Hands on projects question

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forever lovers

Hands on projects question

Post by forever lovers » Fri Jul 25, 2014 6:29 pm

Hello I'm pretty much decided on doing HOD this next school year. I've been reading a lot of posts on the message board which I have enjoyed so much. I think for me my biggest concern is whether I can get all of the hands on projects done. I was able to talk with Julie on the phone two weeks ago and I felt very encouraged after visiting with her. I will be doing Bigger with my 9 almost 10 year old son. LHTH with my little girl going into first, and LHTH over two years with my newly turned 4 year old daughter. I love the whole literature based, Charlotte Mason approach to teaching. I also appreciate so much all the biblical and character lessons that HOD has woven into their curriculum. Julie thought that I should be able to do everything just fine. I know from past experience that if there is to much time in hands on projects I tend to get overwhelmed. I was wondering if anyone would have anything to share on this? I would love any thoughts you might have to share. :D Thank you so much have a wonderful weekend! Annalisa

LynnH
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Location: OH
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Re: Hands on projects question

Post by LynnH » Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:12 pm

The hands on projects in HOD are very different from hands on projects in other programs. They use supplies you usually have around your house and they are fairly quick to do. I have seen other programs where they mummified chickens or other really time consuming things. That isn't the case for HOD especially in the younger guides. If you look at the week in review board you can probably see examples of some hands on projects from the guides you will be doing.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/

StephanieU
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Re: Hands on projects question

Post by StephanieU » Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:57 pm

The projects in HOD (at least LHTH< LHFHG, and Beyond) are fairly short and simple. As for prep work, it is almost none. Most of the projects have taken us less than 20 minutes to complete. The only times things have taken longer is because my kids wanted to keep going. But even then, I didn't have to stand right there with them. It was things like painting that I just needed to be within ear shot to prevent huge messes, etc.
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)

MelInKansas
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Re: Hands on projects question

Post by MelInKansas » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:32 pm

I am not a big project/craft person and the hands-on projects were the most daunting part of doing HOD for me. I honestly have to admit I skipped them a lot at different times, when I was pregnant or something. But now I try to complete them all and as the others have mentioned I do find them quick and easy to do, and fun. I enjoy doing them with my kids and I have really seen how they cement the learning from the other readings and activities. Usually it is just one project per day and some of them are messier and more work than others (maybe in the younger guides there's one "messy" project a week). For me messy is things like paint, chocolate syrup in a pan, water, stuff like that. It's not terrible but requires more of my attention to make sure a big mess doesn't get made. I am glad HOD includes these projects, not as suggested add-ons but as part of what you're supposed to do each day. Kids learn best when all of their senses and interests are involved and I have seen how well-rounded this makes their education. So that's my encouragement to just do them, even if you don't enjoy them or feel they are a lot of work. Most of the rest of HOD is so easy and quick, but that extra time is well worth it.

I also think as kids get older and can be trusted or can do more things on their own it has gotten more fun and rewarding for me to do the projects with them.
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

Nealewill
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Re: Hands on projects question

Post by Nealewill » Sat Jul 26, 2014 10:23 am

I also have found the hands on projects VERY manageable and enjoyable. I love hands on stuff but not really my kids. And they just tucker out after about 5-10 minutes LOL. These hands on projects are very quick to complete, staggered through out the week for older guides and my kids also really enjoy doing them. And they are NOT expensive and don't take a bunch of extra specialty stuff either. That was a big complaint I had before - I was always shopping. For us, the hands on projects are easy to get done and we really like them.
Daneale

DD 13 WG
DS 12 R2R
DD 10 R2R

Enjoyed DITHOR, Little Hearts, Beyond, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, R2R, RevtoRev, MtMM

Nealewill
Posts: 1611
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 5:08 pm
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Re: Hands on projects question

Post by Nealewill » Sat Jul 26, 2014 10:25 am

I meant to also add - I do actually feel like these hands on projects do actually add to the learning. I have felt in the past that my kids never got the volume of learning when compared with the volume of time spent on a project. For HOD, I do think they enhance what they learned. And they actually make it memorable. My kids still look back through pictures of things we did last year and they can tell me a lot about what we were learning about because of that project.
Daneale

DD 13 WG
DS 12 R2R
DD 10 R2R

Enjoyed DITHOR, Little Hearts, Beyond, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, R2R, RevtoRev, MtMM

my3sons
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Location: South Dakota

Re: Hands on projects question

Post by my3sons » Sun Jul 27, 2014 9:02 pm

You've already received such wonderful answers here already! I'll just say "Hi!" and that I'm thrilled to 'see ya' on the HOD Board, Annalisa! :D :D :D

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

gardenmama28
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:27 am

Re: Hands on projects question

Post by gardenmama28 » Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:32 pm

One of the reasons I picked HOD is that I knew my kids would love projects and hands on activities, but I don't really enjoy them and am terrible at coming up with them on my own. I was glad that there was hands on stuff but it wasn't super complicated and it was all planned out for me. Last year I skipped some activities, mostly when I didn't feel a personal interest in the activity..... but I wish I would have done them more faithfully as I know that they are included as a part of the curriculum for a reason developmentally and not just busy work. But I'm planning to be more committed to doing them consistently this year. And they really don't take very much time or prep. I often would not even read ahead, and I could truly just open the guide and go in the morning - maybe prep 5 min for an activity while my daughter did her math or handwriting practice.

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