Hi! I've been reading all the posts here for the last few weeks and love how all of you are so willing to offer input. So I thought I'd pose my questions here. I have a 7y.o. son (8 in just a couple weeks) who is finishing up 2nd grade, a 5 y.o. son who will be in kindergarten next year, a 3 year old daughter and a 10 month old son (who just started walking and is now into everything, making our homeschooling a little more difficult!!) We have homeschooled from the beginning, mostly using KONOS unit studies. We love KONOS and I am very pleased with the kids' understanding and retention of the wide variety of science and social studies topics we've focused on. However, for one year, I'd like to have things a little more planned out for me and I just have the itch to try something new. Also, we live in the Midwest, and there is a chance that we will be driving to Washington D.C. and the surrounding area in summer of 2009 and if it does happen, I want the kids to benefit from it as fully as possible by having a basic understanding of United States history. I could do this using KONOS, and no matter which curriculum I choose, I know that we will incorporate some of the activities (the kids have already made me promise that we won't stop using KONOS completely). However, like I said earlier, I want something a tad more structured and I like the idea of having "spine" books rather than having to depend completely on library books. I definitely want to include more literature such as the books by Alice Dagliesh and the d'Aulaire books, but at least this way, if I don't get the chance to get to the library or time is limited, I can just pull out the spine book and the kids will also know what to expect. (I think this would benefit my almost 8 year old as well. Sometimes I think my somewhat eclectic style of teaching doesn't match up as well as it needs to with his need for predictability and order. I think using HOD would help a lot with meeting that need.)
I've been poring over the samples and so on trying to decide what to do. While I've looked at several programs and others look very enticing as well, what consistently pulls me back to HOD is how well it incorporates Bible truths rather than making it another subject that could be pulled out very easily. Also, it just seems so balanced in terms of variety of learning styles, etc.
I'm so confused about what to do though. If I look at the placement chart, my 5 year old places well in Little Hearts, though possibly in Beyond. He's just starting to read simple books with 3 letter words and basic sight words. He can write all his uppercase letters and about 2/3 of the lowercase letters. He's about 2/3 of the way through Earlybird 2A and will likely work on 2B through the summer. He much prefers picture books, though, to longer readings without pictures though I've just started doing some longer readings with him recently in preparation for next year and he's enjoying them more than he has in the past.
My almost 8 year old (3rd grade next year) has been reading chapter books for a couple years. He's currently reading James and the Giant Peach, loves the Boxcar children books, etc. He has a very good grasp of the mechanics of writing, has always been naturally good at spelling, etc. I'd say he's probably about a year above grade level in his writing skills. He's finishing up Singapore Math 2B so will begin 3A in fall. He just completed Cheerful Cursive this week and has very nice cursive handwriting. (He requested to start learning cursive last year in first grade, but we started off at a very gentle pace and then just picked it up again last fall.) I knew HOD would probably be a good fit for us because we already were using several resources that Carrie has chosen, so we must think alike in some areas! When I look at the placement chart, he definitely places in Bigger and possibly even in Preparing, though I'd lean towards Bigger so as not to rush things. (Funny how when he was younger I wanted to challenge him as much as possible! Now, though, I see the benefit of holding back a bit to allow him plenty of time to pursue his own interests, etc. He's one who comes up with so many neat ideas for learning on his own, wants to write about things he experiences, etc.
So my dilemma is this. I just simply can't fathom teaching two separate programs for my 5 and 8 year old in fall because we're used to learning as a family. This year has been wonderful because my 5 year old was old enough to really get involved in our schoolday and both boys were interested in the books we were reading, and even my 3 year old has been involved in a lot of the experiments, acting-out of stories, etc. Yes, sometimes it's difficult because the boys will compete to answer questions and so on, but it's wonderful being able to talk about we're learning, make connections to things we read, do tons of hands-on projects together, etc. and I just don't see us being able to do that if ds5 is learning completely different things than ds8. While I work with each child independently on math and language arts, we love learning about history, science, art, etc. all together. Sometimes I use books that are geared more specifically to one of the children and the other chooses not to listen, but usually we're learning together. (Honestly, even when I work with my 5 y.o. on something on his own that is "fun", my older ds always wants to participate even if it is for learning a skill that is way too easy for him, be it a game, dramatization, etc.) Initially I thought I'd do LHFHG (and I even went ahead and bought it) and BHFHG becuase I read posts on this board about moms who are doing it very successfully by having one child work independently while working with the other child, etc. But then, the more I got to thinking about it, I realized that it will likely be a three ring circus if I'm doing that for all of our schooling! That's what I do for math and reading, but I truly can't picture doing it for everything. My 8 yo doing his own writing or math as I read to his brother about Columbus and have him scooting across the floor acting out the course he took? Um, my 8 y.o. would be right in there wanting to do it too (even though we'd be in another room, he just would not be able to concentrate and would have to come see what we're doing. I know him too well!) Also, then my 5 y.o. would not be getting the American history background that I'd like him to have in the event that we do go to D.C. He picks up on science/social studies concepts quickly and has a mind like a steel trap, so I know he'd really benefit from the knowledge about our country.
I see that Beyond is for ages 6-8, so I'm now thinking that perhaps I should just combine the two of them in that. This is where I'd like some input. 5 y.o. ds will be 6 in December, so he's not too far off from that, and older ds will be 8 for the whole school year, but 3rd grade and an advanced 3rd grader at that. I'm concerned that the program will not be deep enough for him. The Bible and history will be fine (and I plan on supplementing the history with more literature books if we have time and hopefully some lapbooking too. I'd also like to squeeze in a mini-unit on the elections this fall and a bit of U.S. gov't too). I would definitely use DITHOR, and this year we've just spent about 5 minutes a day on a book called Daily Paragraph Editing that has helped a ton with grammar, mechanics, and usage, so I think we'll continue to use that next year. He already knows cursive, so I'd probably just have him use the poem copying as his cursive practice. I guess it's mostly the science that I feel would be lacking for him. I love the notebooking concept in BHFHG and I feel bad he wouldn't be doing that when I know he'd benefit from it this year. Has anyone beefed up the science with something like Noeo Science or some other sort of curriculum? Do you think it's necessary?
For my 5 yo ds, the math in Beyond will be perfect since he'll be starting Singapore 1A in fall or soon after. The language arts may even work for him since he's very anxious to improve his reading over the summer. However, I'm a bit concerned about how he's going to do with the history readings. When readings get too long and he's not interested, he tends to get up and go do something else, which so far I haven't had a problem with since he wasn't even school age yet. I'm thinking that if I add additional history picture books from the library, he'd do just fine though.
Boy, I'm so sorry this is so long! These are all the thoughts that have been rambling around in my mind for the past couple weeks and I just can't decide what to do. Has anyone gone from learning as a family to having separate programs and had success with it (the boys strongly dislike the idea but I'm trying to keep an open mind about it), or has anyone combined kids into a program even though there was a
rather wide variation in their abilities? Thanks so much if you've listened to all my ramblings and have any advice for me!
Would love some input about next year for K and 3rd grade
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dolphingirl
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 10:54 pm
I really can't advise you much since I'm just beginning to use LHFHG so I'm not sure what the older programs entail. But I wanted to say welcome! I'm sure the other ladies here will be able to help more.
Crystal
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC
Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH
DD 20 married college graduate
DS 17 college student
DD 11 CTC
Finished: LHTH, LHFHG, BLHFHG, BHFHG, PHFHG, CTC, Res to Ref, Rev to Rev, MTMM, parts of WG and WH
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inHistiming
- Posts: 1301
- Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:30 pm
- Location: Central VA
- Contact:
I don't have much advice...we have not combined yet. We will be using Bigger...with my dd 8 and ds 10 in the new school year. I ordered the extension pack and Igniting Your Writing to be sure ds has enough to challenge him. I will also be using LHTH with my ds (5 in June).
My suggestion would be this: Little Hearts... is supposed to take about an hour, and Bigger..around 3.5 hours each day. So that's a total of 4.5 hours of schooling, if you kept them separate for everything. If you combined anything, a bit less. I don't know how much time you spend on school now, but for me that amount of time will be less than we're doing now. So it might be doable to keep separate programs.
I can totally relate to the other children needing to come into the room to see what the other is doing though.
You could always allow them to join each other on the readings if they want to, but not require it. That way they could feel as if they're still doing school and learning together, but also have the freedom to pursue something else if it seems too hard (5 yo) or too easy (8 yo). These are just my thoughts. I'm sure others who have done this already will be here soon to offer great suggestions! 
By the way, welcome to the boards!
My suggestion would be this: Little Hearts... is supposed to take about an hour, and Bigger..around 3.5 hours each day. So that's a total of 4.5 hours of schooling, if you kept them separate for everything. If you combined anything, a bit less. I don't know how much time you spend on school now, but for me that amount of time will be less than we're doing now. So it might be doable to keep separate programs.
I can totally relate to the other children needing to come into the room to see what the other is doing though.
You could always allow them to join each other on the readings if they want to, but not require it. That way they could feel as if they're still doing school and learning together, but also have the freedom to pursue something else if it seems too hard (5 yo) or too easy (8 yo). These are just my thoughts. I'm sure others who have done this already will be here soon to offer great suggestions! By the way, welcome to the boards!
dd 6 & dd (almost) 5 starting LHFHG
http://www.wendywoerner.com
http://www.wendywoerner.arbonne.com
http://www.jaminmom.com
http://www.wendywoerner.com
http://www.wendywoerner.arbonne.com
http://www.jaminmom.com
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netpea
We will be doing Bigger and Little Hearts in the fall. My children have little interest in sitting through each other's readings though they sometimes do anyway, but they both want to do whatever activitiy the other one is doing. However, my 7yo(8 in June) doesn't want the 5yo doing his science activities anymore so I'm having to start separating them a bit.
They do their math and writing side by side and since I started physical therapy, my son instructs his sister in what to do for math and writing while they wait AND he reads her books to her. I think you will be surprised how much they can do side by side at different levels, particularly if your older likes to instruct the younger. As they say teaching something to someone else increases your own understanding of it.
not sure that helped you at all, but that's what poured out.
They do their math and writing side by side and since I started physical therapy, my son instructs his sister in what to do for math and writing while they wait AND he reads her books to her. I think you will be surprised how much they can do side by side at different levels, particularly if your older likes to instruct the younger. As they say teaching something to someone else increases your own understanding of it.
not sure that helped you at all, but that's what poured out.
Welcome! Thanks for explaining your situation so well. I have to confess that I have several scenarios rambling around in my head now too! Well, let me start off by saying that you'll find HOD programs are easy to use, and are very time-saving as well. I've used all of their guides, and I do not have to prepare ahead of time to teach for any of them. So, your time will not have to be spent planning/preparing ahead of time to teach, which should free up some time since you're used to using KONOS.
I used Bigger Hearts for His Glory and LHFHG this year, along with DITHR, and found it to be an easy year. I have a toddler as well, into everything too! So, I know what you are saying here - though you have one more added to the mix. BHFHG took me about 3 hours to complete, and LHFHG took about 1 1/2 hours to do each day. When I laid these over one another, we were usually done with school in about 4 hours. So, here comes my first suggestion, which is your original thought too - use BHFHG and LHFHG along with DITHR.
You could have your 5 yo listen in on all of the great history readings you do with BHFHG, and do any of the history activities you want to as well. Then, while your older child is doing his more independent things (i.e. reading DITHOR independently, copywork of poem - which you could have him do in cursive btw -, math workbook, notebooking, etc.), you could do the LHFHG lessons with your 5 yo. You could have your older son independently read the science - or you could do that together with your 5 yo as well.
I have 3 sons, and my 2 older boys are like 2 little peas in a pod and do not choose to be separated for anything - but, I have found that when they are separate with me for parts of their school day it has lots of benefits. They each feel special to "have me all to themselves" for awhile, there's not unhealthy competition to do "better" than the other one - especially in things they know they may not be as good at the other one is, and they enjoy and appreciate more getting "back together" for the things we are doing together.
One other idea is to do LHFHG at half-speed with your 5 yo. We did this at the beginning of this year, and it worked well. We did the left side of plans one day, and the right side of plans the next day. After about 4-5 months of this, we started doing both sides of the plans each day. This would cut your 1 1/2 hours of time for LHFHG each day down to 45 min., which is very doable with BHFHG/DITHR.
Your second idea, of doing Beyond... with both of them is certainly another option. The obvious benefit is you'd only be doing 1 program. You could keep them together for all but their language arts and math. The only thing that is a bit hard about that is that Beyond... might be a little too hard for your 5 yo, and a little too easy for your 8 yo. Beyond... takes about 2 hours to do, so you'd have more than enough time to get that done.
I'm interested in what others have to say too. I'm leaning toward the BHFHG/LHFHG idea right now. If you have other thoughts after reading this too, Kristin, please post again. I want to assure you that whatever option you end up going with, you will find HOD to be a blessing in your home. Glad you are here!
In Christ,
Julie
I used Bigger Hearts for His Glory and LHFHG this year, along with DITHR, and found it to be an easy year. I have a toddler as well, into everything too! So, I know what you are saying here - though you have one more added to the mix. BHFHG took me about 3 hours to complete, and LHFHG took about 1 1/2 hours to do each day. When I laid these over one another, we were usually done with school in about 4 hours. So, here comes my first suggestion, which is your original thought too - use BHFHG and LHFHG along with DITHR.
You could have your 5 yo listen in on all of the great history readings you do with BHFHG, and do any of the history activities you want to as well. Then, while your older child is doing his more independent things (i.e. reading DITHOR independently, copywork of poem - which you could have him do in cursive btw -, math workbook, notebooking, etc.), you could do the LHFHG lessons with your 5 yo. You could have your older son independently read the science - or you could do that together with your 5 yo as well.
I have 3 sons, and my 2 older boys are like 2 little peas in a pod and do not choose to be separated for anything - but, I have found that when they are separate with me for parts of their school day it has lots of benefits. They each feel special to "have me all to themselves" for awhile, there's not unhealthy competition to do "better" than the other one - especially in things they know they may not be as good at the other one is, and they enjoy and appreciate more getting "back together" for the things we are doing together.
One other idea is to do LHFHG at half-speed with your 5 yo. We did this at the beginning of this year, and it worked well. We did the left side of plans one day, and the right side of plans the next day. After about 4-5 months of this, we started doing both sides of the plans each day. This would cut your 1 1/2 hours of time for LHFHG each day down to 45 min., which is very doable with BHFHG/DITHR.
Your second idea, of doing Beyond... with both of them is certainly another option. The obvious benefit is you'd only be doing 1 program. You could keep them together for all but their language arts and math. The only thing that is a bit hard about that is that Beyond... might be a little too hard for your 5 yo, and a little too easy for your 8 yo. Beyond... takes about 2 hours to do, so you'd have more than enough time to get that done.
I'm interested in what others have to say too. I'm leaning toward the BHFHG/LHFHG idea right now. If you have other thoughts after reading this too, Kristin, please post again. I want to assure you that whatever option you end up going with, you will find HOD to be a blessing in your home. Glad you are here!
In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
WELCOME I am only in Little Hearts, and haven't done any of the other programs....yet! but I agree with others that your best bet would be doing Little Hearts with the 5 yo and Bigger with your 8yo. I think it gets a little difficult to combine when ages get more spread like your's and I also think it's much easier to do each program as written for the right age, than trying to tweak a program that's really not quite right for either one or only one of them. That would turn HOD into a time consuming program which is something it is NOT!
Where are you in the midwest? I'm in MO and we have a KS and I think 2 IO's here!
Glad to have you here!
MelUsing LHFHG with
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
Kristin,
I wanted to pop in and welcome you, too! (I'm from Kansas...grew up in Iowa.) I had a reply typed already...the whole message board vanished for me, not just my post. Yikes! Anyway, I think you've been given some great advice here. I think it sounds like BHFHG and LHFHG would be a great fit for your family, but I totally understand your need to decide if you can make that work for your family! I'm not sure if I've seen anyone on here that has gone from doing everything together to separating for most things. (I do like Julie's idea of letting the younger/older sit in on some things if they'd like to.) I'm sure it would be helpful to find someone who's done what you're talking about...but I know there are several moms who do use BHFHG and LHFHG..so that can be done well.
Glad to "meet" you!
Kathleen
I wanted to pop in and welcome you, too!
(I'm from Kansas...grew up in Iowa.) I had a reply typed already...the whole message board vanished for me, not just my post. Yikes! Anyway, I think you've been given some great advice here. I think it sounds like BHFHG and LHFHG would be a great fit for your family, but I totally understand your need to decide if you can make that work for your family! I'm not sure if I've seen anyone on here that has gone from doing everything together to separating for most things. (I do like Julie's idea of letting the younger/older sit in on some things if they'd like to.) I'm sure it would be helpful to find someone who's done what you're talking about...but I know there are several moms who do use BHFHG and LHFHG..so that can be done well. Glad to "meet" you!
KathleenHomeschooling mom to 6:
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger
Halle - 4 LHTH
Grant - 19 Kansas State University
Allison - 15 World Geography
Garret - 13 Res2Ref
Asa - 8 Bigger
Quinn - 7 Bigger
Halle - 4 LHTH
Kristin,
Welcome to the boards! The ladies are doing a great job of helping you sort through your options!
I also did "Bigger..." and "Little Hearts..." this year with my kiddos and found it to be an easier fit for us than trying to adjust one program for my 5 and 8 turning 9 year old. You have less of an age gap than I do, with your 5 year old being almost 6, so you could swing the combining better than I could have with an almost 4 year age gap!
If your heart is leading you to combine, you'd need to do "Beyond...", however if your 5 year old doesn't do well with readings without pictures (as mine didn't either), then much of "Beyond..." will go over your little one's head.
At that point, it's almost easier to do "Little Hearts.." and "Bigger...". I also did "Little Hearts..." at half-speed this year, since my 5 year old was a very young 5. We enjoyed the year immensely, and he felt special doing his own school. We just did the left side of the plans one day and the right the next. My oldest was able to take over much of "Bigger..." on his own as the year progressed, which also really helped cut down on my teacher time. I did require him to do all discussing, narrating, dictating, poetry, and language arts with me though!
If you get a chance to let us know what you're thinking we'll try to help more. There are moms on the board who do combine across larger age-spans that may be able to give you some good advice on how to make that work for you!
Either way, we pray that HOD may be a blessing to you and your family.
Blessings,
Carrie
Welcome to the boards! The ladies are doing a great job of helping you sort through your options!
I also did "Bigger..." and "Little Hearts..." this year with my kiddos and found it to be an easier fit for us than trying to adjust one program for my 5 and 8 turning 9 year old. You have less of an age gap than I do, with your 5 year old being almost 6, so you could swing the combining better than I could have with an almost 4 year age gap!
If your heart is leading you to combine, you'd need to do "Beyond...", however if your 5 year old doesn't do well with readings without pictures (as mine didn't either), then much of "Beyond..." will go over your little one's head.
At that point, it's almost easier to do "Little Hearts.." and "Bigger...". I also did "Little Hearts..." at half-speed this year, since my 5 year old was a very young 5. We enjoyed the year immensely, and he felt special doing his own school. We just did the left side of the plans one day and the right the next. My oldest was able to take over much of "Bigger..." on his own as the year progressed, which also really helped cut down on my teacher time. I did require him to do all discussing, narrating, dictating, poetry, and language arts with me though!
If you get a chance to let us know what you're thinking we'll try to help more. There are moms on the board who do combine across larger age-spans that may be able to give you some good advice on how to make that work for you!
Either way, we pray that HOD may be a blessing to you and your family.
Blessings,
Carrie
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dolphingirl
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 10:54 pm
Thank you so much for all the replies!! I am just loving this message board! You all are so friendly, helpful, and honest!
I've read all of your replies several times and I appreciate the time you took writing back to me. In response to the question about where I am in the midwest, I'm in Wisconsin in the Milwaukee area--about 20 minutes from Lake Michigan. It sounds like the general concensus is to do two separate programs, Little Hearts and Bigger Hearts rather than trying to combine. Even though I said that I had a hard time imagining 2 programs, I'm gradually getting accustomed to the idea in my mind and really thinking through the benefits. I do think it would be nice to give the boys more individual time. My husband and I are very frustrated with their seemingly constant arguing. They go through periods of time when they are best buddies and get along great. However, it seems like during this school year, they have spent a lot of time at odds with each other. Perhaps getting more individual attention could help alleviate some of that.
One of the things that draws me to Beyond Little Hearts for both of them is that I really like the looks of American Patriots and Pioneers, Boys and Girls of Colonial times, etc. and I see in the Christian Liberty Press Catalog that they are actually about a 3rd grade level, so perfect for my older guy. I feel bad missing out on those with him if I do BHFHG, though I love what I've read of the Eggleston books as well for Bigger Hearts. So, I really don't feel like Beyond would be too easy for him in terms of history. For everything else though, I feel like I'd need to notch things up a bit and I love the idea of the science notebooking, etc. in Bigger Hearts. For my 5 year old, the math in Beyond is perfect, but some of the other things would be over his head. Can you tell I'm still rather confused? Honestly, I change my mind a zillion times a day about what my best approach would be!
I mentioned in my last post that I had already bought Little Hearts, and though my boys remind me that they want to learn together, at the same time my 5 year old knows I have this and is curious what it's all about. So, the plan as of now is that I'm going to start LH with him in a few weeks after we wrap up our current KONOS unit. I asked him if he'd like to start kindergarten early, and he is very excited! So we'll just spend about 45 minutes a day on it and take it at half speed for the summer (we don't normally school over the summer). I think this will be an awesome way to get into the groove and see how my son and I like it. (Of course, we'll also have to keep doing Explode the Code over the summer. My son loves those books! We'll play Happy Phonics games too.) So for now I'm trying to not stress about a decision. I anticipate we'll just continue with LH and start my older ds off in Bigger this fall, but I'm not going to make a solid decision yet. I'd kind of like to do LHTH with my dd3 as well, but I don't want our days to be too packed.
A quick question--I got the R and S books (Finding the Answers, Doing it Carefully), and they seem pretty simple. I'm afraid it would be busy work for him. How much harder is the Thinking Skills book? I'm not sure if it would be too difficult for him.
Thanks again for all your help!
Kristin
I've read all of your replies several times and I appreciate the time you took writing back to me. In response to the question about where I am in the midwest, I'm in Wisconsin in the Milwaukee area--about 20 minutes from Lake Michigan. It sounds like the general concensus is to do two separate programs, Little Hearts and Bigger Hearts rather than trying to combine. Even though I said that I had a hard time imagining 2 programs, I'm gradually getting accustomed to the idea in my mind and really thinking through the benefits. I do think it would be nice to give the boys more individual time. My husband and I are very frustrated with their seemingly constant arguing. They go through periods of time when they are best buddies and get along great. However, it seems like during this school year, they have spent a lot of time at odds with each other. Perhaps getting more individual attention could help alleviate some of that.
One of the things that draws me to Beyond Little Hearts for both of them is that I really like the looks of American Patriots and Pioneers, Boys and Girls of Colonial times, etc. and I see in the Christian Liberty Press Catalog that they are actually about a 3rd grade level, so perfect for my older guy. I feel bad missing out on those with him if I do BHFHG, though I love what I've read of the Eggleston books as well for Bigger Hearts. So, I really don't feel like Beyond would be too easy for him in terms of history. For everything else though, I feel like I'd need to notch things up a bit and I love the idea of the science notebooking, etc. in Bigger Hearts. For my 5 year old, the math in Beyond is perfect, but some of the other things would be over his head. Can you tell I'm still rather confused? Honestly, I change my mind a zillion times a day about what my best approach would be!
I mentioned in my last post that I had already bought Little Hearts, and though my boys remind me that they want to learn together, at the same time my 5 year old knows I have this and is curious what it's all about. So, the plan as of now is that I'm going to start LH with him in a few weeks after we wrap up our current KONOS unit. I asked him if he'd like to start kindergarten early, and he is very excited! So we'll just spend about 45 minutes a day on it and take it at half speed for the summer (we don't normally school over the summer). I think this will be an awesome way to get into the groove and see how my son and I like it. (Of course, we'll also have to keep doing Explode the Code over the summer. My son loves those books! We'll play Happy Phonics games too.) So for now I'm trying to not stress about a decision. I anticipate we'll just continue with LH and start my older ds off in Bigger this fall, but I'm not going to make a solid decision yet. I'd kind of like to do LHTH with my dd3 as well, but I don't want our days to be too packed.
A quick question--I got the R and S books (Finding the Answers, Doing it Carefully), and they seem pretty simple. I'm afraid it would be busy work for him. How much harder is the Thinking Skills book? I'm not sure if it would be too difficult for him.
Thanks again for all your help!
Kristin
Kristin
Hey Kristin,
I use both the R&S workbooks and Thinking Skills 1 with my 5.5yo son. I will probably skip some of the R&S since some is letter formation in the first book, but I like the concentration on fine motor skills. So far, he's enjoying both--even though they seem *easy* they are reinforcing important skills.
I use both the R&S workbooks and Thinking Skills 1 with my 5.5yo son. I will probably skip some of the R&S since some is letter formation in the first book, but I like the concentration on fine motor skills. So far, he's enjoying both--even though they seem *easy* they are reinforcing important skills.
Jen
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
I had a post all typed up for ya, and I lost it.... I'm not sure I even remember what I said......
I think the fine motor skills in the r&s books are the focus, and there are some really cute, fun activities as well. A lot of little ones (boys especially) need that extra practice with how to hold the scissors, how to cut straight, how to glue properly, etc.
Ok, that was one of the things I was going to share, but I can't remember what the rest of my post was about........combining them in Beyond maybe?? Have you thought about just combining them in Beyond for the history/science/Bible/music/storytime and just do separate reading and math??
I think I need a snack......my brain is hungry..... I can feel your struggle though, and I am big on combining when it is at all feasible. If I think of anything else, I'll get back to ya!
Mel
I'm not sure I even remember what I said......I think the fine motor skills in the r&s books are the focus, and there are some really cute, fun activities as well. A lot of little ones (boys especially) need that extra practice with how to hold the scissors, how to cut straight, how to glue properly, etc.
Ok, that was one of the things I was going to share, but I can't remember what the rest of my post was about........combining them in Beyond maybe?? Have you thought about just combining them in Beyond for the history/science/Bible/music/storytime and just do separate reading and math??
I think I need a snack......my brain is hungry..... I can feel your struggle though, and I am big on combining when it is at all feasible. If I think of anything else, I'll get back to ya!
MelUsing LHFHG with
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
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dolphingirl
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 10:54 pm
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your reply! Yes, if I did combine them into Beyond they would most definitely be doing reading and math separately. My 5 yo will be starting Singapore 1A and my 8yo will be doing 3A. 5 yo is just learning to read and 8 yo is a proficient reader and will certainly be doing DITHOR regardless of which program I choose. I'd mostly be combining them for history, Bible, art, music, science with some additional science for my 8 yo and quality picture books about the history topics in addition to the spines for both boys. I continue to think about this and imagine the scenarios! I'll start LHFHG with my 5 yo in a few weeks and see how it goes over the summer. I guess I haven't mentioned this in my other posts, but my husband is a public school teacher (5th grade) and does lots of neat hands-on things when he teaches American History, and I'm a certified teacher as well though I've been home since my oldest was born. Anyways, our house is filled with different learning resources, and though I've read many posts that say "don't tweak anything," I know my children and I know that we will be adding some additional crafts and books. So I know that regardless of which program I choose, I'll be able to personalize it to their needs. A lot of it for me is also choosing whether I want to start my 8 yo ds off with the biographical approach to history or whether I'd prefer the approach of Beyond. Does Bigger deal much with what life was like during the colonial times?
Can someone using Bigger tell me how much info. the kids get about the causes of the Revolutionary War, the establishment of the colonies, etc. compared to Beyond, or are they really spending most of their time learning about individual people? Thanks!
Thanks for your reply! Yes, if I did combine them into Beyond they would most definitely be doing reading and math separately. My 5 yo will be starting Singapore 1A and my 8yo will be doing 3A. 5 yo is just learning to read and 8 yo is a proficient reader and will certainly be doing DITHOR regardless of which program I choose. I'd mostly be combining them for history, Bible, art, music, science with some additional science for my 8 yo and quality picture books about the history topics in addition to the spines for both boys. I continue to think about this and imagine the scenarios! I'll start LHFHG with my 5 yo in a few weeks and see how it goes over the summer. I guess I haven't mentioned this in my other posts, but my husband is a public school teacher (5th grade) and does lots of neat hands-on things when he teaches American History, and I'm a certified teacher as well though I've been home since my oldest was born. Anyways, our house is filled with different learning resources, and though I've read many posts that say "don't tweak anything," I know my children and I know that we will be adding some additional crafts and books. So I know that regardless of which program I choose, I'll be able to personalize it to their needs. A lot of it for me is also choosing whether I want to start my 8 yo ds off with the biographical approach to history or whether I'd prefer the approach of Beyond. Does Bigger deal much with what life was like during the colonial times?
Can someone using Bigger tell me how much info. the kids get about the causes of the Revolutionary War, the establishment of the colonies, etc. compared to Beyond, or are they really spending most of their time learning about individual people? Thanks!
Kristin
dolphingirl,
The "Bigger..." spine texts deal with the people in American history. The are biographical in nature, so events in history are seen through the stories of the people who lived them.
"A Child's Story of America" is scheduled in the Extension Pack. This book gives more background information and fills in the facts surrounding the events in American history.
Blessings,
Carrie
The "Bigger..." spine texts deal with the people in American history. The are biographical in nature, so events in history are seen through the stories of the people who lived them.
"A Child's Story of America" is scheduled in the Extension Pack. This book gives more background information and fills in the facts surrounding the events in American history.
Blessings,
Carrie