First Grader using Beyond and Emerging Readers

[inhislove]

My dd just turned 6 and I am currently doing "kindergarten" with her. She will soon finish "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." She reads Hooked on Phonics and other simple reader books and is very excited about school in general. I also have a dd who just turned 4. We completed the first half of My Father's World Kindergarten before my son was born in November. We have been using abcmouse.com and reading since then as I try to get on my feet with four kiddos (we also have a dd age 2). I plan to finish MFWK with 4 yr old DD for preschool since we already own it.

I think my 6yo DD places into Beyond in the reading line of the chart and plan to start her over the summer. She hasn't done much formal math in terms of worksheets, but she adds and subtracts and enjoys it. I am excited about trying Singapore Math. We also haven't done much formal copywork...does this mean I should start with LHFHG?

1- As I peruse the boards, I see a lot of mentions of Rod and Staff. Is this just the publisher for some of the titles?
2- She has not had formal handwriting as far as curriculum- should I start with ARFH K or A?
3- Joanna is incredibly interested in science (particularly animals and our bodies). She has watched Blue Planet multiple times on NetFlix (except for a few scary sections). We plan to purchase the God's Design for Life (answers in genesis) curriculum. Should we still buy the one scheduled in the guide?
4- I plan to purchase the Beyond Economy pkg, Emerging Readers set, and Deluxe Girls' pkg. We already own the Steve Green Hide em in your heart CDs and will be purchasing a separate science- would it make more sense to just buy the math and devotional instead of the entire Basic package?
5- IS there any way to connect to others using this curriculum? Online? Locally? I am in central Florida.

THank you so much!
Amanda
6yrDD- currently MFW Kindergarten
4 yr DD- abcmouse.com preschool
2 yr DD and 4 month DS- growing and learning from LIFE

[inhislove]

After I started looking for Handwriting, I really looked at some of what Little Hands for His Glory looks like, and I love that too! I'm trying to figure out how things will work out the following year, which should be K and 2nd. Would it be crazy to do Beyond with DD6 this year and then go back to LHFHG the next year for my then 5 and 7 year olds, starting DITHOR with my oldest? Or would I just keep them separated?

How can I tell if DD 6 is ready for grammar instruction? She has done no copywork beyond single words, and really needs formal handwriting. She writes cards and notes all the time and is constantly asking how to spell certain words (like happy birthday). Should I begin the handwriting with K or A?

I guess the big question is: How do I determine if LHFHG or BLHFHG is best for DD 6 first grade? I read all the descriptions and get excited! When I look at the first week guide, I feel LHFHG is not very challenging, and the Beyond is more her speed. So looking forward to using HOD and just wanting to get settled on the right level.

[bethelmommy]

Welcome to HOD!
There is another thread running on the board right now regarding placement help that was started by momof3boys. I think if you read that thread alot of your questions will be answered. Basically, LHFHG sounds like a better fit for your oldest at this time and most definitely if you want to combine your two oldest. The biggest issue is handwriting. Your dd will struggle later on if she progresses farther in the guides than her writing skills allow. Also, if you are planning on adding other things to the guide like a different science, your day will run longer. Carrie has very carefully scheduled her guide to balance out time across subjects. So with LHFHG your day will be 1-1.5 hours plus whatever else you add. With Beyond you are looking at 2-2.5 hours a day plus whatever you add. I have 4 kids very close in age to yours and combining my oldest 2 in LHFHG is about all I can handle at the moment . I have to keep this short - children are calling, but please feel free to keep asking questions and others will jump in to help when they can. Again, welcome !

[glperky]

Welcome. You have found a great place to be. The ladies here are great at helping you place your children. I wish I could help you out, but I am a little lost myself. Sorry. I did PM you though.

[MelInKansas]

Since she has had no formal handwriting I would use LHFHG but you can also use the Emerging Readers with this if your daughter is ready for it. It sounds like she may be. Some people, if starting younger, go through both Bibles before starting the rest of the books, as they do ramp up rather quickly and it may be too fast for a younger child (too much reading). Or do it 1/2 speed of suggested. But in order to have Emerging Reader plans you would need the Beyond guide. No problem if you plan to go ahead into Beyond after you finish LHFHG.

The copywork in Beyond is a lot. Narration is a skill that its best to work your way into and the storytime and narration practice in LHFHG is easy and yet builds the child up in this important skill. Plus with your 4 kids, LHFHG will be much more managable, trust me. You can do it fully instead of I think with Beyond you may feel like skipping things and have a harder time getting it done, especially if it is really hard for your daughter to do.

Just my thoughts. Pray for wisdom, the Lord will grant it!

[MelInKansas]

You may want to do a different science, since the science in LHFHG is very "light" (in Beyond too). But doing LHFHG will probably give you more freedom to do that if you wish.