Where to start with HOD??

[momof3kids]

Hi, i am new to this forum, and HOD. We are new to homeschooling and plan to start in the fall, after my oldest finishes K in ps. Question is, not sure where to start...i have 3 dc, oldest will be 6 in may and already very advanced in K and can read alone, next son will be 4yr 8mo in the fall, has done preschool 2x week but thinking of starting him with K or preK since will be close to 5..also have a toddler...From what i have read, i think oldest may be in Beyond, while younger son in Little Hands...? or, how do you combine into 1 program?..or is that later down the road?..i love the Bible base to this program...and in researching i am between this and MFW....appreciate any help as this is such a big decision for us!

[MomtoJGJE]

Check out the placement chart for each one individually (I can't find the link right now... someone might give you that? It's on the main website for HOD)

I did Beyond with my oldest when she was 6. She did fine with it, but I wish I would have started her with LHFHG instead. If you do that, and if your second is ready for it, then you could fairly easily combine them in LHFHG It already comes with K and 1st grade options. It has two options for science, but you really wouldn't have to read both. I really like The World God Made, even for first grade.

[momof3kids]

HI, thanks...i am just really starting looking into this, i did look at the chart..and thats where i was thinking placing 6yo in Beyond..if combine in Little Hands..would he still be challenged?..what reading would he do?....is that level too much for the 4 1/2 yo??...so many questions..

[TrueGRIT]

My LHFHG son is very advanced and placed on the line between Little Hearts & Beyond. Having done, Beyond with an older son (2nd grade for him), I decided to place my younger ds in LHFHG. He can do the work in Beyond, but he wouldn't get as much out of it.
We use many of the 1st grade options, and I allow him to go at his own pace on the math & FM skills. I also have a notebook, that he uses for 'copywork/spelling'.
We do bits and pieces of storytime, Bible verses, and words he wants to spell in there. This keeps him moving forward, while still perfectly fitting in the guide.
He will be 6 soon, and he is doing very well in Little Hearts. I would highly recommend that particular guide for many reasons. Since you said he could read alone, you could always start the Emerging Reader set scheduled in Beyond.

[8arrows]

I think you could combine both in LHFHG with 1st grade options and emerging readers for the oldest. There are also additional reading suggestions for the older child in the back of the guide. If you don't think the younger one is up for that, you could use LHFHG and then LHTH for the younger. I would save Beyond in hopes of combining the children the following year (either way).

[donnaramamom]

Hi, I am new to this message board also. I am considering using HOD next yr for my dd age 8 and entering 3rd grade. Considering Bigger for her. She is reading at an early 2nd gr level and really struggles with reading and spelling. I think Beyond may be too easy but not sure. Is there a big difference between Bigger and Beyond and is there a way to tailor Bigger if I get it and it is a little difficult?

[bethelmommy]

I think you could combine both in LHFHG with 1st grade options and emerging readers for the oldest. There are also additional reading suggestions for the older child in the back of the guide).

This is how I combined my oldest two. In addition, my oldest did the spelling list 1 from Beyond and used the hands on math activities included in the guide for 1a/1b SM as well. I also ordered all the read aloud packages from the Beyond guide, put aside the ones we will actually use for the guide next fall and am reading the others to the kiddos when we have time for fun. It's been a great year .