Introduction and questions...

angela&4boys · Post by **angela&4boys** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:13 pm

Hello,

My name is Angela and I'm a homeschool mama to 4 ds's ranging in age from 1 to 18. We're finishing up our 10th year and I'm overwhelmed (with joy) at the discovery of HOD!

We have run the gammet in terms of curriculum to find that I'm truly a Charlotte Masoner at heart. That being said, I found that my boys aren't necessarily full CM children themselves, so I'm thrilled to find HOD. It seems to offer so many elements of CM yet the gentle structure and high interest my guys need. And most of all, the beautiful application of God's Word through Bible readings, devotionals, and hymns.

I am so pleased at the idea of learning together yet having something independent for my older son. I had previously chosen based on my 11yo's needs, trying to "water it down" for the 8yo, but found he was just checking out too often. I am presently praying about using BHFHG with the older child extension for our 8 and 11 yo's.

My questions:

The language arts portion seems to be very complete. Am I right that one need only add grammar to complete it? (This would be for my 8yo.)

Also, does anyone use the Language Lesson Series from Queen instead of Rod & Staff?

And lastly, for the extension package, how much reading of A Child's Story or America text is assigned each day? And is it read in it's entirety?

Warmly,
[/i]

netpea · Post by **netpea** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:07 am

welcome to the boards, I don't have any answers for you but others will chime in. I'm using Bigger in the fall but I haven't looked into it yet.

pjdobro · Post by **pjdobro** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:20 am

I can't answer your questions, but I wanted say welcome. I haven't even seen the Bigger guide so hopefully someone experienced with Bigger will be able to respond to your questions.

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed May 21, 2008 12:32 pm

welcome

I can't help with all your questions, but I am using LL from Queen's now with Little Hearts. Well, we used the LL for Little Ones vol. 1 and 2 and I have the LL for the Very YOung on my shelf. We started it but had to pause for some more phonics.........the phonics takes a BIG leap there all at once and we needed more review and time. I plan to use R&S when we get to Bigger. I think it's a more solid grammar program. I do like the poetry and picture study, but HOD includes poetry study in all of the guides so really the only thing extra would be the picture study, which you could easily add.

Glad to have you here and I hope you enjoy HOD!

Mel

Jen in Va · Post by **Jen in Va** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:12 pm

Melanie, you've mentioned before how we think alike. I was just thinking a day or so ago that I'd really like to get LL for Young Ones for my 5.5 yo for this year--and until we start with R&S in Bigger. I had LL for Little Ones 1 and 2, but he was beyond it, so we never really used it. I just sold both books online. Can you tell me a little more about LL for Young Ones and what level of phonics you're talking about with it? Ds is reading long vowel words with silent e and has started to learn more ways of making long vowel sounds. He's on lesson 85 of Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and will be starting ETC 3 within the next couple of days. I keep him behind in ETC from where he is in the phonics lessons so he can practice the sounds and become more fluent--same with his readers. I don't want to buy another book that is below him, but don't want to not be able to use it yet either.

How are you feeling? Been praying for you!

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:45 pm

Thank you so much for the prayers! I think that may be why I'm feeling so good...all my wonderful friends!

I really, really liked the LL for Little Ones vo. 2....but I just realized I made a mistake. I just went and got my book and it is LL for Little Ones vo. 3 that we hit the snag with.....lesson 14. (I do have LL for the very young vo. 1, but we're not there and I'll use it with Beyond).

It goes from long vowels with the silent e to all of a sudden ALL of the vowel pairs in one lesson.....ai, oa, ee, ea and then moves to double consonant endings by lesson 18.....whoa.....we needed a LOT more time with ai, ee, and ea and we have not even started on oa.

And I won't even tell you about the end.......I'd guess 2nd grade level

I do plan to keep using LL through Beyond, and them move into R&S when we get to Bigger.

I had to laugh

.....your reason for using ETC a little behind was my exact reason for starting LL in the first place.....I thought it would be a good review. I had no idea it would get so hard so fast! And, hey, it could be that I am just too slow!

angela&4boys · Post by **angela&4boys** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:24 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome and responses!

I will better be able to decide between R & S and Language Lessons soon. I'll be attending our state convention in Orlando and can view them there, but user opinions are appreciated! Nothing like the voice of experience, as they say.

I also wanted to say how very encouraging it is to see such a helfpul and positive group of moms. That alone is steering me towards using HOD's Bigger.

Thanks again,

Jen in Va · Post by **Jen in Va** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:30 pm

Melanie wrote: I really, really liked the LL for Little Ones vo. 2....but I just realized I made a mistake. I just went and got my book and it is LL for Little Ones vo. 3 that we hit the snag with.....lesson 14. (I do have LL for the very young vo. 1, but we're not there and I'll use it with Beyond).

So does the below describe Very Young? or Little Ones Vol 3? If it's vol. 3, that sounds like where we need to be. I went back and looked at Very Young, and it says the kids should be fluent readers by the time you start with those--I'm thinking akin to Carrie's emergent reader level, maybe?

Melanie wrote:It goes from long vowels with the silent e to all of a sudden ALL of the vowel pairs in one lesson.....ai, oa, ee, ea and then moves to double consonant endings by lesson 18.....whoa.....we needed a LOT more time with ai, ee, and ea and we have not even started on oa. And I won't even tell you about the end.......I'd guess 2nd grade level

Oh, do share! I'd love to know how far it goes. I am continuing phonics this summer, so he may be through the vowel pairs by the fall. He's already done a lot of the consonant blends.

Whoa, I just realized I started a threadjack. Sorry about that!

Welcome, Angela!

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:02 pm

This probably is a hijack, but the op did ask about LL.....I bet Angela just didn't realize it would get this detailed!

I was talking about LL for Little Ones vol. 3 that gets difficult fast. I'm guessing that it is the conclusion of phonics for the LL series as it covers long vowels and special sounds. I'd say it's an end of 1st, all of 2nd grade level. We'll probably finish it and start on LL for the Very Young in 2nd....and we might actually finish both of them. I think once you get past the phonics hurdle and have reading down pat, the rest should be easier. I took another look at LL for the Very Young and it is pretty much all grammar.

Here's a sample from the end......the child has to read by himself this sentence.....
Mrs. Whittington had compassion on her friend, who had a cough, and took her some soup and bread.
(The sounds for this lesson are "ough" and "augh".)

We're going to continue with Phonics Pathways along side of the LL to make double sure we have phonics down cold. My dd's both love to read, but I have a son who is pretty sure it's torture treatment

, so for his sake I go pretty slow.

After looking at this again, I'm wondering if it would be enough grammar for 2nd grade....I'm thinking yes, it is. I wonder if Sandi is planning to write a vol. 3 for the Very Young series?

I hope this was more helpful than confusing.....it's got me rethinking about LL....just when I thought I had it all figured out!

Mel

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:59 pm

angela&4boys wrote:
My questions:

The language arts portion seems to be very complete. Am I right that one need only add grammar to complete it? (This would be for my 8yo.)

Also, does anyone use the Language Lesson Series from Queen instead of Rod & Staff?

And lastly, for the extension package, how much reading of A Child's Story or America text is assigned each day? And is it read in it's entirety?

Warmly,
[/i]

Welcome to the HOD boards! Carrie has 4 sons, just like you, so I'm sure you'll appreciate that attention to adequate movement in her hands-on activities. I have 3 sons, and the HOD activities have been great for them! I am just finishing Bigger..., so I'll do my best to answer your questions.

R & S English 2's part of Bigger's... daily plans, so you don't need to add any grammar for your 8 yo. For your 11 yo, you could add whatever level of grammar you'd like. HOD sells English 3 and 4 and has a description of them on the website.

As far as your second question, I agree with what Melanie had to say (btw - glad you are done with your surgery and on the road to recovery, Melanie!!!)

Melanie wrote::I plan to use R&S when we get to Bigger. I think it's a more solid grammar program. I do like the poetry and picture study, but HOD includes poetry study in all of the guides so really the only thing extra would be the picture study, which you could easily add.
Mel

We added the art picture study component by using the "Smart about Art" series, available at Miller Pad and Paper. Otherwise, we've just used what's in Bigger... and loved that!

"A Child's Story of America" is scheduled about an average of 3 days a week (sometimes it's just read 1 day, and others up to 4 days, but usually it's about 3 times), reading a few pages at a time. There are a few pages noted as "optional" in the daily schedule (Carrie notes when it's optional due to content.) The last pages of "A Child's Story of America" p. 178-200 are listed as additional optional reading at the end. As always, Carrie had done a great job of scheduling excellent reading material in bite-sized, manageable pieces.

HTH, and I'm so excited that you've found HOD! We're just ending our year with BHFHG, LHFHG, and DITHR - and we're all still smiles and still loving even our last few days. I know you will enjoy it too!

In Christ,
Julie

angela&4boys · Post by **angela&4boys** » Wed May 21, 2008 8:43 pm

HTH, and I'm so excited that you've found HOD! We're just ending our year with BHFHG, LHFHG, and DITHR - and we're all still smiles and still loving even our last few days. I know you will enjoy it too!

Thank you for all the info Julie! And what a testimony, that even in you're last few days, you're still so pleased!

Warmly,