Hi everyone! My name is April. My husband and I have 3 girls (7, almost 5, and 2). We have always homeschooled. I am seriously considering LHFHG for almost 5 yr old and BHFHG for 7 yr old. Our almost 5 yr old (she will be 5 1/2 when we begin) is VERY verbal, very much into dramatics (the good and bad!). She is reading some, like early readers and Dick and Jane. So that is why I thought LHFHG would be wise. Our 7 year old will be almost 8 when we would begin BHFHG. She is reading independently (reading chapter books and is reading Little House in the Big Woods---her decision) and has been for almost 1.5yrs. She LOVES science! When it comes to science she will just go out on her own. She has created her own nature and animal binders.
It has been difficult for me to incorporate history this year. We use a lot of different curricula. To be honest...it is driving me CRAZY! I want...no I need something that I can just open up and go, with little to no prep. That is why I want to do HOD. I think it is the right decision for us to use 2 programs. My husband even looked over the placement. He thought almost 5 yr old would be great in Little Hearts but thought the then 8yr old would be good in Preparing...until I told him that the writing and workload would be more. She isn't quite ready for that. Our 7 yr old has looked at the booklist and the list of what she would be learning and she is excited. She wants to start now.
What do you ladies think? I have also looked at putting them both in Beyond, which would be ok for then 5.5yr old but not too sure about then 8 yr old.
In the love of Jesus,
April
New from GA
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water2wine
- Posts: 2743
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
- Location: GA
Welcome April! I am also a fellow Georgian. Well not a native but we live here now 
I know you are going to get good advice on the placement. I think if I were in your shoes I would try to combine if I could. I can't really give you advice on placement. There are moms more experienced with the programs that really could do a better job. I'm not familiar enough with BLHFG although it is sitting on m shelves to be used next! 
My kids will be 6/7 and 4/5 when using it. My youngest is starting to read though and the other is reading Bob's Book level now so I think b then it will work for us with some modification if needed. I wanted them together though for the long haul.
I just really wanted to say welcome and hi from someone else in GA. Also wanted to let you know that what you are wanting and described you are looking for really is a perfect description for HOD. So the only thing to figure out for sure is the placement. You are going to love the way it is really open and go. We are so excited to be using it with all six kids. My dh is thrilled that we have found something that is so fun and low stress for me yet still teaches all six kids on their level deeply with amazing Biblical connection. We had been loving LHFG and just started BHFG and are thrilled with it. I know the ladies here will give you really great advice. Someone with better experience with Beyond could give you better advice. I am just a if I can combine it and still challenge them I will kind of girl. But for me that is survival I guess but I also like the closeness it builds with my kids. However running two programs is very doable and we are doing that now. I have almost 4 and almost 6 in LHFG, almost 9, 9, 10, and 10 in BHFG (just started this one and love it).
Have fun deciding. I know you are going to get some great advice! And enjoy the snow! If you got what we did you have had plenty of snow ball fights!
I know you are going to get good advice on the placement. I think if I were in your shoes I would try to combine if I could. I can't really give you advice on placement. There are moms more experienced with the programs that really could do a better job. I'm not familiar enough with BLHFG although it is sitting on m shelves to be used next! My kids will be 6/7 and 4/5 when using it. My youngest is starting to read though and the other is reading Bob's Book level now so I think b then it will work for us with some modification if needed. I wanted them together though for the long haul.I just really wanted to say welcome and hi from someone else in GA. Also wanted to let you know that what you are wanting and described you are looking for really is a perfect description for HOD. So the only thing to figure out for sure is the placement. You are going to love the way it is really open and go. We are so excited to be using it with all six kids. My dh is thrilled that we have found something that is so fun and low stress for me yet still teaches all six kids on their level deeply with amazing Biblical connection. We had been loving LHFG and just started BHFG and are thrilled with it. I know the ladies here will give you really great advice. Someone with better experience with Beyond could give you better advice. I am just a if I can combine it and still challenge them I will kind of girl. But for me that is survival I guess but I also like the closeness it builds with my kids. However running two programs is very doable and we are doing that now. I have almost 4 and almost 6 in LHFG, almost 9, 9, 10, and 10 in BHFG (just started this one and love it).
Have fun deciding. I know you are going to get some great advice! And enjoy the snow! If you got what we did you have had plenty of snow ball fights!
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)
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blessedmomof4
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:34 pm
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Hi-well, you could try Beyond. There is a list of early readers that sounds like it might nbe good for your younger, and the Drawn Into the Heart of Reading would be a great addition for your older, at level 2/3. As far as history and science, those are easy to "beef-up" if needed, and you can try the language arts and math scheduled or you could use your own. It's such a flexible program! I haven't used that level, but I know all the HOD programs are known for their flexibility and ease of use. I am a fan of combining, because running separate programs drive ME nuts, but HOD programs are so well-organized, many people run 2 or 3 at the same time and are finding it works well. Have you looked at the sample pages? They helped me decide.
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
Hi April!
I'm a bred and born southern girl who just happened to marry a mid-westerner. I really miss it...esp. today when the high was 8! Oh well, I get to play on the internet for awhile!
I totally agree with W2W...I have 3 combined right now and plan on keeping it that way! You sounded concerned about the 8 yo doing Beyond, but I think it would be fine. You might want to use the LA suggestions from Bigger (R&S grade 2, DITHOR, etc.). When you get ready for Bigger you could use R&S grade 3 and then grade 4 with Preparing. Just use the Beyond materials with your 5.5 yo. You would have to customize your math as well.
OTOH...if you feel that they are to spread on the levels and can't combine well, just use two. (It sounds like your 7 yo is a pretty advanced reader.)There are many moms on here using two very successfully. It wouldn't be wasteful as you have one coming up who will be able to use all the materials again!
Well, I'm not sure that was helpful at all....
Decisions...decisions...
I'm a bred and born southern girl who just happened to marry a mid-westerner. I really miss it...esp. today when the high was 8! Oh well, I get to play on the internet for awhile!
I totally agree with W2W...I have 3 combined right now and plan on keeping it that way!
You sounded concerned about the 8 yo doing Beyond, but I think it would be fine. You might want to use the LA suggestions from Bigger (R&S grade 2, DITHOR, etc.). When you get ready for Bigger you could use R&S grade 3 and then grade 4 with Preparing. Just use the Beyond materials with your 5.5 yo. You would have to customize your math as well.OTOH...if you feel that they are to spread on the levels and can't combine well, just use two. (It sounds like your 7 yo is a pretty advanced reader.)There are many moms on here using two very successfully. It wouldn't be wasteful as you have one coming up who will be able to use all the materials again!
Well, I'm not sure that was helpful at all....
Decisions...decisions...Using LHFHG with
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Amy in Ohio
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:42 pm
- Location: Ohio
Hi, April!
I am also 'new' here, although not new to homeschooling. We have always homeschooled our two boys, ages 8 and 6; both are late fall birthdays. We just started Beyond 2 weeks ago after MUCH debate over where to begin. My oldest is also a very good independent reader and he, too, loves SCIENCE. He has been reading close to 2 years now. Beyond is definitely not too much work for my oldest ~ I do tweak it a bit for him in the Science esp. ~ and just right for my youngest. I spoke to Carrie before I made my decision and agreed with her that if I could keep my boys together by starting with Beyond, it makes life much easier. Also, I feel that it was good for us because, as I previously stated, I can always add more for my oldest, rather than frustrate him with too much and wound his desire to learn. I truly know how hard it is to make this decision, so this is why I am offering up my $.02. Hope this helps!
Blessings,
Amy
I am also 'new' here, although not new to homeschooling. We have always homeschooled our two boys, ages 8 and 6; both are late fall birthdays. We just started Beyond 2 weeks ago after MUCH debate over where to begin. My oldest is also a very good independent reader and he, too, loves SCIENCE. He has been reading close to 2 years now. Beyond is definitely not too much work for my oldest ~ I do tweak it a bit for him in the Science esp. ~ and just right for my youngest. I spoke to Carrie before I made my decision and agreed with her that if I could keep my boys together by starting with Beyond, it makes life much easier. Also, I feel that it was good for us because, as I previously stated, I can always add more for my oldest, rather than frustrate him with too much and wound his desire to learn. I truly know how hard it is to make this decision, so this is why I am offering up my $.02.
Hope this helps! Blessings,
Amy
Wife to Dave
Mom to 2 Boisterous Boys Cade~8 & Brandt~6
Home School Survivor for 3 years and counting!
It's nice to meet you, April! I have 3 sons, and I'm smiling because you could be describing my children exactly, other than mine are boys! I am doing LHFHG and Bigger... now with my 8 year old and almost 5 year old. Normally, I would say combine kids into one program if it's a good fit, but I'm thinking since you looked at the placement chart carefully, that your ideas for placement sound on track for your situation. For sure, LHFHG sounds like a great fit for your almost 5 year old. I feel confident in that placement.
I definitely agree with your choice that Preparing... would be too much for your almost 8 year old. As far as your almost 8 year old doing Bigger..., I will say that is what we did, and it is going great. My son (who turned 8 in Dec.) began reading the Little House books at the same age your daughter did (his choice as well), and reading chapter books too, so I think reading-wise she'd be ready for comprehending Bigger's... read-alouds. We're doing Level 2/3 of Drawn into the Heart of Reading for the reading choice for Bigger... You can see sample pages of the guide and the Level 2/3 workbook on the HOD site to see if that looks like something your daughter could do. Keep in mind you'd only be doing the Level 2/3 part of the plans to begin with. In several years, your youngest would be in Level 2/3 and your oldest would be in Level 4/5 though, so that's kind of fun to look ahead too!
First week of plans of DITHR:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/d1.pdf
A sample from the Level 2/3 Student Book:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/di2.pdf
I think your daughter would really enjoy the notebooking aspect of Bigger.. too, since she's already created her own binders. As long as she can hang with the writing aspect of Bigger..., I think it's probably a good placement for her.
I have a 9 month old baby as well as my 2 sons that I'm homeschooling, and if I did just the homeschooling all in a row I'd be done in about 4 hours. I add in playtime inside, playtime outside, playtime with baby, computer, phonics video, etc. so I school from about 9 AM to 2:30 PM. I think you will be able to do the 2 programs at once along with DITHR easily if you don't get crazy with going off on "bunny trails" with discussions, projects, or add too many other things in. Really other things aren't necessary anyway; the curriculums are complete on their own.
On the other hand, I have a great respect for the other ladies on this board, and they were steering you toward Beyond... I think that would work well too, especially if you decide the writing in Bigger... is too much for your almost 8 year old. Either way, you'd have a great year! Maybe I'll put a link here describing some of the writing required in Bigger..., just to help you process this, after you click on this it's my My3Sons post:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=202
No matter what you choose, you'll find all of HOD's curriculums totally open and go. I don't plan ahead for them, and the day goes smoothly. I?m so glad you?re ?here?, April! And perhaps our children could marry someday and we could continue helping homeschool the grandchildren together? just kidding! But doing a little homeschooling as a grandma is kind of a fun thought!
I definitely agree with your choice that Preparing... would be too much for your almost 8 year old. As far as your almost 8 year old doing Bigger..., I will say that is what we did, and it is going great. My son (who turned 8 in Dec.) began reading the Little House books at the same age your daughter did (his choice as well), and reading chapter books too, so I think reading-wise she'd be ready for comprehending Bigger's... read-alouds. We're doing Level 2/3 of Drawn into the Heart of Reading for the reading choice for Bigger... You can see sample pages of the guide and the Level 2/3 workbook on the HOD site to see if that looks like something your daughter could do. Keep in mind you'd only be doing the Level 2/3 part of the plans to begin with. In several years, your youngest would be in Level 2/3 and your oldest would be in Level 4/5 though, so that's kind of fun to look ahead too!
First week of plans of DITHR:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/d1.pdf
A sample from the Level 2/3 Student Book:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/di2.pdf
I think your daughter would really enjoy the notebooking aspect of Bigger.. too, since she's already created her own binders. As long as she can hang with the writing aspect of Bigger..., I think it's probably a good placement for her.
I have a 9 month old baby as well as my 2 sons that I'm homeschooling, and if I did just the homeschooling all in a row I'd be done in about 4 hours. I add in playtime inside, playtime outside, playtime with baby, computer, phonics video, etc. so I school from about 9 AM to 2:30 PM. I think you will be able to do the 2 programs at once along with DITHR easily if you don't get crazy with going off on "bunny trails" with discussions, projects, or add too many other things in. Really other things aren't necessary anyway; the curriculums are complete on their own.
On the other hand, I have a great respect for the other ladies on this board, and they were steering you toward Beyond... I think that would work well too, especially if you decide the writing in Bigger... is too much for your almost 8 year old. Either way, you'd have a great year! Maybe I'll put a link here describing some of the writing required in Bigger..., just to help you process this, after you click on this it's my My3Sons post:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=202
No matter what you choose, you'll find all of HOD's curriculums totally open and go. I don't plan ahead for them, and the day goes smoothly. I?m so glad you?re ?here?, April! And perhaps our children could marry someday and we could continue helping homeschool the grandchildren together? just kidding! But doing a little homeschooling as a grandma is kind of a fun thought!
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
April,
The wonderful ladies on this board are doing such a good job of answering your questions! I'll just pop in here and say, "Welcome, we're glad you're here!"
As to your placement questions, it sounds like you've done a great job of sorting through the placement options with your husband. With what you've shared, I'd agree that LHFHG would be a good place for your 5 year old.
It also sounds like your almost 8 year old would fit well in "Bigger Hearts...". It sounds like she is ready for the additional science and the more independent reading in "Bigger...". She could possibly even do much of the science reading on her own (if you choose to do so).
It does seem like your 2 kiddos are at a stage where they're farther apart rather than closer together in their learning stage, which makes combining more difficult without much tweaking. It also sounds like you want to pick up and use the guides without having to tweak, so then the 2 separate programs is a good fit. We actually are doing "Little Hearts..." and "Bigger..." this year at our own house, along with "Drawn into the Heart..." for that very reason.
If you wanted to start out more slowly while getting used to 2 programs, you could do half of "Little Hearts..." one day and half the next by teaching the left side of the plans one day and the right the next. You could always speed up once you hit your stride.
The answer to the "combine or not to combine" question is different for every family, so there's no one right answer to that one. You have to find what works for you. Hope that helps. Luckily, placing your child in the correct program is the hardest part of using a HOD product. Teaching it is actually the easy part!
Blessings,
Carrie
The wonderful ladies on this board are doing such a good job of answering your questions! I'll just pop in here and say, "Welcome, we're glad you're here!"
As to your placement questions, it sounds like you've done a great job of sorting through the placement options with your husband. With what you've shared, I'd agree that LHFHG would be a good place for your 5 year old.
It also sounds like your almost 8 year old would fit well in "Bigger Hearts...". It sounds like she is ready for the additional science and the more independent reading in "Bigger...". She could possibly even do much of the science reading on her own (if you choose to do so).
It does seem like your 2 kiddos are at a stage where they're farther apart rather than closer together in their learning stage, which makes combining more difficult without much tweaking. It also sounds like you want to pick up and use the guides without having to tweak, so then the 2 separate programs is a good fit. We actually are doing "Little Hearts..." and "Bigger..." this year at our own house, along with "Drawn into the Heart..." for that very reason.
If you wanted to start out more slowly while getting used to 2 programs, you could do half of "Little Hearts..." one day and half the next by teaching the left side of the plans one day and the right the next. You could always speed up once you hit your stride.
The answer to the "combine or not to combine" question is different for every family, so there's no one right answer to that one. You have to find what works for you. Hope that helps. Luckily, placing your child in the correct program is the hardest part of using a HOD product. Teaching it is actually the easy part!
Blessings,
Carrie
April -
I know I've already written a book for an answer, but after reading Carrie's post, I realized I forgot to say that we are doing 1/2 of LHFHG each day rather than all of it right now. We do the left side of the plans one day, and then the right side the next day, alternating between the two throughout the week. I did this because my almost 5 year old still loves to just play and this is what he's ready for right now. Plus, we're doing phonics up big every day. With that being said, we could easily do all of it and still finish within the time I already described.
I know I've already written a book for an answer, but after reading Carrie's post, I realized I forgot to say that we are doing 1/2 of LHFHG each day rather than all of it right now. We do the left side of the plans one day, and then the right side the next day, alternating between the two throughout the week. I did this because my almost 5 year old still loves to just play and this is what he's ready for right now. Plus, we're doing phonics up big every day. With that being said, we could easily do all of it and still finish within the time I already described.
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie