Your opinions, please

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Candice
Posts: 831
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:48 pm
Location: Southern California

Your opinions, please

Post by Candice » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:40 pm

Hi,

I just wanted to get some opinions on which direction to go with HOD and my daughter, who will be 5 in January.
I am not stressing about this since my daughter is so young, but it has been on my mind lately and I thought I would put it out there for you ladies to comment.

Some background...We began and used LHTH when my dd was about 3.5-4.5 years old. I sort of hopped around with the program, dabbled in other stuff and ultimately never finished the program. Bottom line, it was not utilized as intended by the author (Hi Carrie :wink: ), so I know we missed out on really benefiting from LHTH and just letting it unfold naturally to teach my daughter some really wonderful stuff. The portion that we did complete was very enjoyable, and by far, a favorite for my daughter. Without a doubt she loves LHTH.

Since this past Aug/Sep I decided to begin LHFHG as I felt my dd was ready to move forward with phonics, math, etc.
For the most part, LHFHG has been a really good fit in all areas, with the history and devotional reading being a bit of a stretch for her. She enjoys the program and is eager to learn, and to ask and answer any questions with the material.

Anyway, what I am considering is putting LHFHG aside until some time next Fall and re-starting LHTH. I would begin LHTH in January, perhaps 2 pages a day, and add in LA and math at her level. I would add in The Reading Lesson (we have done about 1/3 of the book already) and the Singapore EB Math. I would also add in the CLP K science text that is written into LHFHG. Basically, I would do LHTH and add in the K level material from LHFHG.
After LHTH is completed, we could move on to LHFHG and do all of the 1st grade level material that is written into LHFHG.

I feel like I have finally come to a place in my homeschool where I realize the importance of teaching God's Word and godly character before anything else. I now know that the foundation has to come first. I realize that just a year ago, I was so concerned and consumed with finding the so called perfect curriculum and materials. I wasted so much energy, time, and money doing so. I know now, without a doubt, that we will be making our journey with HOD the entire way (unless He shows otherwise). I know that HOD is absolutely perfect for our family in all ways, it is perfectly woven together to give us the best academic and godly education. It really is wonderful to be at peace about this finally.

So, all of thet to say, I feel that starting at the beginning with HOD, and enjoying and savoring LHTH is where we should be. I think LHTH is much too valuable and fun to skip. And why hurry? I am actually thankful that I have the opportunity to back up a bit and work through the program in a fun, relaxed and meaningful way.
And just for the record, when I mentioned to my daughter the possibility of starting over with LHTH, she jumped up and down and cheered! :D She also said, "Mommy, we can do LHTH again and then when we are finished, we can do LHFHG". I am so glad she has it all figured out :lol:

I just read over my post and it kind of looks like I already have my answer, but I would still love to hear any opinions or comments if you have them.

Candice

inHistiming
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Location: Central VA
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Re: Your opinions, please

Post by inHistiming » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:23 pm

We have been doing LHTH(albeit very s-l-o-w-l-y due to various circumastances) with our ds 5. He is on the young side (turned 5 in June) and I felt he was not ready for LHFHG. My son loves the bible, the fingerplays, etc. We are using the K handwriting and EB math, along with Do it Carefully from the LHFHG package...so I guess when we get there we'll order 1st grade materials for math and continue with wherever we are in phonics by then. I have the Beyond... manual too, so when he's ready for the emergent reader's schedule we have it in there to follow. This year is being considered his K year, and next year 1st with Little Hearts...and so on with each manual. Anyway, all that to say that LHTH would be fine to do, especially if you never finished and your dd is so excited about it....and it will only give her extra time to gain the maturity she will need for the future manuals. I say go for it....all the way with HOD can't be a mistake in my opinion! :D

water2wine
Posts: 2743
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: GA

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by water2wine » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:02 pm

Candice,

I think you have answered your own question. :D Use it the way that works best for you. Your plan sounds good to me. I love your focus and I enjoyed reading about your journey. :D
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)

ncmomof5
Posts: 211
Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:02 pm

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by ncmomof5 » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:00 pm

Candice,

I am currently using LHTH with my 4yo ds. We are not doing everything simply because I see that he is not retaining the material. He enjoys the finger plays, Bible reading, etc., but the more academic material is going over his head. Depending on how he matures over the next 6-9 months, I may go back and repeat LHTH when he's 5. I held back my middle son, who is now 7, and he is doing beautifully. I am so glad I didn't push him to "stay on grade level".

You can't go wrong with slowing things down and savoring the moments.

In His love,
RuthAnn
2013 - 2014
15 yo dd -- MTMM
13 yo ds -- MTMM
12 yo ds -- finish PHFHG/CTC
9 yo ds -- finish BLHFHG/BHFHG
5.5 yo dd -- LHFHG

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Matthew 6:32

Mommamo
Posts: 616
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:31 pm
Location: TX

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by Mommamo » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:57 am

I think your plan sounds great.

My dd who turned 5 in September is on Unit 26 of LHFHG and is thriving, but I have these moments where I wish I had started her with LHTH and added in the K stuff from LHFHG. Like I said, dd is thriving and loving every second of it, but I think she'd love the fingerplays, etc, and there is absolutely no need to rush. Enjoy this time and I think you made the right decision.
Momma to my 4 sweeties:
DD 14 - MTMM and DITHOR (completed LHFHG, Beyond, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, took a couple years off, and now she's back!)
DS 11 and DD 9 - Preparing(completed 2 rounds of LHTH, LHFHG, Beyond, and Bigger)
DD 6 - LHFHG

momof4
Posts: 133
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:42 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by momof4 » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:24 am

Hi Candice,
I think your plan sounds really good. We ended up doing something similar last year. Ds was 4.5 when we started LHTH and just loved it! Very quickly, though, he wanted more, but I didn't think he was quite ready for LHFHG. We added K math and Reading Made Easy and a bunch of preschool workbooks that we had around the house. This was perfect for him. I will say that as things got more difficult in the math and phonics, I had to slow down for awhile because you could see in his eyes that he just wasn't ready for it. We even put the phonics away for a month or so. So keep an eye out for "The Look".

We are doing LHFHG this year and it is going wonderfully! I'm so glad we just enjoyed LHTH and didn't rush too fast. There have been a couple of times with math and phonic where I get "the look" and we just slow those down for a few days and something clicks and we start up again. Since we were a little ahead in those areas, it has worked out perfectly. I think you will be happy with your decision when you look back next year. Enjoy this time and keep us updated on how it is going!

Laurie
dd's 22, 17
ds 9 - Bigger
dd 5 - LHFHG

Carrie
Site Admin
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Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by Carrie » Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:51 pm

Candice,

It sounds like you have talked through where your heart is with your daughter! 8) If you do choose to set aside LHFHG and return to LHTH, I would probably advise just picking LHFHG back up where you left off when you return to it later. There's no reason to repeat the part of LHFHG you've already done. The same is probably true with what you've already done with LHTH. You could just pick it up and finish mainly where you left off. Anyway, just some food for thought. It will really help keep it fresh not to repeat. :D

If LHFHG is working for you, you could also just keep on going with it too. There's many moms who use HOD who came to it later and never used LHTH. It works fine for them too. You know your daughter best, and I know you'll choose wisely. :D

Blessings,
Carrie

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by my3sons » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:17 pm

Candice - I think you could either repeat or not repeat - for the same reasons already posted. Whatever you decide to do, I think you are going to enjoy settling into doing the day's worth of plans all in a row. You'll get to see so many neat connections this way, and I think it's wonderful that your dd is excited no matter what you choose with HOD! She sounds like such a little honey! :D If our dc's hearts and attitudes are right, everything just goes so much more smoothly and happily.

In Christ,
Julie :)
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

Candice
Posts: 831
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:48 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by Candice » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:10 am

Thank you everyone for your responses, I truly appreciate it.

I have to admit I am still very much undecided at this point because going either way would be beneficial. If I had to determine which way I am leaning, I suppose it would be to continue on with LHFHG because the bible portion is so appropriate for my daughter's hunger to learn more in that area. She really wants to know so much detail at this point and LHFHG really fills that need. I also suspect that I am having a bit of a hard time "letting go" of LHTH and moving on, especially since it was never completed. So, looks like I still have a bit of thinking to do, just want to do what is best for my daughter.
Thanks again for your input here, I value your opinions and support!

Candice :D

water2wine
Posts: 2743
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: GA

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by water2wine » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:46 am

Candice here is something that might help you decide. If you look at your daughter now would she be a better fit for the last half of LHTH or is LHFHG the best fit for her right now. If you can just take all emotions out of it and look at placement for you that might help. I am a finisher and I have used this to help me decide before. Sometimes you are ready to move on and guilt keeps you there because after all you did not finish it. :? And sometimes that tug is because there is more there for you and you realize it is really what they need and it is on your shelf. I am thinking an honest look at her current needs might help. I hope. :D Just try asking yourself where would she best fall today and put the past behind. I hope this is helpful for you. I am just trying to put myself in your shoes. :wink:
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)

Candice
Posts: 831
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:48 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by Candice » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:15 pm

W2W,

You really are the best! :D

I am going to really take a look at what you said and see where it puts her. Yep, it is pretty obvious I let my emotions guide me and I really don't want to do that!

Okay, thanks so much, I feel like I have a good perspective to start with. Thanks for putting yourself in my shoes.

Candice :D

water2wine
Posts: 2743
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
Location: GA

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by water2wine » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:47 pm

Oh good. I am glad it helped. It is hard to decide sometimes and harder even still to take our emotions out of it. :roll: Sometimes that is what I have to do to figure out where we are headed. I hope you are able to decide. :D
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)

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8128
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by Carrie » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:33 pm

Candice,

I fully agree with the way you and water2wine have worked through the selection process! I know that it is SO tough to feel like you are skipping over something. We have many parents that come into HOD longingly looking at the programs they've missed. We always advise them to place their kiddos where they are now and just move forward. By meeting your little sweetie where she is at, you'll actually feed her spirit more with the things she needs right now. :wink:

I will admit that with my first son we didn't finish half of what I'd planned for his preschool year or his kindergarten year! I hadn't written our guides at that point and was never really getting to all of my great ideas. :roll: Yet, he's doing well and always has. I wish he could have had all of our programs, yet he never gets to do them in their entirety as he's our poor test child. Still, he is thriving and loving his school too, so don't worry that your daughter has missed out. Just find peace in the fact that you have her correctly placed, and she's thriving. Hooray! :D

Blessings,
Carrie

Candice
Posts: 831
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:48 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: Your opinions, please

Post by Candice » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:54 pm

Carrie,

Thank you very much. I am realizing that it is more important to place her based on her specific needs right now.
While I think we would do just fine going either way, going forward with LHFHG just makes the most sense for many reasons.

The good news is we get to go through LHTH for sure with my youngest daughter, and I will be sure to move through the program in it's entirety and savor every bit. Perhaps a lesson learned!

Thanks again everyone, as Mama mary would say, I am definitely a "Betty" and I need to talk things through! Thanks for listening!

Candice :D

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