LHFHG or Beyond?
LHFHG or Beyond?
I am so conflicted...I have purchased the parts for Beyond and was set, but keep second guessing my decision. Let me give you some info and hopefully y'all can help me make a solid decision between Little Hearts and Beyond.
My dd is 5.5 (Dec birthday, oldest) After convention in April we started a more 'formal' schooling involving Essential Math A/B, copy work and reading. We have not done formal phonics, but she is reading simple books. She can often be found at the table coloring or making a card for her friends (and asking how to spell things) We have also been reading aloud from the Little House series, and she really enjoys that.
My idea is that we can start Beyond when she finishes the Essential Math (just started book B) and just go at half speed, spreading it out over 1.5 to 2 years. I plan to follow a year round style schedule.
Does this sound like a reasonable plan or is it recommended that we slow down and start in Little Hearts? I would appreciate any insight.
My dd is 5.5 (Dec birthday, oldest) After convention in April we started a more 'formal' schooling involving Essential Math A/B, copy work and reading. We have not done formal phonics, but she is reading simple books. She can often be found at the table coloring or making a card for her friends (and asking how to spell things) We have also been reading aloud from the Little House series, and she really enjoys that.
My idea is that we can start Beyond when she finishes the Essential Math (just started book B) and just go at half speed, spreading it out over 1.5 to 2 years. I plan to follow a year round style schedule.
Does this sound like a reasonable plan or is it recommended that we slow down and start in Little Hearts? I would appreciate any insight.
Sarah
Wife to Nate
Mom to Natalie, Shawn, Kyla
Wife to Nate
Mom to Natalie, Shawn, Kyla
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Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
If your daughter can do the skills in Beyond (have you looked at the placement chart on the HOD website?) then your plan seems OK. I'm not sure between doing Beyond over 2 years and taking it really slow or doing LHFHG full speed and then Beyond full speed which one is "better." There may be some knowledge or skill gaps that you would find, but I assume you could probably fill those in if you are taking Beyond slowly. LHFHG is a great program and just a great jumping-off point for that age of children, and you can do Beyond reading, math, LA if that's where she places. I think the placement chart, using your knowledge of your daughter and what she can handle, is probably the best guide.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
Note: if your daughter places at the Beyond level in the first chart but LHFHG in the 2nd and 3rd charts, then that's when you would do the History, storytime, Bible, Rhyme, Rotating Box (mostly L side except storytime) in LHFHG and R side of Beyond for skills. If she places solidly in Beyond in all 3 of those charts then she's probably ready for Beyond, since you are planning to do 1/2 speed that takes out the consideration that a 5 year old probably isn't ready for as long of a school day.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
Note: if your daughter places at the Beyond level in the first chart but LHFHG in the 2nd and 3rd charts, then that's when you would do the History, storytime, Bible, Rhyme, Rotating Box (mostly L side except storytime) in LHFHG and R side of Beyond for skills. If she places solidly in Beyond in all 3 of those charts then she's probably ready for Beyond, since you are planning to do 1/2 speed that takes out the consideration that a 5 year old probably isn't ready for as long of a school day.
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"
DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven
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Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
Our oldest are the same age. I decided to do LHFHG this year. I thought about Beyond, but I didn't want to push that hard.
We started with Horizons math and phonics last year. She finished the K math in February and phonics in April. And now we are working on 1st grade. In May, I "found" HOD and started figuring out what to do this year. I wanted to add in history and science, and HOD sounded like the perfect option for us. According to the placement chart, my daughter placed in to Beyond for skills. But, age wise she was a better fit for LHFHG. So, I asked here and got some advice. Then I prayed and thought about it. I was leaning towards Beyond until I looked at the whole scope of the program. First, there was a lot of good things in LHFHG that I didn't know if we wanted to skip. Plus it was a nice easy way to add in history and science in only an extra hour a day (plus the 30 minutes to 1 hour we do on phonics and math already). Second, I realized that LHFHG is really the 1st grade guide if you do 1 guide a year. We school year round like you are planning, but with a slower schedule during the summer (about half speed). That means we will have time to go half speed through any guide and still finish the whole program before she is 18.
So here is what we are doing this year:
Left side of LHFHG plus story time and fine motor skills (with our own handwriting)
Horizons Phonics and Math (1st grade)
Emerging Reader and Spelling from Beyond probably by December (half speed)
Your plan would work too - but I thought I would share where I ended up since our daughters seem similar.
We started with Horizons math and phonics last year. She finished the K math in February and phonics in April. And now we are working on 1st grade. In May, I "found" HOD and started figuring out what to do this year. I wanted to add in history and science, and HOD sounded like the perfect option for us. According to the placement chart, my daughter placed in to Beyond for skills. But, age wise she was a better fit for LHFHG. So, I asked here and got some advice. Then I prayed and thought about it. I was leaning towards Beyond until I looked at the whole scope of the program. First, there was a lot of good things in LHFHG that I didn't know if we wanted to skip. Plus it was a nice easy way to add in history and science in only an extra hour a day (plus the 30 minutes to 1 hour we do on phonics and math already). Second, I realized that LHFHG is really the 1st grade guide if you do 1 guide a year. We school year round like you are planning, but with a slower schedule during the summer (about half speed). That means we will have time to go half speed through any guide and still finish the whole program before she is 18.
So here is what we are doing this year:
Left side of LHFHG plus story time and fine motor skills (with our own handwriting)
Horizons Phonics and Math (1st grade)
Emerging Reader and Spelling from Beyond probably by December (half speed)
Your plan would work too - but I thought I would share where I ended up since our daughters seem similar.
Mom to
DD15 US1 (completed LHFHG-WH)
DS13 MtMM (completed LHFHG-Rev2Rev plus some of LHTH)
DD12 Rev2Rev (completed LHTH-RtR)
DS7 Beyond (completed LHTH-LHFHG)
DD15 US1 (completed LHFHG-WH)
DS13 MtMM (completed LHFHG-Rev2Rev plus some of LHTH)
DD12 Rev2Rev (completed LHTH-RtR)
DS7 Beyond (completed LHTH-LHFHG)
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Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
Hi Sarah,
I would recommend doing LHFHG with your 5.5 year old. I have 5 kiddos of my own, 3 of which are school age. My almost 6 year old (in August) will be continuing in LHFHG this year (did half-speed last year). She is very advanced for her age in reading and math, but after posting a question about placing her on her several weeks ago I decided to stick with LHFHG (just doing more 1st grade level math and reading). Also, my older 2 didn't do Beyond until they were older. LHFHG has SO much wonderful stuff in it, I really think you don't want to miss it, not to mention that Beyond builds on what was taught in LHFHG. I would pull back and do LHFHG in my opinion, especially since he is so young. Here's the link to my question and the helpful discussion that followed if you are interested:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13979
Blessings!
Meredith
I would recommend doing LHFHG with your 5.5 year old. I have 5 kiddos of my own, 3 of which are school age. My almost 6 year old (in August) will be continuing in LHFHG this year (did half-speed last year). She is very advanced for her age in reading and math, but after posting a question about placing her on her several weeks ago I decided to stick with LHFHG (just doing more 1st grade level math and reading). Also, my older 2 didn't do Beyond until they were older. LHFHG has SO much wonderful stuff in it, I really think you don't want to miss it, not to mention that Beyond builds on what was taught in LHFHG. I would pull back and do LHFHG in my opinion, especially since he is so young. Here's the link to my question and the helpful discussion that followed if you are interested:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13979
Blessings!
Meredith
Meredith
Trusting in Him to supply all my needs! Phil. 4:19
Mommy to:
Quinter 15 WG
Gabry 13 WG
Ainsley 12 Res to Ref
Bryn 9 Preparing
Silas 6 Beyond
Trusting in Him to supply all my needs! Phil. 4:19
Mommy to:
Quinter 15 WG
Gabry 13 WG
Ainsley 12 Res to Ref
Bryn 9 Preparing
Silas 6 Beyond
Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
I would start with LHFHG. I would not do a guide with some one below the recommended age range. In my opinion it would be better to do LHFHG full speed followed by Beyond full speed. Bigger is quite a step up from Beyond and your dc will have an even harder time if they come to it from doing Beyond half speed. HTH
ds 12 RevtoRev
dd 9 Preparing
dd 7 Beyond
ds 5 Little Hearts
dd due September 20th
dd 9 Preparing
dd 7 Beyond
ds 5 Little Hearts
dd due September 20th
Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
Given your daughter's age, I would say start LHFHG.
It would make more sense to do it full speed, then Beyond full speed.
IF you were to do Beyond half speed for 2 years it would be quite a shock to then go into Bigger FULL speed.
She would likely fit perfectly into Little Hands now, Beyond next year. Remember all those activities are designed for the child's age. My son is having a blast in Little Hands now- he is 6.5. But I can see he will be perfectly prepared to move into Beyond soon... because welve totally gotten the hang of LH now. Our school days go quickly and smoothly, it's so cute! I can really tell a difference from the beginning of our year. I'd hate to have to limp along half speed in a guide he wasn't ready for. His confidence is so adorable to behold when he is well placed. They blossom when they know they're doing well.
It would make more sense to do it full speed, then Beyond full speed.
IF you were to do Beyond half speed for 2 years it would be quite a shock to then go into Bigger FULL speed.
She would likely fit perfectly into Little Hands now, Beyond next year. Remember all those activities are designed for the child's age. My son is having a blast in Little Hands now- he is 6.5. But I can see he will be perfectly prepared to move into Beyond soon... because welve totally gotten the hang of LH now. Our school days go quickly and smoothly, it's so cute! I can really tell a difference from the beginning of our year. I'd hate to have to limp along half speed in a guide he wasn't ready for. His confidence is so adorable to behold when he is well placed. They blossom when they know they're doing well.
9 yr old boy in Preparing
6 yr old girl loving all things LHFHG
6 yr old girl loving all things LHFHG
Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
Thanks for your responses I hadn't thought about how going slow would translate in future guides. I took a closer look at the Little Hearts guide. I think my goal was to have content that is at her level but also ease into it by going slow. I see now that the LHFHG guide offers that. It has the customizable LA and math to match her current abilities with gentle instruction in other areas along with some skill building. I also wanted to avoid having to supplement, but see now that it is easier to add to the curriculum than to pull back.
Thanks again for your help!
Thanks again for your help!
Sarah
Wife to Nate
Mom to Natalie, Shawn, Kyla
Wife to Nate
Mom to Natalie, Shawn, Kyla
Re: LHFHG or Beyond?
Hi Sarah! The ladies gave some good advice, and I think you came to a great consensus here! Doing a 1 year sweep of history, as LHFHG does, is such a good way to begin homeschooling from a history perspective. It just gives a great overview, and I love how it starts with what dc know something about - Bible history - and then moves on to 'newer to them' history. It is just neat to do before jumping into American history in Beyond. You can easily still use Beyond for anything you think dd is more advanced in - whether that be 1A/1B math, spelling list 1, emerging reader's set - all of this will not mess up the next year. You'd just do Beyond the next year, and do 2A/2B math, spelling list 2, and Drawn into the Heart of Reading 2/3. It all works! So, no worries! HOD makes it easy to beef up in the areas dc are advanced in without rushing in the areas they need to be more mature in (i.e. history and science and Bible concepts). Also, keep in mind, doing LHFHG full-speed could actually turn out to be more 'advanced' than Beyond half-speed, simply because dd will be doing each subject each day, rather than every other day. HTH, and I'm so excited for you to begin LHFHG!Sarah H wrote:Thanks for your responses I hadn't thought about how going slow would translate in future guides. I took a closer look at the Little Hearts guide. I think my goal was to have content that is at her level but also ease into it by going slow. I see now that the LHFHG guide offers that. It has the customizable LA and math to match her current abilities with gentle instruction in other areas along with some skill building. I also wanted to avoid having to supplement, but see now that it is easier to add to the curriculum than to pull back.
Thanks again for your help!
In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie