please help a confused mama...

mamamia · Post by **mamamia** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:52 pm

I'm hoping that one of you wise Moms could give me some guidance. I purchased LHFHG and the required books to go along for my 5 yr old son this yr. I love it and really want it to work. The history seemed to be advanced for my son, or not his interest...something. Basically, I started focusing more on bible study and learning through play. With that....I set LHFHG aside. Wow, I'm making this really confusing. I'm trying to set up some details for my coming question. My son can read fairly well and has a pretty good grasp of math. He has lost interest in workbook work and does not like to do handwriting-so I don't push it.

My question.....next yr could I try LHFHG again and also add Beyond LHFHG? Would that be too much? He will be turning 6 this summer. Part of why I am confused is because we have done some of LHFHG but not the "meatier" parts(history, science,math). Should I just do LHFHG again and hold of on Beyond?? One of my concerns is his inability and lack of desire to write. If you have followed this...bless you

Excited because I know that you all are so wise about all this!!!

yayadaisy · Post by **yayadaisy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:08 pm

That is great the your 5 yr. is reading well! You have already done a good job teaching your son. It may be he just isn't all that interested yet in those things. Or maybe he is listening and getting more than you think. I know my kids surprise me all the time with things I didn't think they were learning. You could always take off where you left and just see how it goes. If he seems like it is clicking this time just keep going with it. Also you will more than likely do those same subjects again. Right now it's good to just introduce them to it until they can understand it indepth later on when older. My son learned about early American history last year and this year, but this year he was more interested in it. Maybe an age thing? I am not sure.

My son also doesn't like to write so I try to get him to write just one sentence a day for pratice. Each child will have their stregnths and weak points. You have a lot of time to teach him proper handwriting skills. I wouldn't worry about it yet as long as he tries to do some. You know your child best and it sure sounds like you are doing a good job.

sheila mom of five kids

shera · Post by **shera** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:23 pm

The only one of the subjects you listed that builds on itself is the math. You could try and give him the Singapore placement test and see if he places in 1a. This is the math used in Beyond. You could try and do some of LHFHG now. It is possible he would be more receptive to it. For handwriting you could try sidewalk chalk outside or "writing" ion a salt tray or pudding. Boys especially like this since it is messy and does not use a pencil.

Take a look at the placement chart and see where he would fall LHFHG or BLHFHG. I certainly wouldn't try to do all of both programs at the same time.

Sarah

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:23 pm

If it were me, I would pick up Little Hearts and try again. At 6, he would be just the right age for it. I also think this would give his handwriting some time....Beyond does require a bit more.

The history, science and storytimes are more advanced in Beyond and I don't think you'd want to bump him up into more frustration.

I'll tell you, we had trouble getting into the Little Pilgrims book as well at first. The History Stories for children book is great and now they enjoy ALL of it.

Now, you said you guys focused on some Bible. You may want to look through Little Hearts and start in the middle, the first half in all Bible history (Alexander the Great is in there, and maybe one other...not sure). The second half is more focused on American history with some world history. He would probably find that more excited!

This would give you time to work on that handwriting and have him ready for ALL of Beyond when the time comes.

HTH,

Mel

Tansy · Post by **Tansy** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:17 pm

We used Little for first grade. It worked out fine. I like the idea of picking up where you left off. My dd barely paid attention to history all though little hearts and bigger. only now in beyond is she beginning to be interested. before she only payed attention to George Washington and Ben Franklin. But just at the library today she pulled out a william penn DVD "Mom I want this one."
We used Beyond for 2nd grade and were using Bigger for 3rd and 4th grade.
hope that helps.

Yup Dyslexia strikes again! you know i had it right the first time then I fixed it to be wrong [bang head on wall emote]

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:32 pm

Tansy wrote: We used Bigger for 2nd grade and were using Beyond for 3rd and 4th grade.

I'm going to venture a guess here....I think Tansy means Beyond for 2nd and then Bigger. It is so very easy to get all the names confused.

I also used Little Hearts for 1st grade and plan to do the same as Tansy... Beyond will be 2nd, Bigger 3rd and so forth.

mamamia · Post by **mamamia** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:00 pm

Oh, thanks ladies! This is making sense to me. I'm thinking that this is why Little was slow going for us,he probably was not ready. I'll give it another try maybe starting in the summer.

Is Beyond used for 1st grade or do people mainly use it for 2nd?
This is probably a "that depends" question ....but, is Little usually used for K or 1st?

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:15 pm

mamamia wrote:Oh, thanks ladies! This is making sense to me. I'm thinking that this is why Little was slow going for us,he probably was not ready. I'll give it another try maybe starting in the summer.

Is Beyond used for 1st grade or do people mainly use it for 2nd?
This is probably a "that depends" question ....but, is Little usually used for K or 1st?

So true...it is a "that depends" question. Little Hearts can be K, 1st or 2nd. Beyond can be 1st or 2nd. Bigger could be 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Get the idea?? It's more of a "ability level" than grade level curriculum.

I'll be using Beyond for 2nd, and I think there are a lot of ladies on here doing that as well. I do use a different math, so I don't have to worry about matching up that part. I was using a different LA/reading but have been totally convinced to use the total HOD package. (It does sound like your little guy lines up with Little Hearts for LA as well, is he ready for emerging readers?) My kiddos are reading, just not up to the emerging readers yet.

Just an FYI...Carrie is only (so far) writing up through 8th grade, and if you use LIttle Hearts for 1st, you will come out just perfect.

Post by **Carrie** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:33 am

mamamia,

Welcome to the boards! We're glad to have you here!

With my little guy who had just turned 5, we started "Little Hearts..." at half-speed this year doing a page a day. It has been perfect for his attention span and maturity. So, you could always consider doing that with your little guy. I wouldn't go back and start "Little Hearts..." over, since your little guy can read quite well already. I would just pick up where you left off.

Little ones are all wired so differently in how much they appear to be taking in from the history read-alouds. Boys especially seem spacey during the readings, unless they happen to be an auditory listener (like my first-born was)!

I often think my boys aren't getting anything out of the readings in "Little Hearts...", but you see the fruit of it later, like Tansy was describing with her daughter. They make connections later as you layer the history learning. So, you're just laying the foundation now!

The readings are kept purposefully short, so even if it isn't your son's favorite, it isn't much to "endure"!

The rest of "Little Hearts..." is very get up and move and playful in its feel, so it balances out the short time they need to listen for the readings.

All of that to say that at our house I just progress on with the readings in a very cheerful way, expecting little in the way of overall retention right now, knowing it will come!

Blessings,
Carrie

blessedmomof4 · Post by **blessedmomof4** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:41 am

mamamia-
Is your little guy "wiggly" during read-alouds? I so, here's a tiny suggestion. I have a daughter who is a kinesthetic learner-she's GOT to move. When she was little, I realized she couldn't pay attention to a read-aloud if I made her sit still, but sometimes, letting her hang upside-down from the sofa drove ME nuts, so I came up with the compromise of letting her play with play-doh or legos during read-aloud time. It kept a part of her body moving and improved her ability to focus on what I was reading to her. Also served the dual purpose of strengthening her hands for writing

mamamia · Post by **mamamia** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:39 pm

I'm soaking all this in, thanks for the input! My guy can be wiggly and is somewhat of a visual learner(not sure the term). We have the "hide em in your heart" on video and he loves it.

I was going over the manual where I marked what we have finished. It really is only bits and pieces, seriously only a day or two's worth. When I realized that he was not wanting to do workbook work anymore I stepped back a bit. I'm hoping that come summer and fall he will be less resistant to writing(he seriously dislikes handwriting)and interested in workbooks again.
I just got the new "History stories for children" book. Before we were using only the "Little Pigrims" book. I'm thinking that by next yr he may be ready and more interested in the history portion.
Still a little confused....I feel like I have failed before I really started . I'm determined to figure this out!!

Kathleen · Post by **Kathleen** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:59 pm

mamamia wrote:I feel like I have failed before I really started . I'm determined to figure this out!!

Hi mamamia!

I haven't "met" you yet, but I can tell you you're not failing! You're doing a great job parenting if you're working to figure out what your child, who is an individual created by God, needs!

So, take this as a pat on the back! If you've read many of the posts on this board, you know that we moms spend a lot of time trying to figure out what will be best for our children.

I think if I were you, I'd try Little Hearts too. You already have it, and haven't done it all, and if it's doesn't seem to be challenging enough, you can always make a "Plan B" and try it.

Kathleen

PS You're the 1st person I've tried to quote...we'll see if it worked...

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:52 pm

Hi Mamamia! I so agree with what these ladies have said here already. When I started LHFHG, my ds was on the younger side of it, and it took a bit for him to fully come into that level. I did the left side of the plans one day, and the right side of the plans the next day, rather than both sides every day for a long time, until he was ready for it all. This worked great for us! He eased into it, loved doing it this way, and we had all of the history side themed together doing the left side, and that helped him make awesome connections. One thing your ds may enjoy for writing is marker boards and dry erase markers. My son loved that kind of writing first! I will say that if you take your time doing LHFHG, I know your son will grow into it and love it. I really think that from what you said, LHFHG is the right choice for your ds. Don't be hard on yourself - really a curriculum shouldn't fit a child exactly on every skill and subject right off the bat - or they have nothing to grow into. My oldest ds took about 3 months to be able to do everything asked of him in Bigger... really well, and I was thankful for that because it gave him room to grow. Hope that makes sense somewhat. I totally get what you are saying, but time is a wonderful thing - I think it's all your ds needs; he sounds like a smart little cookie!:o

In Christ,
Julie

mamamia · Post by **mamamia** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:07 am

I really appreciate the encouragement!