I need help deciding which levels to use

[melonie]

I've been looking and looking over the web-site and reading all your sites and I can't decide which levels to use. I've used the placement chart and I have somebody in every level. I have decided that I want to wait on Preparing (that narrows it some). I really like doing as much as possible
(Bible, History, Science, etc.) together as a family but there's so much in every level that I don't want to miss. I have a 3yod that would love the activities in Little Hands even though I know it wouldn't be absolutely necessary for her to have her own level. Then I have a soon to be 7yob
that really is more of a 1st grade level (reading cvc words only). I was thinking Little Hearts for him. Next is an
8yog that I guess would be an emerging reader but is still really learning all
the phonics rules. No writing really. I was thinking of Beyond for her.
Then my 9 & 10 yog would really enjoy Bigger but they've had no grammar
and I thought the grammar in Beyond would be good for them.
I just want to do it all!!! What do you all think?

[netpea]

Hi, I'm sure you will get more advice from the other women here. We all love to help. At first glance I would see you doing 3 programs. LHFHG for the 7yo, Beyond for the 8yo (or maybe she could do LHFHG too) and Bigger for the oldest two. you could hold off on LHTH for the 3yo until she is 4.
I don't think Beyond is going to be enough for the olders.
Someone more experienced could give you better advice though.

[mom2boys030507]

Welcome to the boards.

From Reading what you wrote, my first thoughts were Little Hearts and Bigger Hearts. I would but your 7yo and 8yo in Little Hearts. I would use the Emerging Readers for your 8yo - the schedule is in Bigger Hearts and Beyond. I would do this because you said your 8yo is not writing much and I think it would be easier to up the amount of writing in Little then to try and slow it down in Beyond. I would also get the appropraite math for each. I would also think that your 9yo and 10 yo would do fine in Bigger. Now I am not there yet but I would think they should be able to pick up the grammer fine and if that is your main reason for holding them back I just don't think that is high enough on my list. I think you will be able to get them "caught" if you have too. I would think that you can get Little Hands or wait another year. Little Hands does only take 20-30 min but many times a letter coloring page is enough to make them happy for "there school time." This is what I do with my 3yo and he is very happy with it.

I hope this doesn't make things more confusing to you. These are just the first impressions I had as I read your post. Oh in case you haven't heard the hardest part about HOD is deciding what level or levels you are going to use. Then the fun begins.

Karen

[my3sons]

Hi Melonie! Welcome to the boards! I agree that you could do your 7yo and 8 yo in Little Hearts for His Glory - unless you think there might be unhealthy competition there. For your 7 yo you could use the R & S workbooks, A Reason for Handwriting K, and the Earlybird Kindergarten math. For your 8 yo, you could use the Gr. 1 Thinking Skills book, A Reason for Handwriting A, and if need be, 1A/1B Math and the Emerging Readers. These are all mapped out in the LHFHG guide except for the 1A/1B Math and the Emerging Reader's schedule. As already mentioned, the Emerging Reader's Schedule is in the Bigger... guide's Appendix.

For your older 2, I agree that Bigger... would be a great fit. Don't worry about the grammar - I think they'd be fine starting with the grammar in Bigger... We're actually just finishing up LHFHG and Bigger... now, and it's been a wonderful year.

It would really be your call if you wanted to do LHTH with 3 yo. You may want to wait a year though, and just have your 3 yo join in on parts of LHFHG. Then, you'd have a very nice "cycle" going for your children and for you too!

Of course, if your heart is leading you to do Beyond with your 8 yo - you could certainly do that too.

Glad you are here and keep on posting - we like to get to know you!

In Christ,
Julie

[Kathleen]

Hi Melonie!

I wanted to welcome you, too! I think that your 9 and 10 yo would be fine in Bigger. The R&S Grammar starts at the beginning...not assuming that they know any grammar. I haven't started it yet, but I think it takes nice small, steady steps from what I've read here. I don't think you mentioned if either of them really likes to read...but there's an extension pack that goes along with Bigger which is extra independent reading for those on the high side of the age range. Maybe your 10 yo would like that...but it's not necessary unless you need to "beef it up".

I know that there is extra related reading in the Appendix of LHFHG, too. Maybe that would give your 8 yo a little more info. Maybe you could have one of the older 2 read some of those books to the younger ones. (Maybe instead of the extension to Bigger?) I really have no experience with this yet...just throwing out ideas. I'm sure someone more experienced will share some of that experience with you!

I love LHTH! But since you're looking to start something new with your whole crew, you may want to wait until you get into in a few months.

Hopefully some of these thoughts were helpful...not just confusing!
Kathleen

[Melanie]

Hi Melonie! (My name gets spelled that way often by mistake!)

My first thought for you was to try if possible to get them into only 2 programs. I would try either Little Hearts or Beyond with your 7 and 8 yo and do Bigger with your older two. I think it would be fairly smooth running 2.....there are many ladies on this board doing just that and very successfully! I agree with waiting for your 3 yo another year.

Someone on this board once gave some good advice about how to get started with two programs by easing into it....wish I could remember who that was ...but it was basically just to start with little steps (only one side of the plans per day or waiting a few weeks to start Drawn) and working your way up to the full program. (For some reason, I think it was Darci who told how she started two programs at once, but it could have been w2w??)

Welcome to HOD and we all hope you love it as much as we do! Ask away with questions....we all like to pitch out ideas as I think it helps all of us to see things from different perspectives.
Melanie (aka Mel)
We'll have to come up with a different nickname for ya other that Mel, although in college my nickname was Mellie b/c I LOVE Jellie Bellie jellybeans!!

[Carrie]

Melonie,

The ladies are doing a terrific job of giving you advice. I agree with them that placing your kiddos into 2 programs (and then adding "Little Hands..." later) is a good idea.

I agree that the 9 and 10 year old would fit great in "Bigger...". Like Kathleen mentioned, you could do the Extension Package for your 10 year old if that child is reading well-enough to handle those readings independently. If not, then you don't need the Extension Package.

For your 7 and 8 year old, you could either go with "Little Hearts..." or "Beyond...". If the 7 and 8 year old are pretty good at listening to read-alouds that are more chapter book like (without pictures) then "Beyond..." is a better placement. However, if they still prefer books with pictures and shorter picture book style readings, then "Little Hearts..." would be better.

Also, if the 7 and 8 year-old are ready for basic spelling lists, then "Beyond..." would be better. If they're ready to move into copywork of a sentence at a time and are ready for a gentle introduction to grammar once a week, then "Beyond..." is the right placement. If that sounds much too difficult, then "Little Hearts..." wpuld be better.

If you have other questions, ask away. We're glad you're here.

Blessings,
Carrie