what would be better?

[Betameculia]

I'm juggling a number of options here. I have four boys ages nearly 7, nearly 6 (both September birthdays), 4 (5 in April) and 2 (3 in December). We've been lightly homeschooling for a couple of years now and my oldest two boys are both reading very well for their ages (both could handle DITHOR technically, but maturity-wise would be better off with Emerging Readers). Their maths ability is extremely good and their handwriting competent for their ages.

I would really love to start HoD NOW! We are so in need of flapping our wings a bit and doing a little more but I am so pressed for time - I really need an open and go program and HoD looks just the thing.

If I did start now I would use Little Hearts for my oldest two and Little Hands for my 4 year old (who is ready and desperately keen to do something special like this). BUT, that would put me back to back teaching programs: i.e 2010 Little Hearts and Little Hands, 2011 Beyond and Little Hearts (and Little Hands for my then 3 year old).

If I started with Little Hearts in 2011, I could include my 5 year old. But then I'm worried that the older two would think it a bit babyish to be included with the younger one. He needs something special, anyway.

So, would it be better to launch into Beyond with the older two now (both are definitely at this level for the basics) and do Little Hands with my 4 year old now, ready for Little Hearts next year (the older ones can listen in).

That does put everyone on the young side of the age spectrum. I've had issues of age appropriateness (or inappropriateness!) before with Sonlight and it was absolutely maddening and very discouraging - books being either too far above the maturity level (rather than age level) or too far below. My boys are bright, capable, clever and insightful but they're sensitive. And they still love to simply play. The older two are very competent with chapter books (we've done the Narnia Series, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Famous Five, Homer Price, Boxcar Children, portions of which they have read by themselves), but I am very wary of too much too soon. The book selections and language arts activities in HoD look absolutely spot on, however, and I am really encouraged by this.

So, is it better to keep them on the upper end of the age scale and wait (but what do we do in the meantime???) or simply jump in?

Annette

[lovedtodeath]

We've been lightly homeschooling for a couple of years now and my oldest two boys are both reading very well for their ages (both could handle DITHOR technically, but maturity-wise would be better off with Emerging Readers). Their maths ability is extremely good and their handwriting competent for their ages.

I would really love to start HoD NOW! We are so in need of flapping our wings a bit and doing a little more but I am so pressed for time - I really need an open and go program and HoD looks just the thing.

That's us!

If I did start now I would use Little Hearts for my oldest two and Little Hands for my 4 year old (who is ready and desperately keen to do something special like this). BUT, that would put me back to back teaching programs: i.e 2010 Little Hearts and Little Hands, 2011 Beyond and Little Hearts (and Little Hands for my then 3 year old).

Yes. Do this! Take it from me. I should have just jumped in with Beyond as soon as I discovered HOD. Instead I am waiting.

[Betameculia]

So, you mean start with Beyond right now for the older boys and Little Hands for the younger? While I was writing my post, I was coming to that conclusion. I'll be doing Little Hearts sometime next year anyway with my 5 year old, so no one will miss out, and I'd still have year's gap between curriculum when my littlest one would start it.

Thanks,

Annette

[lovedtodeath]

Based on their ages, I was saying start now with Little Hearts, but I am not an expert on placement. What did the placement chart say?

I am waiting to start HOD until January because we have some remediating/catching up to do and because of finances.

[pjdobro]

I would say to go ahead with Beyond for your older two now if that is where they place. You won't find anything here that is questionable or inappropriate for their age and they both will be in the age range for Beyond come September. Carrie is very good about choosing books that are at the right maturity level for the dc. I would hate to see them miss out on the Story time of Little Hearts , but since they will get to be part of that later when you do it with your younger, they wouldn't really miss out. I love the Story time of Little Hearts and the Thorton Burgess books I think you are spot on in having them do the emerging readers first before moving onto DiTHOR. I'm sure they would do fine with DITHOR, but the emerging readers are a nice way to get your feet wet with a more structured reading program.

Welcome to HOD!

[Betameculia]

Based on their ages, I was saying start now with Little Hearts, but I am not an expert on placement. What did the placement chart say?

I am waiting to start HOD until January because we have some remediating/catching up to do and because of finances.

As far as skills are concerned, both older boys fit in Beyond and Bigger, according to the Placement Chart. So I would start them both in Beyond for the basics component anyway and give them a chance to ease into the method and discipline of HoD language arts, as well as embark on a more systematic reading program. Even with the science, I'd opt for the second grade CLP book rather than the K or 1st book, and do the extensions when we get to Bigger. I would only do Little Hearts for the History and Storytime, but I'll be definitely starting this sometime later next year when my now 4 year old is ready (so no one will really miss out).

Annette

[Betameculia]

I would say to go ahead with Beyond for your older two now if that is where they place. You won't find anything here that is questionable or inappropriate for their age and they both will be in the age range for Beyond come September. Carrie is very good about choosing books that are at the right maturity level for the dc. I would hate to see them miss out on the Story time of Little Hearts , but since they will get to be part of that later when you do it with your younger, they wouldn't really miss out. I love the Story time of Little Hearts and the Thorton Burgess books I think you are spot on in having them do the emerging readers first before moving onto DiTHOR. I'm sure they would do fine with DITHOR, but the emerging readers are a nice way to get your feet wet with a more structured reading program.

Welcome to HOD!

I'm really impressed with the book choices and my gut feeling is to go with Beyond. I feel a bit funny jumping into history with American History. But, then again, American History is just so interesting and I have BIG reservations about teaching Ancient History to littlies anyway (the way it's presented in Little Hearts is an exception).
We really need to roll up our sleeves and get stuck into something.

Thanks,

Annette

[countrymom]

Our oldest is finishing Little Hearts (younger end of age scale) and I have been pouring over Beyond because we will start in July. Based on what you are saying I would go with Beyond and emerging readers.

[MomtoJGJE]

I would go with Beyond, LHTH this year and then next year you could start off each of them half speed in their curriculum Bigger and LHFHG... that way it would take a little longer to get through the curriculum and put them near the middle/upper of the age range for the guides. Then you'd always be every other year in guides.

Or if you just wanted to go with LHFHG you could do it double speed and start Beyond in January/February, which would still have them every other guide, but would put them older in the guides quicker.

It is not necessary however to start with LHFHG... Beyond is a great guide!! We are finishing it with my just turned 7 year old and she had absolutely no trouble with it.

[Betameculia]

I would go with Beyond, LHTH this year and then next year you could start off each of them half speed in their curriculum Bigger and LHFHG... that way it would take a little longer to get through the curriculum and put them near the middle/upper of the age range for the guides. Then you'd always be every other year in guides.

Or if you just wanted to go with LHFHG you could do it double speed and start Beyond in January/February, which would still have them every other guide, but would put them older in the guides quicker.

It is not necessary however to start with LHFHG... Beyond is a great guide!! We are finishing it with my just turned 7 year old and she had absolutely no trouble with it.

I can see Beyond and LHTH working this year. Doing the programs at half pace next year, I think would work well. That's a great idea! Given that I've got four boys and I'll be spending some time teaching my 3rd son to read, not to mention the extra activities the older boys are into, I can see a half-pace program, perhaps alternating the two histories day to day, working really well. It certainly takes the pressure off and will ensure that everyone is well into the age range. I think this is pretty important when we embark on Preparing. I want my boys to REALLY enjoy it!

Thanks,

Annette

[erdrmom]

I feel a bit funny jumping into history with American History. But, then again, American History is just so interesting and I have BIG reservations about teaching Ancient History to littlies anyway (the way it's presented in Little Hearts is an exception).

It has been a year since we have worked on LHFHG, but I don't remember the program having Ancient History. I would classify what was taught more as a general overview of Biblical History. If you read Carrie's philosophy on history, she is in complete agreement about not teaching much of Ancient History until the little ones have a stronger base in their faith and convictions. My dd remembers mostly the overview as "His" story, which I think is what is intended to take away from that year.

Right now we are finishing LHTH and BLHFHG and I don't think you would miss a thing jumping in there if that is where your children place. You won't be missing out on anything if you pass up LHFHG this year, especially if you will be doing it in future years with your little one.

[daybreaking]

My boys are bright, capable, clever and insightful but they're sensitive.

This is my son! Though he's extremely bright, I've had to be very careful what I read to him. I can reassure you that every single one of the reading suggestions I've used from HoD has been spot on and loved by both ds and me. We have yet to find one objectionable book.

As far as placement, I can share what we're doing, just in case it might be helpful. According to the placement charts, my ds, age 7, fits between Beyond and Bigger and is well beyond Little Hearts, so I had started him in Beyond a few months ago. However, the more I looked at Little Hearts, I decided I didn't want him to miss out on the general overview of history found in Little Hearts, as well as the Storytime questions, so we've been doing a "fast speed" mini-version of Little Hearts this spring and will continue over the summer. Then, come fall, we'll once again pick up Beyond. He'll turn 8 in August, so he'll be on the upper end of the age range, but after much thought and prayer, this seems to be the best scenario for us. HTH

[Betameculia]

I can reassure you that every single one of the reading suggestions I've used from HoD has been spot on and loved by both ds and me. We have yet to find one objectionable book.

As far as placement, I can share what we're doing, just in case it might be helpful. According to the placement charts, my ds, age 7, fits between Beyond and Bigger and is well beyond Little Hearts, so I had started him in Beyond a few months ago. However, the more I looked at Little Hearts, I decided I didn't want him to miss out on the general overview of history found in Little Hearts, as well as the Storytime questions, so we've been doing a "fast speed" mini-version of Little Hearts this spring and will continue over the summer. Then, come fall, we'll once again pick up Beyond. He'll turn 8 in August, so he'll be on the upper end of the age range, but after much thought and prayer, this seems to be the best scenario for us. HTH

It is so good to hear, again and again, praises for the book selections. The reasons you give for going back to Little Hearts are exactly the ones that draw me back to the program.

Just out of interest, what is your 'fast speed mini-version'? It had crossed my mind to try something similar.

Annette

[Kathleen]

Hi Annette!

I wanted to pop in and welcome you to HOD, too! It sounds like you've got your placement figured out for your boys. I had one other idea that you could toss around... You could dive into Beyond and LHTH now and use them 4 days per week. This will extend the programs by 9 weeks (and we've even found that pausing for a summer break didn't bother the way my kids jumped back in and loved what we were doing! ). This would allow your boys to get older before you get to the upper guides & give you more flexibility during your weekly schedule. Preparing & up are written this way to allow you to use the 5th day as you choose, so my little ones will do the same with us as we go.

Kathleen

[daybreaking]

Just out of interest, what is your 'fast speed mini-version'? It had crossed my mind to try something similar.

Basically, I have been doing one unit every two days. Each day, we complete 2-3 days of the "Reading through History" block and 2-3 days of the "Storytime" block. I also read the Bible verse on each of the two days and any assigned devotional, and we do the "Rhymes in Motion." If we have time, we'll do some of the activities from the lower left block, but my main focus has been the Storytime and history. I wish I had known about Hod when ds was 5, so we could have taken our time and savored each day, but I'm excited that we're at least able to get a good taste of the components of Little Hearts before doing Beyond. I'm especially thrilled with seeing how excited ds gets when I pull out the Hod manual.