How do use your Teachers Guide

[Marcee]

Do you use it this way or do you type something so it's more simplified. I always feel like I'm flipping back and forth and am disorganized. (I do have tabs for the subjects in the index). It drives me nuts not being able to just open to one page and see everything.

[tjswaine]

I use it as is. There are sticky tabs in various places as we are at different places in the guide for History, Math, Language Arts and Storytime.
I like how it lays flat on the table (or couch) and the flipping back and forth doesn't bother me. Maybe if you give a bit of time it won't seem so disorganized. Have fun with Bigger! I'm looking forward to it next year!

[John'smom]

I do not type anything up. I just use these post it page markers in different colors. To mark my main page where we're at, I juse a piece of paper with several weeks of memory verses typed up, so I don't always have to pull out a Bible. Plus the past verses there for me to review every now and then. In the back I have the poetry section marked up high in a certain color. My dd's spot is marked with another flag in a different color. My ds is also doing the last few books (chapter books to get use to this type of thinking about books before we start DITHOR) of the emerging readers and I have it marked with a totally different color flag. I love it!!! Don't feel disorganized at all.

[psreit]

We are doing LHFHG. Since dd is in first grade, I have tabs for 5 different things: 101 Favorite Bible Stories (a replacement text in front of manual), our main page, Math (we are ahead of the actual day since it is Earlybird Math), Science (1st grade guide in back of manual), and Rhymes in Motion. I have colored tabs, but what helps is that I have each one labeled. So, it is very easy to flip to the desired area.

John'smom - I like the idea of having several verses typed up and sticking in the book. I may do that.

[HollyS]

I also have tabs in the books. I think I've gotten used to it. Last year I got so tired of writing everything down in my lesson book, so I find flipping back and forth much easier! The only thing I write in my lesson book is what page we did and extras (gymnastics and field trips).

[twoxcell]

I am using two guides. Dd is using LHFHG as written, and ds is using BLHFHG with SM 2a/2b. I do quite a bit of flipping, but it doesn't bother me. I'm just happy not to have to type anything out.

[annaz]

I have the strong post-it tabs as well, however, I took all the Bible verses (which aren't back there ) and typed them all up for the year. (and I don't know why I even said this. )

I took dd's narration page from the back, copied it and laminated it and she keeps it.

I took the extension package page from the back and typed them all out on address labels and stuck them to the proper Unit and day, so if I wanted to use them, I didn't have to flip.

For Dictation, I type them on an avery label 2"x4" with the dictation on it. Then stick them to an index card for dd. Although I may just print them like the label shows, just not on labels and cut dd's out. I just make another copy for me.

I type out the poem for dd so she has her copy and I flip (gasp!) to that!

For a lot of throw away things like these copy I reuse a lot of my paper...just the back side.

I always have a sturdy tag on my current day. (don't ask me what happens when I forget to move it. )

But too much flipping makes me dizzy. But then I'm on the anal side.

I'm just glad I don't have to flip like I did in another curric. You had to flip somewhere else for a different subject and keep track of that subject on that day somewhere else in the book AND it continued on the same page. That drove me batty.

[creativemommy]

I have really BIG paperclips (4-5 inches long) that I had when I used to teach in the classroom and you can buy them at most teacher supply stores. I used them last year and was happy with the way the worked. This year I use 5 of them between my two children.

For my ds who's in Beyond this year I have one that marks his current unit and one that marks his math plans (finishing up Singapore 1B). To keep the place of the poems in the back of the guide, I use his current copywork paper and a blue piece of paper that I cut a hole in the middle (size of one line of text) for him to keep his place when he copies the poem. For his verse, I write it out on an index card and keep it with the current unit's paperclip along with his 10 spelling words on index cards so they're easily accessible everyday. Once we're done with the verse & words, I tuck them into a 3x5 plastic container for easy access during review units. To keep our places in the history books or storytime books, I use a post-it note for each.

I do the same thing for my daughter in LHTH (Bible), LHFHG (Earlybird Math) and 100 Easy Lessons.

[blessedmomof4]

I use the nifty tabs too.

[HappyMama]

Another tab user here! I don't mind flipping back and forth either, I'm just happy to have everything in one guide.

[Tree House Academy]

I actualy pull all the pages from the binding and put them in a 3-ring binder with the big tab seperator pages. It works well for us!

For poetry, I actually remove the pages, put them in sheet protectors and make them a little notebook of their own. It is easier to copy the poems that way (for the days when he puts them back together) and for picture drawing.

[Marcee]

I actualy pull all the pages from the binding and put them in a 3-ring binder with the big tab seperator pages. It works well for us!

For poetry, I actually remove the pages, put them in sheet protectors and make them a little notebook of their own. It is easier to copy the poems that way (for the days when he puts them back together) and for picture drawing.

I'm used to a 3 ring binder with tabs and I think that may be why the guide is hard for me. I'm also used to a grid format, which may also be why I'm having a hard time with the layout. I haven't used anything other than a grid and this year HOD, so I don't know what other curriculum are like.

I love the idea of removing the poems!

[Marcee]

I do not type anything up. I just use these post it page markers in different colors. To mark my main page where we're at, I juse a piece of paper with several weeks of memory verses typed up, so I don't always have to pull out a Bible. Plus the past verses there for me to review every now and then. In the back I have the poetry section marked up high in a certain color. My dd's spot is marked with another flag in a different color. My ds is also doing the last few books (chapter books to get use to this type of thinking about books before we start DITHOR) of the emerging readers and I have it marked with a totally different color flag. I love it!!! Don't feel disorganized at all.

Which tabs to you use specifically? I see several on the page that the link opens up.

I love the idea of typing out the memory verses! I'm going to do that

[Marcee]

I also have tabs in the books. I think I've gotten used to it. Last year I got so tired of writing everything down in my lesson book, so I find flipping back and forth much easier! The only thing I write in my lesson book is what page we did and extras (gymnastics and field trips).

I was thinking of doing a planner type thing or creating a word document. Sounds like it may be more work than it's worth. What sort of planner do you use for the extras?

[Marcee]

I am using two guides. Dd is using LHFHG as written, and ds is using BLHFHG with SM 2a/2b. I do quite a bit of flipping, but it doesn't bother me. I'm just happy not to have to type anything out.

We are doing Little Hearts and Bigger Hearts. I think it's having two guides to flip around in that is making me feel like I'm running in circles I'm used to a grid format in a 3 ring binder.