keeping kids together but one's not quite ready

[jjdmathnut]

Hi! I have 2 boys, 5 and 4, and we're enjoying LHTH this year. Next year will be kindergarten for my older son. The 4 yo is a bit behind where his big brother was at that age (and that's fine, I know all kids are different!). My questions is this: since they're just 12 months apart, it would be nice to do the same books. So, I wanted to do LHFHG when they're K/1st grade, then move upwards from there. However, what should I do next year as a "filler year", as the older one will be ready for kindergarten, but I don't think the younger one will be? I don't want to do LHFHG and just have the younger one "do what he is able" b/c if we continued that trend, we'd always be in the book that's one step ahead of where he should be. Suggestions??

[erdrmom]

I am by no means an expert here with HOD, but I am confused a little about your question. My first thought would be to have your 5 yo do LHFHG and have your 4 yo sit in with the lessons and do what he is able to do, maybe spreading his year out to 1-2 year for LHFHG. But then I see you don't want to do that. You say that you want to keep them together. I totally understand that for your ease in teaching. But the question that comes to mind is where is your 4 yo behind your 5 yo? Could you modify those areas to "fit" him? At some point, they may be able to be on the "same track" but I think that one of the best things about homeschooling is that we can make our studies fit our kids. Maybe right now they need to have some things at their level. I am sure that's not the answer you wer looking for, but I hope it's helped.

Blessings,

Cindi
www.tdfamily.blogspot.com

[jjdmathnut]

Thanks! I don't expect them to be on the same track exactly, but what I like about Carries's stuff is that each book can be used for 2 different grade levels, if you just use the age-appropriate accompanying books for math and language arts, etc. So, I could use LHFHG for K and 1st, but not really for preschool and K next year. So I guess my question was "what can I do next year"??

[funkmomma71]

When do you plan to start LHFHG? Maybe your 4 year-old will be ready at that point. Also, you may want to NOT think of your boys being in specific "grades". The beauty of homeschooling, and HOD in particular, is that you are not tied down to traditional grades and labels, other than for official reporting purposes. But if you want to keep your boys together, I would do LHFHG at half-speed for both boys until the younger one is able to go full speed. If your older boy needs more stuff you could do his phonics lessons daily and do more read-alouds with him (there is an extensive appendix in the back for more books to read with each unit).

I started my dd in LHFHG while she was still 4 years-old, because I felt she was ready to handle the material, and she was. At first, she begged for more stuff to do, but after awhile she settled down and is happy with doing school as it is written.

Best wishes,
Nancy

[jjdmathnut]

Thanks, Nancy, that's a good idea. I could stretch LHFHG out over 2 years, supplementing along the way. I'm so new to this, and it's really hard for me to get away from the public school mentality of "what grade is everyone in" and doing exactly one year's curriculum between September and May. But by the grace of God and with help from others, I'm gonna catch on to this! My heart's desire is to homeschool, so I trust God to continue to guide me!

[3whizlets]

I think taking 2 years to do LHFHG would be a good idea. The more important thing to focus on is the 3 R's when they are young anyway so anything else they are getting is great. Also, since you have boys that might give them more time to mature. (If they are like my boy they will need it ) One thing you should be sure to assess is your younger ds's progress. If he really seems to be lagging behind, it might be harder to combine them down the road. I only say this b/c my 3 oldest are all almost exactly 2 years apart and I have not been able to combine any of them. They are all at very different levels (frustrating for me!) so it just has not worked. I do hope this is not the case for you.

Enjoy the journey. I have enjoyed every minute of it!!

[water2wine]

I am stretching out LHFHG this way. We use the books in the appendix and we started out by doing the left side one day and then the right side the next. I have also done it where we add the Story Bible plus appendix books on one day but still do the Bible memory verse and Rhymes in motion. Then the next day do HOD as written. It is so versatile and it all works. It has been great for my 4 year old and 6 year old to keep them together. We plan on just seeing how my little one progresses and go at that pace. There is plenty there for my 6 year old working it that way. It just gives me more time to focus on reading with her. Anyway it really is the perfect program for juggling two on different phonics levels. I think you will do great with it. Enjoy!

[SandKsmama]

I think you've already gotten great advice on making Little Hearts work for both your boys. I did want to encourage you that *especially* with little BOYS, planning on doing LHFHG at half-speed (at least at first) is probably a good idea anyway. Those wiggly boys sometimes need a little extra time to be ready for "formal" school stuff.

[jjdmathnut]

Ah, thank you all for your advice and kind words. It's so nice to come to this place (message board) and know that there are others out there like me I look forward to reading and posting more here!

Merry Christmas!

-Jennifer
wife to Bryan (5/29/99), mother to Collin (9/23/03) and Tyler (10/4/04)

[Jessi]

Just something to throw out- If your older son, Collin, needs more than 1/2 speed LHFHG and you are already supplementing with the appendix in the back...one thing I have found that my daughter LOVES doing is that she is learning how to write letters to people. We are picking people in our family that live all over and writing short letters to them. She gets in extra handwriting practice and it is meaningful to her as well. She really enjoys it. Your eldest might like it too. You could have your younger one draw a picture to send to the same person so it could be a family effort.

Also- www.starfall.com is a great place for your little guys to get some phonics and beginning reading assistance. I don't know if you've heard of it yet or not but give it a try. There used to be an EXCELLENT math website that has been frozen because people are stealing the games or something from it but I keep checking it to see if it will open back up called www.rainforestsmath.com .

I really think 1/2 speed is going to be the way to go for you. Good luck!

[Carrie]

I just wanted to chime in and nod my head in agreement with the advice the very wise ladies on this board have given you. They are right on track. Half-speed may give your little one time to grow up enough to join in with your older one... for at least the left side of the plans and the storytime section of the plans of LHFHG each day. The 4 year old will most likely not do the "K" math, handwriting, and phonics until he turns 5. Your 5 year old would do all of LHFHG as is from the beginning. If your older one seems ready for more than half-speed, you could do LHFHG 4 days a week at full-speed, having your 4 year old join you for only the left side and the storytime box on the right side of LHFHG.

Then, when you moved into Beyond with both, your younger kiddo could do the left side and the storytime box of Beyond with your older one and do the math, phonics, and handwriting from LHFHG. Then, your older one would do all of Beyond as written. Just another thought.

If I've completely confused you, let me know, and I'll try to be clearer.

Blessings,
Carrie