, that I would have to do it for her, really, which would end up doubling the time for that activity. I remember most of the LHFHG activities are simple and quick (well, art days always last longer 
). I just wanted to say that I understand where you're at, and I'm praying for clarity and peace for you - you'll know it when it hits you!
I can relate - I was planning on doing the same thing, interjecting a year to let my younger dd catch up so we could keep doing most everything together. I went through many plans
Once I decided I'd need to wait too long for that to work, and decided to forge ahead, I discovered I really needed to spend time letting my son's writing skills grow before starting Beyond, as I didn't want to adapt everything all year long, so I decided to wait before starting Beyond. It's been the right decision, and I'm nearing the end of his year "inbetween", and let me tell you, I miss the wonderful integrated plans in HOD! Thankfully we're enjoying LHTH, because I'm wearying of planning our geography tour! I did great until January We're doing Elemental Science Intro, so that's getting done sometimes, but like you said, the other stuff falls to the wayside more and more often. I am looking forward to starting up Beyond and 1/2 speed LHFHG in a month or two. I'd start now, but the kids are definitely looking forward to our last few countries. I've even worked out a schedule for when we start - I just have to be diligent to keep going until then . I think after you read through Beyond, you'll get a better idea of what it would be like to have a 4yo tagging along. I was looking through the guide with that in mind last night, and though there are definitely plenty of activities, mainly science & art, that everyone would enjoy, there are many more, especially geography, that I would have to do it for her, really, which would end up doubling the time for that activity. I remember most of the LHFHG activities are simple and quick (well, art days always last longer ). I just wanted to say that I understand where you're at, and I'm praying for clarity and peace for you - you'll know it when it hits you! Kristen
Loved LHTH & LHFHG
DS8 (2nd) WWE1, HOD dictation, Sequential Spelling, SM 2B, VP OT/AE & SOTW1 history, Song School Latin, Getting Started With Spanish
DD6 (K) Saxon Math 1, VP Phonics Museum K
DD3 cutting, gluing, more cutting
Loved LHTH & LHFHG
DS8 (2nd) WWE1, HOD dictation, Sequential Spelling, SM 2B, VP OT/AE & SOTW1 history, Song School Latin, Getting Started With Spanish
DD6 (K) Saxon Math 1, VP Phonics Museum K
DD3 cutting, gluing, more cutting
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Mom4Him
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Hi Melissa! I can see your heart's desire to combine your kiddos! We chose to split our 4 (almost 5) year-old into a different guide than her 6 year-old sisters for various reasons, but the decision was VERY hard at the time, so I will be praying for you! Your kiddos seem somewhat similar to mine, & while I am happy that we have decided not to combine... I can still see how combining could really work for our family, & I think it can for your family too!
I'm just going to "bounce some ideas around" that I am thinking of off the top of my head, but will continue to think on other ideas that may be helpful in your situation...
- I see you've done LHTH with your oldest (with 4-year old tagging along), so I would hesitate to have her do LHTH again (as much as we have loved repeating it this year with our 4-year-old, it would have been too repetitive for the older girls- although they still LOVE reading the stories and remember fondly their days in LHTH! )... but I do like the idea of slowing down the left side of the other guides, but continuing on in the right side (math, language arts, phonics, etc.).
-Maybe you could start your 4-year old in LHTH NOW instead of in the FALL (this time doing everything as HER own school time), & beginning phonics & handwriting when you feel she is ready. You could school her throughout the summer (as LHTH doesn't really seem like school), or you could even double up some days if that worked for you... maybe with a goal of finishing before Christmas, then when she's 5 (January- right!?), start LHFHG full-speed, continuing to work hard on her fine-motor skills & phonics (of course first reevaluating if she is ready for that level).
-Your 6-year-old could finish out LHFHG- you could even slow the left side down to half-speed, or maybe 3 or 4 days a week (continuing with the right-side at full-speed)- stop when you were ready for a summer break, & then pick up where you left off come the beginning of the school-year. (Maybe you would have a few units of the left-side of LHFHG to finish, & you could finish that & then move right into doing the left side of Beyond half-speed- but the right-side full-speed!?) Is this making any sense???
-I'm thinking eventually they would "meet up" at some point.
-But, I know this is not combining the 2 for at least a year, and is repeating LHFHG right after you've just finished it... so I'm going to keep thinking!
-I do think I recently read of someone who had success doing LHFHG 2-years in a row- first with the K options & the next year with the 1st grade options, & their child still really benefited, so maybe that is another option!?
-I could see how it would be very nice to just stop doing the left-side of the guides for a bit as your 4year-old grows in her abilities, but I'm like you- I like that everything is planned out in the guides!
Keep praying! We will be praying for you! And will help you come to a wonderful plan for your family!!
Jessica
We chose to split our 4 (almost 5) year-old into a different guide than her 6 year-old sisters for various reasons, but the decision was VERY hard at the time, so I will be praying for you! Your kiddos seem somewhat similar to mine, & while I am happy that we have decided not to combine... I can still see how combining could really work for our family, & I think it can for your family too!I'm just going to "bounce some ideas around" that I am thinking of off the top of my head, but will continue to think on other ideas that may be helpful in your situation...
- I see you've done LHTH with your oldest (with 4-year old tagging along), so I would hesitate to have her do LHTH again (as much as we have loved repeating it this year with our 4-year-old, it would have been too repetitive for the older girls- although they still LOVE reading the stories and remember fondly their days in LHTH!
)... but I do like the idea of slowing down the left side of the other guides, but continuing on in the right side (math, language arts, phonics, etc.). -Maybe you could start your 4-year old in LHTH NOW instead of in the FALL (this time doing everything as HER own school time), & beginning phonics & handwriting when you feel she is ready. You could school her throughout the summer (as LHTH doesn't really seem like school), or you could even double up some days if that worked for you... maybe with a goal of finishing before Christmas, then when she's 5 (January- right!?), start LHFHG full-speed, continuing to work hard on her fine-motor skills & phonics (of course first reevaluating if she is ready for that level).
-Your 6-year-old could finish out LHFHG- you could even slow the left side down to half-speed, or maybe 3 or 4 days a week (continuing with the right-side at full-speed)- stop when you were ready for a summer break, & then pick up where you left off come the beginning of the school-year. (Maybe you would have a few units of the left-side of LHFHG to finish, & you could finish that & then move right into doing the left side of Beyond half-speed- but the right-side full-speed!?) Is this making any sense???
-I'm thinking eventually they would "meet up" at some point.
-But, I know this is not combining the 2 for at least a year, and is repeating LHFHG right after you've just finished it... so I'm going to keep thinking!
-I do think I recently read of someone who had success doing LHFHG 2-years in a row- first with the K options & the next year with the 1st grade options, & their child still really benefited, so maybe that is another option!?
-I could see how it would be very nice to just stop doing the left-side of the guides for a bit as your 4year-old grows in her abilities, but I'm like you- I like that everything is planned out in the guides!
Keep praying! We will be praying for you! And will help you come to a wonderful plan for your family!!
Jessica
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
Okay I just speed read the previous postings, so I probably missed quite a bit of critical information, BUT the theme that caught my eye was "family-togetherness." I think that's a great thread to begin in a separate post to bring in more input, but here are some of my thoughts.
When we began HOD the idea of putting the children in different science and history was a "new" one for me, but at that point in our story I clearly saw my oldest child's need to forge ahead and my middle 2 to stay together. We did that for a year. It worked well. Then this past year I began to see the need for my 2nd child to forge ahead, so I moved him completely into his own guide and schedule. They are all doing well and this has been a good decision. And, yet, I find that we continue to be blessed as a family by the learning we do together. This year, the answer to that for us has been that we do Bible, hymn singing, Scripture memory and storytime together almost daily. In addition, on the "fifth day" which for us is Wednesday we do a complete day of shared learning - nature walk,nature reading, character reading and discussion, composer, artist study, art projects, writing letters to family, etc. WE love Wednesdays! - Wonderful Wednesdays - a nice break from routine. And, yes, Everyone still does their own storytime and bible readings and scripture memory according to their guide. I've mused over this a great deal trying to find the right balance. I like a great deal what we currently do. It does slow the children in the 5-day guides down a bit, but that's okay. God will show the way.
I look forward to the unfolding of this thread. Take care.
I did have another thought, which I've returned to add-on. There is quite a bit of shared learning across curriculums with the HOD guides. My older children comment to the younger and assist them with projects they've completed in a previous year. The older 2 dialogue as themes in their guide overlap and intersect. My 6 yo daughter enjoys doing the "projects" with my 9 yo in Bigger. The 9 yo enjoys listening in to the 6 yo's storytime and participating in quite a few of her activities in LHFHG. Our family Bible time is often, but not always, based upon the Bible from one of the guides, etc. And the list goes on...
When we began HOD the idea of putting the children in different science and history was a "new" one for me, but at that point in our story I clearly saw my oldest child's need to forge ahead and my middle 2 to stay together. We did that for a year. It worked well. Then this past year I began to see the need for my 2nd child to forge ahead, so I moved him completely into his own guide and schedule. They are all doing well and this has been a good decision. And, yet,
I find that we continue to be blessed as a family by the learning we do together. This year, the answer to that for us has been that we do Bible, hymn singing, Scripture memory and storytime together almost daily. In addition, on the "fifth day" which for us is Wednesday we do a complete day of shared learning - nature walk,nature reading, character reading and discussion, composer, artist study, art projects, writing letters to family, etc. WE love Wednesdays! - Wonderful Wednesdays - a nice break from routine. And, yes, Everyone still does their own storytime and bible readings and scripture memory according to their guide. I've mused over this a great deal trying to find the right balance. I like a great deal what we currently do. It does slow the children in the 5-day guides down a bit, but that's okay. God will show the way. I look forward to the unfolding of this thread. Take care.
I did have another thought, which I've returned to add-on. There is quite a bit of shared learning across curriculums with the HOD guides. My older children comment to the younger and assist them with projects they've completed in a previous year. The older 2 dialogue as themes in their guide overlap and intersect. My 6 yo daughter enjoys doing the "projects" with my 9 yo in Bigger. The 9 yo enjoys listening in to the 6 yo's storytime and participating in quite a few of her activities in LHFHG. Our family Bible time is often, but not always, based upon the Bible from one of the guides, etc. And the list goes on...
With Joy!
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
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MelInKansas
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm
Re: In LHFHG this year but thinking about skipping a year
deltagal - Yes, I have started a similar thing, we do worship time, prayer time, scripture memory, and Bible time before the rest of "school" starts (the scripture memory though is their AWANA and the weekly memory verse or review in LHFHG). I think I will continue with this pattern as of course I want worshipping our Lord to be the primary thing in our day. Your Wednesday plan sounds pretty awesome! I am still struggling to actually school 5 days a week. Probably by DD4's K year I will have to get more disciplined about other outside activities to make 5 days of school more of a reality.
I should read back through LHTH and make sure that will be a good idea for DD4 next year too. Of course the "learning" of it, alphabet, numbers, counting, she already knows (as did her older sister when we did it the first time). Last time we did LHTH we didn't really do the devotional/scripture memory book all the way through, and I may do the Bible reading from a regular Bible instead of the children's Bible to switch that up a little bit. I like the idea of doing LHFHG with her starting next January, to get her through and maybe more ready for Beyond. We will have to see if that seems like a workable option.
I guess once I read the Beyond guide I will really have to pray for wisdom as to whether my DD4's fine motor skills can be ready for Beyond when she'll be 5 1/2. I have a friend who started LHFHG with her 5YO in the fall but the little girl's fine motor skills were really what kept her from enjoying it and getting the most out of it. They slowed down to 1/2 speed and now she's really catching up and catching on to fine-motor.
Of course I will continue praying and discussing with my DH what we should do. Thanks everyone who has given thoughtful responses.
I should read back through LHTH and make sure that will be a good idea for DD4 next year too. Of course the "learning" of it, alphabet, numbers, counting, she already knows (as did her older sister when we did it the first time). Last time we did LHTH we didn't really do the devotional/scripture memory book all the way through, and I may do the Bible reading from a regular Bible instead of the children's Bible to switch that up a little bit. I like the idea of doing LHFHG with her starting next January, to get her through and maybe more ready for Beyond. We will have to see if that seems like a workable option.
I guess once I read the Beyond guide I will really have to pray for wisdom as to whether my DD4's fine motor skills can be ready for Beyond when she'll be 5 1/2. I have a friend who started LHFHG with her 5YO in the fall but the little girl's fine motor skills were really what kept her from enjoying it and getting the most out of it. They slowed down to 1/2 speed and now she's really catching up and catching on to fine-motor.
Of course I will continue praying and discussing with my DH what we should do. Thanks everyone who has given thoughtful responses.