Where to start?

[Sandy]

Hello, I have just discovered Heart of Dakota materials and I think this will be a good fit for our family. I have 4 boys, ages 6, 5, 5, and 2. I plan to begin homeschooling them this Fall. My oldest is in first grade in public school this year and I would call him an emerging reader, definitely not independent yet. The twins were just a little too young for kindergarten so I am working with them at home with Bob books and they are doing great reading simple words.

My question is the best place to start. I really want them all in the same book/curriculum if possible to simplify things for me. From looking at the placement charts and the sample curriculum pages, I am leaning toward BHFHG (for ages 6-8) since the twins will be almost 6 when we start and the oldest will be 7.5 by then. I am concerned about the oldest being bored if we go with BLHFHG (for ages 5-7) and I think I could simplify the activities a little for the twins if necessary. The 2 y/o of course will just be tagging along!

I plan to use the Singapore math and a different phonics program than the recommended ones here. I will have the kids tested and placed for Reading and Math so my question is really re: the rest of the curriculum. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[deltagal]

My question is the best place to start. I really want them all in the same book/curriculum if possible to simplify things for me. From looking at the placement charts and the sample curriculum pages, I am leaning toward BHFHG (for ages 6-8) since the twins will be almost 6 when we start and the oldest will be 7.5 by then. I am concerned about the oldest being bored if we go with BLHFHG (for ages 5-7) and I think I could simplify the activities a little for the twins if necessary. !

HI Sandy,

Welcome to HOD. Your boys are so close in age it seems like keeping them together would be a good thing, but your oldest would probably do well working on material on his level. So, a frequent recommendation is to have your oldest do the right side of Bigger (if that's where he places) for basics - reading, writing, math, science and then join his brothers for the left side of Beyond (if that's where they place) , which will be history, Bible and geography, science. My oldest is soon to turn 12 and although he is working with Preparing, he insists that his brothers (who are soon to turn 10 and 8 ) wait and do the left side of Beyond with him - especially the science, Bible and history. And so we do!

[8arrows]

I am combining 6 and 8 year old boys in Beyond with one modification. They are both loving the year. The 6 year old uses spelling list one; the 8 year old spelling list two. The 8 year old is almost finishing up the emerging readers. If your son is reading well by then, you could easily use the 2/3 book pack and Drawn into the Heart of Reading for him. If not use the emerging readers. My 8 year old is using Singapore 2A/2B. There is a schedule in the back. The 6 year old is using 1A/1B along with the activities in the book. I did add Growing with Grammar for the 8 year old. As the previous poster mentioned, if you think your oldest is beyond these points, use the right side of Bigger for him, and combine them all with the left side of Beyond. I used Growing with Grammar because I had it. Rod and Staff 2 is a great book (recommended by HOD).

[Sandy]

Thank you both for your helpful replies. This will be my first year homeschooling so I appreciate any help I can get! When you say "left side" and "right side" I assume you mean the earlier half and the later half? Also, if I decided to do two different curriculums (BLHFHG and LHFHG) would that mean double the time? or is some material worked on independently?

[crlacey]

When people say "left side" and "right side" they mean the left side of the page when the book is open and the right side of the page when the book is open. The left side generally has your history, science and Bible. While the right side has LA, math and storytime selections. If you look at the samples, you'll see the pages they are talking about. As for the time requirements, I'm not sure since I've only used LHTH and LHFHG.

[inHistiming]

The 'left' side and 'right' side differ in what is covered....left covers history, bible, geography, art...all things that you could combine. The right side has plans for Language Arts, Math, Science (which also could be combined), and story time (which can be combined). So that's what people are referring to when they mention 'left' or 'right' side....Many choose the left side out of one manual to do with the children they want to combine...then use whatever level each child is in for math, L.A., handwriting, etc. Depending on the ages and abilities of your dc you could have some overlap in the independent work. My older two are 9 and 11, so they do their independent work at the same time, in their own level, and just come to me if they have a question. Once they've finished we do our reading together, and any science or history assignments. We are using the extension pack that comes with Bigger... to 'beef' up the learning for my older child. It has worked well so far. If you decided to use two programs you could still overlap some. I have my youngest son work on his handwriting, math, and Do It Carefully during the time my older ones are doing their written work. Today e even had time to do RME (his phonics program) during this time too.Then, he can play or sit and listen when we are doing our reading portion together. We do his program, LHTH, separately, which takes about 30 minutes. If you do two full programs, completely separately, it will take some extra time. However, done from start to finish, Beyond...takes 2-2.5 hours and Little Hearts... takes about an hour...so it would still only make your day about 3.5 hours for both full programs.

I hope some of what I've said has been helpful and not confusing. Please keep coming back with any questions you have. Everyone here loves to help, and there's bound to be someone who will have an answer and maybe even somone else who wanted to ask the question but hadn't done it yet. I'll 'see' you later!

[deltagal]

Thank you both for your helpful replies. This will be my first year homeschooling so I appreciate any help I can get! When you say "left side" and "right side" I assume you mean the earlier half and the later half? Also, if I decided to do two different curriculums (BLHFHG and LHFHG) would that mean double the time? or is some material worked on independently?

It wouldn't necessarily "double the time", because you'll need to work with your children somewhat independently on basic skills. So, the two different curriculum would simply offer you something that "might" be more on target for your oldest. However, as one of the posters indicated each book has alot to offer for a variety of skill levels through the appendix. So, I would suggest using the 2 materials "ONLY" if your oldest places solidly in a higher level, if it seems a little uncertain then just go with the lower material.

keep the questions coming....

[Carrie]

Sandy,

I just wanted to pop-in and welcome you to the boards. We're glad to have you here! The ladies are doing a wonderful job of helping you sort through the best plan for your little sweeties.

If you have other questions, ask away.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Mom2Monkeys]

I didn't have time to read the other posts, but just wanted to chime in real quick:

I have a quite advanced 7.5 yr old 2nd grader and we are using Beyond and loving it! It is not boring or too easy at all. We use math on her level and are enjoying the break from the rigorous grammar (we'll back into that next year in 3rd grade when we start Bigger). She also uses Drawn Into the Heart of Reading since she is an independent reader. I've tried to have my 5yo take part in the Left Side plans (the history, science, Bible...) and it's just too much for him to sit through at this point-- listening is a skill to be learned for sure! There are many skills in HOD that aren't taught in public school so you may find it best to begin with Beyond for 2nd grade to give those skills time to develop and prepare them for more independent work in the later guides. I personally feel an almost 6 yr old would be better off in Beyond compared to Bigger...and Beyond is plenty for even a 7.5 yr old-- even my gifted one is thriving but not lacking challenge. But, you know your kids best! Just know there is no need to rush or to complete each guide on the minimum age side.

Many moms use Little Hearts over two years for K and 1st, Beyond for 2nd, Bigger for 3rd, Preparing for 4th, then the new guides for would be for 5-8, just in time to start high school. If you do Bigger in 2nd, you'll have the extra year in 8th to fill in, which many moms enjoy! I personally, NEED to plan my route in advance and prefer to know we'll have every grade Pre-K thru 8th planned out with HOD and I won't have to search for a filler prior to beginning our choice for high school (which is My Father's World unless HOD decides to con't on to 12th).

Oh, I just thought about this too...It is also possible to go with Little Hearts for His Glory. You could then have something that would be fitting for all your kids by way of history, bible, etc on the left side plans...you could do the right side with just your twins (phonics, math, basics). Then do the right side of Beyond or Bigger for your 7.5 yo (Based on where he places for math and what he's ready for in grammar, etc.-- Math 1A/B is in Beyond and Math 2A/B is in Bigger-- be sure to take the math placement test at www.singaporemath.com! Beyond gently introduces grammar each week and Bigger uses Rod and Staff 2 which is for 2nd or 3rd graders to begin formal grammar (and is pretty rigorous!). Bigger also starts cursive.

If you have more questions or think of something else to tell us that might help us think this through with you, let us know! Sorry this ended up long (like many of my posts)...I seem to have 3 little professional interrupters running around here and I keep losing my train of thought. LOL Hopefully, some of this makes sense to you and is of at least a little help!

[inHistiming]

Just wanted to add that I do not think your 7.5 year old would be bored with Beyond...as long as you have your dc in the right level in math and handwriting, it should be fine. My dd was 8.5 when we completed Beyond... last year (2nd grade) and she loved the stories- history, science, and story time. She remembers much of it still, making connections to what we are learning now in Bigger... I would say definitely do not go above Beyond...and like a previous poster said, Little Hearts... could also be a good fit for all three.