Hello guys,
I have written before on here to ask about my children who are in LHFHG who did not seem to be able to answer any questions from me reading "Reddy Fox", etc. Well, the wonderful advice to stick with it and wait for them to develop the skill of listening worked wonderfully for the two 1st graders. They are both now able to answer and seem to be enjoying the readings much more after 11 weeks. They still don't "get" everything from the readings, but can at least answer some comprehension questions. But, my Kindergartner, who just turned 6, still does not seem to listen at all to either Bible/History time or Storytime. He seems to be completely unengaged, and when asked any question at all, he can never answer. We usually do Storytime during snack time. I've tried having him move closer to me to see if that helps him listen. In handwriting, math and phonics, he is progressing along very well. But with listening, I'm just really getting frustrated! My patience is gone with him, and I know that is something I must pray about and a work God must do in me.
I have a 4 year old son who goes to preschool, and on the days he is home, does LHTH with me. He will start LHFHG in the Fall after our summer break. If I contine with my kiddos as planned right now, I will have:
4th & 5th graders - Preparing
2 2nd graders and a 1st grader (my son in question) - Beyond
1 Kindergartner - LHFHG
Since I probably have to do 3 programs next year anyway, should I consider only doing Phonics/Math/Handwriting from LHFHG now with my Kindergartner, and Storytime/activities from LHTH with my 4 year old. Or maybe just reading picture books and not doing LHTH at all. Or, should I keep him plodding along in LHFHG, hoping he will eventually get the things I read to him?
I found this advice from one of Carrie's posts...
"At our house, I too needed to engage my second son rather than having him pulled along with his older brother. I needed to get my second-born to take ownership of his own learning and not be constantly waiting on big brother to answer."
I feel like this son is not taking ownership and is letting the two 1st graders answer all the time. I even "call on them", so he is required to answer instead of waiting for his siblings to answer, but he cannot give any logical answer at all. I just don't know what to do. I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings,
Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Benelli,
I feel for what you're saying. I'm wondering if your little 5 year old is just not quite ready for the pace of LHFHG? He will most likely grow into the readings of LHFHG over time, but probably not at the pace of your 2 first graders. Maturity in listening comprehension often comes with age. Since you already have LHTH and are doing it with your 4 year old, how do you think your 5 year old would respond to doing all of LHTH with your 4 year old, and then continuing on with the phonics, math, and handwriting that he's doing now?
Then, next year, he could progress into LHFHG with the 4 year old, and it would probably be a better fit for that pair of kiddos to be together as they go through the years. You could even do LHFHG at half-speed next year to compensate for doing Beyond and Preparing and still have your then 5 and 6 year olds be in the target age-range for LHFHG.
I'd love to hear more of your thoughts once you read this post.
Blessings,
Carrie
I feel for what you're saying. I'm wondering if your little 5 year old is just not quite ready for the pace of LHFHG? He will most likely grow into the readings of LHFHG over time, but probably not at the pace of your 2 first graders. Maturity in listening comprehension often comes with age. Since you already have LHTH and are doing it with your 4 year old, how do you think your 5 year old would respond to doing all of LHTH with your 4 year old, and then continuing on with the phonics, math, and handwriting that he's doing now?
Then, next year, he could progress into LHFHG with the 4 year old, and it would probably be a better fit for that pair of kiddos to be together as they go through the years. You could even do LHFHG at half-speed next year to compensate for doing Beyond and Preparing and still have your then 5 and 6 year olds be in the target age-range for LHFHG.
I'd love to hear more of your thoughts once you read this post.
Blessings,
Carrie
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Just wanted to chime in and mention what we are doing with our just-turned 5 yo ds. I knew he was ready for the Phonics/Math/Fine Motor sections of LHFHG, but wasn't sure if he would be able to handle the History/Read-aloud portion this year. So we decided to do LHTH and add in Do It Carefully/Finding the Answers, ARFHW K, Phonics and Singapore EB 1A/1B this year. It is working out perfectly for us. It's exactly the right level for where he is right now. In the fall we plan on doing the full LHFHG with Thinking Skills, ARFHW A, Phonics and Singapore EB 2A/2B. Hope that helps!
Sharon
2017-2018
Ben (14yo) 8th with MTMM
and
Sam (12yo) 6th with RTR
Have already used and enjoyed: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, RTR & Rev to Rev
2017-2018
Ben (14yo) 8th with MTMM
and
Sam (12yo) 6th with RTR
Have already used and enjoyed: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, RTR & Rev to Rev
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
I don't know if this will work for you, but it did work for us. My 5 yr dd wasn't comprehending anything I was reading her either. I think we were halfway through Reddy Fox before I figured out how she "listens" well. She had been begging me to color while I read, and I didn't think that was a good idea-you know, she wouldn't be "listening" but coloring. Well, one day I was really tired and didn't want to fight with her over that point, so I let her color. Not only did she comprehend everything I read to her, but her coloring improved as well. She was even able to retell the story to my husband over dinner. So, I have several coloring pages printed (relating to the theme of the unit) ready to go for her to color while I read to her. I have noticed that the same holds true for my ds as well, except that he has to be driving his little cars. He too can retell the stories from LHFHG, even though he's only 3!
I hope this helps, but either way, I will be praying for you to get your answer.
I hope this helps, but either way, I will be praying for you to get your answer.
Blessings,
Cindi
Loved teaching and learning through LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, & DITHOR
Planning for the upcoming year with DD10 in CTC half-pace and DS7 in BHFHG half-pace
Cindi
Loved teaching and learning through LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, & DITHOR
Planning for the upcoming year with DD10 in CTC half-pace and DS7 in BHFHG half-pace
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Thank you all so much for your thoughts. mytwoguys, it sounds like you are doing with your 5 year old exactly what I would be doing with my 6 year old. I appreciate knowing that it is working for you! erdrmom, I had not thought of that, and will try it out tomorrow to see if it helps him! He does really love coloring.
Carrie, what you suggested makes a lot of sense to me, and I think might make a better long run plan for combining my kids through the coming years. I have 2 reservations with joining my 4 and 6 (he just turned 6 in December) year olds, however, that I'd like your insight on. They are "rivals"... They are the 2 of my children that seem to be most competitive towards each other. Especially my 6 year old towards his younger brother. The 4 year old is very bright and with the exception of handwriting, is probably at the same ability level (math, reading, comprehension, large motor skills, vocabulary, thinking skills, etc.) as the 6 year old. He reads and comprehends exceptionally well and the 6 year old can't help but notice, even if I keep it "quiet". It seems that the 6 year old is constantly trying to be first or best or fastest... Of course, I discourage this and encourage them each that God gives everybody differing but equally special gifts. So, I'm not sure what type of dynamics we might have joining these two. Secondly, it also puts my 6 year old outside the age range of LHTH. Is that alright?
If were to keep plodding along with the 6 year old in LHFHG now, for next year, how much more difficult do the readings of Beyond get compared to the Burgess books? Or even the History selections compared to those in LHFHG? I actually have all of the HOD programs in hand except Beyond! I was originally considering putting the upcoming Kindergartner directly into Beyond to have all 4 of them in the same level next year, with the exception of handwriting for my Kindergartner, and the appropriate Maths, of course, so I would just have Preparing and Beyond to teach. Is that a bad idea? More than just for the current ds 6 year old, but also for the younger one who would miss out on LHFHG?
I absolutely LOVE this curriculum and learn so much myself from it. I intend to keep using it as long as you keep writing new levels. I just want to get us onto the right track this first homeschooling year since I have so many kids in a close age range to combine throughout the future years. It is a true blessing to me having not only HOD, but the support and comraderie of this wonderful message board.
Many blessings!
Lisa
Carrie, what you suggested makes a lot of sense to me, and I think might make a better long run plan for combining my kids through the coming years. I have 2 reservations with joining my 4 and 6 (he just turned 6 in December) year olds, however, that I'd like your insight on. They are "rivals"... They are the 2 of my children that seem to be most competitive towards each other. Especially my 6 year old towards his younger brother. The 4 year old is very bright and with the exception of handwriting, is probably at the same ability level (math, reading, comprehension, large motor skills, vocabulary, thinking skills, etc.) as the 6 year old. He reads and comprehends exceptionally well and the 6 year old can't help but notice, even if I keep it "quiet". It seems that the 6 year old is constantly trying to be first or best or fastest... Of course, I discourage this and encourage them each that God gives everybody differing but equally special gifts. So, I'm not sure what type of dynamics we might have joining these two. Secondly, it also puts my 6 year old outside the age range of LHTH. Is that alright?
If were to keep plodding along with the 6 year old in LHFHG now, for next year, how much more difficult do the readings of Beyond get compared to the Burgess books? Or even the History selections compared to those in LHFHG? I actually have all of the HOD programs in hand except Beyond! I was originally considering putting the upcoming Kindergartner directly into Beyond to have all 4 of them in the same level next year, with the exception of handwriting for my Kindergartner, and the appropriate Maths, of course, so I would just have Preparing and Beyond to teach. Is that a bad idea? More than just for the current ds 6 year old, but also for the younger one who would miss out on LHFHG?
I absolutely LOVE this curriculum and learn so much myself from it. I intend to keep using it as long as you keep writing new levels.
I just want to get us onto the right track this first homeschooling year since I have so many kids in a close age range to combine throughout the future years. It is a true blessing to me having not only HOD, but the support and comraderie of this wonderful message board.Many blessings!
Lisa
Lisa, Mama to 7 -
PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along
PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Lisa,
Normally I wouldn't suggest that your Kindergarten child sit in on LHTH, however if you have the math, phonics, and handwriting going well, then you really have your kindergarten basics covered. Sitting in on LHTH for the remainder of the year wouldn't really be a step back as you'd still be going forward with the rest of the kindergarten basic skills. Doing LHTH until summer would just give your K-er some time to grow up as a listener and to mature a little before heading into LHFHG next fall. It would also give you more of a chance to enjoy your first graders and to be less frustrated with your K'er.
As far as the competitive nature between your 4 and 6 year old goes... that is something to consider. However, sometimes a little competition can be healthy in pushing the older child to strive harder. I noticed that when my first and second son were paired together, my oldest took over, and my second son was content to sit back and let the older one do all the responding and thinking. I am wondering if this what is happening now with your K'er who is in with your first graders?
In contrast, whenever my second son is paired with my third son, he does a better job of stepping up and answering and participating. This may be the case with your 6 year old as well. He may "do more" to "keep up" with the 4 year old.
I also think that it is always better to err on the side of giving kiddos plenty of time to grow into the skills, rather than pushing them too young (especially with boys). By next year, you'll know that your K'er is "old enough" to do the skills required in LHFHG. A year can make SO much difference.
On the flipside, if you really want to keep your 3 kiddos together, I will say that it took my K'er half a year to really get better at the listening comprehension required in LHFHG, so you could wait longer and see how your K'er comes along by the half-way mark, if you prefer to go that route.
As far as combining ALL the kiddos in Beyond next year... that would be a last option. The readings in Beyond are longer in both the history box and the storytime box. I think you'd be better off keeping the kiddos separate for awhile yet and getting their basic skills down (listening and following directions included). Then, you could always move them together later if they are ready. Even if you needed to go to LHFHG at half-speed to help out time-wise that would be fine. Just some food for thought.
Blessings,
Carrie
Normally I wouldn't suggest that your Kindergarten child sit in on LHTH, however if you have the math, phonics, and handwriting going well, then you really have your kindergarten basics covered. Sitting in on LHTH for the remainder of the year wouldn't really be a step back as you'd still be going forward with the rest of the kindergarten basic skills. Doing LHTH until summer would just give your K-er some time to grow up as a listener and to mature a little before heading into LHFHG next fall. It would also give you more of a chance to enjoy your first graders and to be less frustrated with your K'er.
As far as the competitive nature between your 4 and 6 year old goes... that is something to consider. However, sometimes a little competition can be healthy in pushing the older child to strive harder. I noticed that when my first and second son were paired together, my oldest took over, and my second son was content to sit back and let the older one do all the responding and thinking. I am wondering if this what is happening now with your K'er who is in with your first graders?
In contrast, whenever my second son is paired with my third son, he does a better job of stepping up and answering and participating. This may be the case with your 6 year old as well. He may "do more" to "keep up" with the 4 year old.
I also think that it is always better to err on the side of giving kiddos plenty of time to grow into the skills, rather than pushing them too young (especially with boys). By next year, you'll know that your K'er is "old enough" to do the skills required in LHFHG. A year can make SO much difference.
On the flipside, if you really want to keep your 3 kiddos together, I will say that it took my K'er half a year to really get better at the listening comprehension required in LHFHG, so you could wait longer and see how your K'er comes along by the half-way mark, if you prefer to go that route.
As far as combining ALL the kiddos in Beyond next year... that would be a last option. The readings in Beyond are longer in both the history box and the storytime box. I think you'd be better off keeping the kiddos separate for awhile yet and getting their basic skills down (listening and following directions included). Then, you could always move them together later if they are ready. Even if you needed to go to LHFHG at half-speed to help out time-wise that would be fine.
Just some food for thought. Blessings,
Carrie
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Hello. Just wanted to give an update! Today, I had my 6 year old do his handwriting, math, and phonics, and join his younger brother for the entire LHTH. He LOVED it. Instead of "competing", he seemed to step up, just like you said might happen, Carrie! He let the four year old answer the first two questions I asked, then, for the 3rd question, he piped in with his answer. He seemed so pleased with himself! It seems like this will be a great path for us!! Thank you so much for your willingness to walk through ideas with me!
Now, we still will do our Burgess readings during snack, but I will not require the two younger boys to sit in if they are finished with snack, or to answer questions. It shouldn't hurt that they will have heard the stories THIS year, and still do them again for their own comprehension NEXT year, will it? It seems to me, kids like repitition anyway... They ask to have the same stories read, watch the same movies, etc.
You know another special part about doing 2 in Bigger, 2 in LHFHG, and 2 in LHTH? At reading times, I can have one kid on one side of me, and one kid on the other to enjoy the snuggle time with! With the 3 together, one was always on the "outside" of the close time! I feel very relieved and happy!!! We had a GREAT day!
Now, we still will do our Burgess readings during snack, but I will not require the two younger boys to sit in if they are finished with snack, or to answer questions. It shouldn't hurt that they will have heard the stories THIS year, and still do them again for their own comprehension NEXT year, will it? It seems to me, kids like repitition anyway... They ask to have the same stories read, watch the same movies, etc.
You know another special part about doing 2 in Bigger, 2 in LHFHG, and 2 in LHTH? At reading times, I can have one kid on one side of me, and one kid on the other to enjoy the snuggle time with! With the 3 together, one was always on the "outside" of the close time! I feel very relieved and happy!!! We had a GREAT day!
Lisa, Mama to 7 -
PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along
PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Lisa,
I'm celebrating with you! HOORAY! I'm so glad it helped to talk through options. Kiddos change so much as the year progresses that often a little tweaking is needing to get the "right fit". Praise the Lord that your little one enjoyed being the "older one" in the mix for a change. I love the image of you cuddling with one little sweetie on each side of you!
Thanks so much for sharing your update, as I often wonder how things discussed on the board turn out for moms!
Blessings,
Carrie
I'm celebrating with you! HOORAY!
I'm so glad it helped to talk through options. Kiddos change so much as the year progresses that often a little tweaking is needing to get the "right fit". Praise the Lord that your little one enjoyed being the "older one" in the mix for a change. I love the image of you cuddling with one little sweetie on each side of you! Thanks so much for sharing your update, as I often wonder how things discussed on the board turn out for moms!
Blessings,
Carrie
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
Wow! I'm so glad that it's working out well for you guys. I know that's such a relief to you!
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
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
Re: Advice in changing my Kindergartner's program
I just had to share one more thing! My 2 1st graders who have now "grown into" listening and comprehending the Burgess stories are really growing! Yesterday, we were reading Danny Meadow Mouse, and one of the comprehension questions in "Little Hearts" was "Do you think Reddy Fox will ever catch Danny Meadow Mouse?" My son answered quickly "No". But what surprised me was when I asked him "Why not?" and he said... "Because in Reddy Fox and Peter Cottontail, Reddy and Granny never catch Peter Rabbit, so they probably won't catch Danny Meadow Mouse either". I was so pleased with his making the connection because he is learning to know these characters!! I'm just tickled pink! This is definitely a leap for him to make this type of comprehension/connection! Meanwhile, my Kindergartner is still enjoying schooling with his brother in LHTH and doing his phonics and math on his level... What peace in my home!!
Blessings,
Blessings,
Lisa, Mama to 7 -
PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along
PHFHG with Ben (9) and Ellie (11) with extensions
BLHFHG half-speed with Sophie (8) and Anthony (7) with Emerging Readers and Draw*Write*Now
LHFHG with Thomas (7) and Nicholas (5) with Emerging Readers
and Lily Jane (2) tagging along