Can I make HOD work for my daughter?

[catbeth]

I'm looking for something for dd next year for Pre-K. Nothing seems to fit. She already reads independently. She has already finished a K math program. She can't write yet. Her motor skills are typical. She loves to sing. Her Bible knowledge and understanding are beyond her years, but not her knowledge of the world in general.

I've been obsessively studying all the packaged literature-based programs, and haven't come to a final decision. I don't want to push her, neither do I want to shortchange her. I need something structured, otherwise I won't do anything. I have a 16-month-old, I'm pregnant, and I'm terrible at playing with kids and all the wonderful unschool-ish things that everyone says you're supposed to do with the under-6 set.

Any ideas? Is there any way to make a HOD program fit?

[moedertje]

Hello,

I can feel your need for structure. I am not really one that enjoys to play with little ones in the un-schooling fashion that is why HOD was great.
Maybe if you give some more info you can get better help here.
What math K program you used, what kinds of books she reads and how old your daughter is. Also take a look at the placement chart to see where she places best.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

[my3sons]

I'm looking for something for dd next year for Pre-K. Nothing seems to fit. She already reads independently. She has already finished a K math program. She can't write yet. Her motor skills are typical. She loves to sing. Her Bible knowledge and understanding are beyond her years, but not her knowledge of the world in general.

I've been obsessively studying all the packaged literature-based programs, and haven't come to a final decision. I don't want to push her, neither do I want to shortchange her. I need something structured, otherwise I won't do anything. I have a 16-month-old, I'm pregnant, and I'm terrible at playing with kids and all the wonderful unschool-ish things that everyone says you're supposed to do with the under-6 set.

Any ideas? Is there any way to make a HOD program fit?

Welcome to the HOD Boards, catbeth! Yes, I do believe there is a nice fit with HOD for your dd because you can adjust the LA and math as needed (one of my favorite aspects of HOD ). I am not one that loves to play in an unschoolish way either. HOD was the perfect answer for me because it gives us time together that is fun, that seems like play, but that is really chock full of learning. I agree with moedertje that the placement chart is a great place to start. If you could please share dd's age, what types of books she's reading, and what math program she's done, that would be good.

Generally, I'd say it would be good to choose a program that lets her build her writing skills while still building her reading comprehension and history/science knowledge, as well as doing math that fits her level best. I'm thinking (just from what you've said thus far) that you could place her in Little Hearts for His Glory, using the first grade math option in the Appendix, and adding the Emerging Reader's Set from Beyond. (You could use the Beyond guide for her Emerging Reader's Schedule and math activities for 1A/1B - then when she does Beyond the next year, you could do DITHOR for reading and 2A/2B for math). If she did LHFHG now along with Beyond's Emerging Readers and Math 1A/1B, she would have beginning handwriting then, a great overview of history, gentle science with beginning experiments, and you'd be meeting her needs in reading and math too. But, I am giving myself permission to change this advice until I hear back from you about her a bit more. I just wanted to share that I really do think there is a setup that will work just great for your dd's needs,and this just happens to be the one that seems to fit with what you've said thus far!

In Christ,
Julie

[catbeth]

More information: She's 3, summer birthday. She finished Math-U-See Primer, but got stuck in Alpha when it was time to memorize the +2 facts, so I'm having her a break from it (she LOVES Math-U-See, though!). I can't tell you her reading level, but I can tell you she's starting to read Winnie-the-Pooh by herself and she read the ESV Bible during our family Bible time the other night. Her favorite thing to read is The Young Reader's Bible.

I'll be off-line for a few days. Thank you for your help!

[my3sons]

More information: She's 3, summer birthday. She finished Math-U-See Primer, but got stuck in Alpha when it was time to memorize the +2 facts, so I'm having her a break from it (she LOVES Math-U-See, though!). I can't tell you her reading level, but I can tell you she's starting to read Winnie-the-Pooh by herself and she read the ESV Bible during our family Bible time the other night. Her favorite thing to read is The Young Reader's Bible.

I'll be off-line for a few days. Thank you for your help!

Oh my, she's 3!!! Well, now I understand the writing not being there yet. Please disregard my above advice since I was thinking she was older. I think it's very important not to rush her into an HOD program that is too hard overall because that will set the pace for the future, and while she could possibly do a harder guide now, she couldn't keep up that pace. I think she should do LHTH, and then she could do continue to read short books of your choice, at her own pace, just for fun. This would give her time for her writing to catch up with her reading, and also her listening skills as you read the history to her. She could enjoy the things a 3 yo needs to enjoy - fingerplays, rhymes, music, simple art projects, acting out stories to show comprehension, etc. She'd probably also learn much from the hands-on math along with Singapore, and that will teach so much more than computation, giving her a nice foundation to build on (or Math U See if you prefer).

If you went through LHTH quickly, she'd have a good foundation in all subject areas to begin LHFHG by the time she was almost 5, and I think then she'd be ready for that, though possibly half-speed still. I'd guess you'll either need to go half-speed with LHFHG or Beyond at some point. That has worked amazingly well for our dc, and has kept them challenged yet not frustrated since they are on the very young end of the guides.

Otherwise, if you are still wanting more for her - If she's turning 4 soon in the early summer, she could possibly do LHFHG half-speed, doing the left side of the plans one day, and the right side of the plans the next day. Both of our dc were reading simple books by the time they were 3 1/2, and then blossomed quite quickly into very strong readers (orally that is, now reading comprehension takes a bit longer ), but we opted not to jump into the HOD guides more than 4-6 mos. before the lowest target age range. I've been so glad we didn't - the HOD guides get harder quickly after Beyond, and then into Bigger, and more so into PHFHG, etc. They also require more and more writing and independent work.

Above all, pray, pray, pray, for your decision - because no matter what advice you get here - He ultimately knows what's best! I can guarantee some form of using HOD would bring glory to God though - He is in every part of it, and I believe He blesses our efforts to include Him!

In Christ,
Julie

[Jessi]

To tag along with my3sons- if you did LHTH with her, it might be a good idea to tie in FIAR with it for literature. LHTH would be great as my3sons said about the finger plays, music, art, dramatic play, etc. Perfect for her age. Also, get her some workbooks in math and fun math manipulatives like tangrams, weights, etc....and do that for more math centered learning if you want. Really at this age, read a lot to her and let her read to you. Also, try not to be too eager to push her. If she is content to read and be read to and will do math workbooks without complaining then stay at that pace. The harder stuff will come soon enough.

[Carrie]

catbeth,

The ladies are doing a good job of getting to know your daughter a bit and working to find the right fit placement wise. I just wanted to pop-in and welcome you to the board. We're glad to have you here!

Blessings,
Carrie