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I was talking to DH about this the other day And for us I think it is great... they'll get through with HOD at the end of 7th, then 4 years of 'high school', then an extra year to either apprentice someone or study specialized things, do an internship, or take some cc credits before it's time for college/real world. Let them be 'adults' while still being home.

MomtoJGJE wrote:I was talking to DH about this the other day And for us I think it is great... they'll get through with HOD at the end of 7th, then 4 years of 'high school', then an extra year to either apprentice someone or study specialized things, do an internship, or take some cc credits before it's time for college/real world. Let them be 'adults' while still being home.

I have been thinking the same thing! I have a babysitter who just graduated and was homeschooled, and she needs a year to do all of the above things you've listed. I think this wiggle room is a blessing. I also like that I can do a guide half-speed for awhile if needed. My parents are aging and my dad especially has had some pretty major health concerns (brain surgery a month ago), so I want to be able to be flexible over the next 10 years. I want to have the time to care for our parents if the need arises, and knowing I could do HOD half-speed or slowed down somehow relieves the pressure of doing school if other needs arise. I want our dc to see us taking good care of our parents - hopefully they'll do the same for us someday.

In Christ,
Julie

My new 2nd grader will be using Bigger this year. That will put him needing something for 8th grade. I'm not worrying about that now. Who knows what will be in the future. He may be in school by then, although I hope he will be home. I'd rather go straight through the HOD programs, as they build on each other so wonderfully. I'll find something that will work for 8th grade once we are there. Plus, who knows, maybe Carrie will have written more by then!

Ladies,
I think I feel the "flexible" muscles being stretched. I think this is one of those sanctification issues that the Lord keeps working on in my heart. "Sometimes you just can't plan it all." The Lord continues to teach me even in the small things (like a post on HOD), that He is in control of every little detail. I don't need to be.

I kinda knew when I posted, that there might not be a specific answer to "the right way" to corelate 9 guides to 10 years. But I had no idea the blessing I would receive from the answers here. I think I will start my sweet ds next year in LHTH and see where the Lord takes us. He's been so faithful in our journey so far (with my older guys).

Thank you ladies who have shared how you have used your guides (or are thinking to use your guides). I think you represent what Carrie was trying to accomplish in her guides. The idea to make them your own for your family's circumstances.

I really like this idea Larissa:

I am using the LHGHG manuel at half speed. My plan for my kindergartener is to use LHFHG for 2 years. I am using K math, K phonics, and K handwriting. . . and we do that everyday no matter what. All of the other things we do at half speed. So next year, when I start 1st grade with him, we will start in Unit 18, but we'll have new math, phonics, and handwriting for 1st grade level.

and all the half speed ideas.

I also appreciated your post Julie:

My parents are aging and my dad especially has had some pretty major health concerns (brain surgery a month ago), so I want to be able to be flexible over the next 10 years. I want to have the time to care for our parents if the need arises, and knowing I could do HOD half-speed or slowed down somehow relieves the pressure of doing school if other needs arise. I want our dc to see us taking good care of our parents - hopefully they'll do the same for us someday.

My dad had a stroke during the summer and he does need some help from us. How imporatnt they are in the true scheme of things.

Thank you to everyone who posted. The best part is that as I pulled out my catalogs to begin looking over Pre-k and kindergarten choices for my little guy I thought, "Why bother? I know we're doing HOD!!!" No more catalog perusing. I got out a good book instead!

We all hope for this!!! from imercon:

Plus, who knows, maybe Carrie will have written more...!!!

Blessings,
Cindy

lmercon wrote: I'm not worrying about that now. Who knows what will be in the future. ... I'd rather go straight through the HOD programs, as they build on each other so wonderfully.

I was just thinking... that I wanted to add, this gives me comfort that they build into the next guide. No worries about getting in too deep over our heads somewhere along the way. Thanks again!


I also finally found the thread in the archives FAQ on this subject...

jewel7123 wrote: I also have the LHFHG manual and I definitely think there is a big jump in skill level between LHTH and LHFHG. I wish there was a guide in between these two because I am going to have to do something else for a year before I can start LHFHG)

Has anyone tried or had a good look at WinterPromise's I'm Ready To Learn program? It is for 3-5 year olds and I think it fits in perfectly between LHTH and LHFHG. I am going to do it when my dd's are 3 and 5 (after using LHTH when they are 2 and 4). HTH! Nicole

I'm late to this thread but just wanted to pop-in and mention that for our own oldest son, we are currently planning to do a geography year emphasis in grade 9 (as many states standards do geography as a freshman, world history as a sophomore, American history as a junior, and a semester each of economics - or finance - and government as a senior).

We have been talking about the possibility of writing geography plans that could be used as an 8th grader or as a freshman, thus allowing parents to use it in whatever capacity is most needed. This, of course, is not set in stone, and we will know more after my own son's freshman year, but I did want to mention it for you long-term planners, as a geography year fits well at that point and would mesh nicely with state requirements.

Blessings,
Carrie

Are you saying this geography guide (if you decide to write it) will be part of the three remaining guides you have planned (RTR and 2 others) or will it be an ADDITIONAL guide? I'm hoping the latter, lol!

Carrie wrote:I'm late to this thread but just wanted to pop-in and mention that for our own oldest son, we are currently planning to do a geography year emphasis in grade 9 (as many states standards do geography as a freshman, world history as a sophomore, American history as a junior, and a semester each of economics - or finance - and government as a senior).

We have been talking about the possibility of writing geography plans that could be used as an 8th grader or as a freshman, thus allowing parents to use it in whatever capacity is most needed. This, of course, is not set in stone, and we will know more after my own son's freshman year, but I did want to mention it for you long-term planners, as a geography year fits well at that point and would mesh nicely with state requirements.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie,
That is fantastic! Over planners unite! I know I must look like a maniac, thinking through my younger guy's scope and sequence all the way to 8th. We are already so blessed by Bigger with my older two, that I can see all three ds's using all HOD for the long haul. I hope the Lord continues to open the doors for more HOD guides. I'm excited to hear about the possibility for the 8th or 9th grade Geography guide!

Blessings,
Cindy

Carrie wrote:I'm late to this thread but just wanted to pop-in and mention that for our own oldest son, we are currently planning to do a geography year emphasis in grade 9 (as many states standards do geography as a freshman, world history as a sophomore, American history as a junior, and a semester each of economics - or finance - and government as a senior).

We have been talking about the possibility of writing geography plans that could be used as an 8th grader or as a freshman, thus allowing parents to use it in whatever capacity is most needed. This, of course, is not set in stone, and we will know more after my own son's freshman year, but I did want to mention it for you long-term planners, as a geography year fits well at that point and would mesh nicely with state requirements.

Blessings,
Carrie

Woooohooo! Praise God slowly the doors are opening. It's one little peg in the "secret prayer club" plan for more HOD. I won't say the HS word but God is so good!

WE LOVE HOD!

Ah,ladies, you make me smile! At this point we're thinking we'd love the geography portion to be flexible enough to either be added onto one of the last guides in our sequence (for those who have a 9th grader using our upper level programs who will also need 9th grade geography credit), or for it to stand alone as an 8th grade course for those who are through our 4 year cycle and need something for the 8th grade year. We'd ideally like families to be able to choose in which fashion to use it based on the needs of their family. Note, I said "ideally". Anyway that is the thinking for the present time.

We've actually been entertaining this idea for a long time but had never found anything geography-wise that we liked enough to implement this sort of a plan. With Ellen McHenry's new book "Mapping the World by Art", we believe there is the beginnings of just such a plan. Link here: http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/id151.html

We were in contact with Ellen this year as she was writing the guide, and piloting it, and have been very excited over the samples that she shared with prior to its release. However, we will know better once we use it for our oldest son's 9th grade year.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie wrote:Ah,ladies, you make me smile! At this point we're thinking we'd love the geography portion to be flexible enough to either be added onto one of the last guides in our sequence (for those who have a 9th grader using our upper level programs who will also need 9th grade geography credit), or for it to stand alone as an 8th grade course for those who are through our 4 year cycle and need something for the 8th grade year. We'd ideally like families to be able to choose in which fashion to use it based on the needs of their family. Note, I said "ideally". Anyway that is the thinking for the present time.

We've actually been entertaining this idea for a long time but had never found anything geography-wise that we liked enough to implement this sort of a plan. With Ellen McHenry's new book "Mapping the World by Art", we believe there is the beginnings of just such a plan. Link here: http://www.ellenjmchenry.com/id151.html

We were in contact with Ellen this year as she was writing the guide, and piloting it, and have been very excited over the samples that she shared with prior to its release. However, we will know better once we use it for our oldest son's 9th grade year.

Blessings,
Carrie

This looks amazing! My kids would love this! I am not going to look anymore becasue I am going to wait to see what you do with it but it looks wonderful to me. My kids would die to use something like this. They are art and geography nuts. Two for one! Looks wonderful to me.

I agree, it looks awesome and like a really fun way to learn geography! I am excited already, lol!

Me too! I am always excited about the possibilities of a brand new resource!

Blessings,
Carrie