A couple other books that haven't been mentioned that we have and really like are from The Learning Parent. Here is a link: https://www.thelearningparent.com/products.asp?cat=29 We have both the Character Trails and Crossroads of Character. Our kids are 6, 4 1/2, and 3 and they all like both of these. Another character curriculum that we have that is free that we add to what ever story we are reading is Kids of Integrity. www.kidsofintegrity.com You can just click on the "lessons" tab and then choose the character trait you are working on. It has bible stories, creative discipline, activities, and more laid out for that character trait.

LHFHG wasn't really a big hit here. We used about 2/3 of it and have moved on. The activities didn't always seem worthwhile. They look fun but we are more of a reading family. A history program that we have purchased and like is http://www.elementalhistory.com It has about one fun doable activity a week and then also note booking if you want to include that. Best of all it is only $15 for the Tm and student books. A science is the Intro to science from http://www.elementalsciene.com There is not a religious focus but I found that when I looked through some of the HoD science it was more focused on history not necessarily tying it to the bible. The text that they use is from a Christian publisher. I didn't personally like the text that was used foe lHFHG again we like to read more books on the topic. I do really like the idea of HOD but didn't find the fit as well with our family right now. HTH :D

I am also thinking about Math Lessons for a LE for my dd. I am using CLE 1 for my ds slowly this year into next for 1st grade. My dd doesn't have the same math brain as my ds so I thought this would be more fun for K before we get into the heavier math. If you order yours you will have to let me know what you think...

This is exactly what I was going to suggest. I have it (haven't used it yet) and I think it would work really well for what you are wanting.

You are not alone!!! (I am glad to hear I am not the only one:lol:) I thought, ok once I figure this out we will be good to go. I don't want to flip flop around. So far what I thought was best with all my research ended up not working, then we changed to something else, then I wasn't sure that I liked that and the kids weren't retaining.....well you can see my plan hasn't quite worked for picking one curriculum and going with it.:001_smile: So sorry no advice on how not to do that here. I think experience. Once you have seen things, tried things, and then gotten over the fact that you are going to have to change things at times, you probably just come to terms with the process. At least that's what I am hoping magically happens over here!:lol: Like the more wise homeschoolers keep saying.....RELAX! RELAX! RELAX! (I am actually saying this to myself because I don't seem to know the definition of realx when it comes to homeschooling. I guess that means we are good parents who care, right?);)

I can't say that I can speak from experience because we are really just finishing up our first year and I still don't feel like I have anything together but..... I think your plan sounds GREAT!!! I love the idea to be focused on one subject each day. To me it just makes sense that you could go deep with your learning not just briefly touch on things trying to get to the next thing. Hey, if you do end up doing this next year (or start now:D) I would love to hear how you like it!

Do you consider Beyond and up to be the older guides or Bigger and up? Just curious.

I feel like the bulk of the program (besides doing 3 Rs ofcourse) is the activity box and we are not crazy about the activities in the younger guides. In other words the left side of the guide reading is very minimal (short) and then you have the activities. From bigger on up do the activities get better? If you weren't crazy about the activities in the lower guides did you change them or add different ones inorder to stay with HOD?

:party: Thank you for all the advice and cheering me on!!! I can do this!!!!!

If you are ok with Christian content this is an excellent website with free curriculum. www.hubbardscupboard.org The 3 yr old curriculum is a letter of the week. Just click on the pre-k and then scroll down a little and click on 3's. There is a scope and sequence link that will open a pdf file so you can see everything that is covered. There is also a book list pdf above that to take to the library. Hope this helps! ETA: Another website that has lots of activities/printouts for books is www.homeschoolcreations.com

:lurk5:

I'm not that familiar with ETC. Does it line up somewhat with PP or do you just have your ds do a page or two?

My ds and dd are reading CVC words. Do you think it would be worth while using AAR? I actually ordered it because it does look amazing but now I am having second thoughts wondering if there is enough there to make it worthwhile for where my kids are at. (kind of expensive for us) I am also concerned seeing how many lessons there are that the AAR2 won't be out quick enough. I watched the 1st one keep getting pushed back when it was released. What do you think? Have you gotten very far in the program to know if it would be adding much for my dc? I want to keep moving them forward because they both seem ready.

Hmmm... sounds like this might be more of my problem. Honestly when I first read Carol's amazing plan that she posted, I was overwhelmed. I think because I have to decide and wouldn't have a curriculum telling me exactly what I should do. Then thinking about how I simply started reading a chapter from Proverbs at lunch and then add a poem or two and then added a picture book (or 2;)) - that is when things are working and the learning is taking place in a relaxed way. I am not stressed feeling like I don't know if I can get things done. I am not frustrated not liking what the curriculum is telling me I should be doing but not wanting to skip it in fear of missing something. And - gasp - it is simple, even easy! In one weeks time just by doing those simple things (at snack or lunch time) we have read 5 chapters in the bible, 14+ picture books, 5 poems, and somtimes 5 chapters in a chapter book. Now I need to be brave to step out of the "box" (ha ha pun intended) to apply these simple steps to science, history, etc....we know I have the books around.:001_smile: Thank you for making me reflect and see that a curriculum does not dictate the education that my children are receiving! Carol (and anyone) keep the advice coming!!! I wish you lived closer to WI, I would be over with my notebook to pick your brain more.:D

Thank you, this is such a GREAT idea!!!

Thank you for such great advice - I LOVE this board!!! Yes, I need to relax...;) I love some of the ideas for scheduling things and will be adding some of them into our day. I think I am getting my plan in order now I'm just not sure I like my phonics...will it never end!!!!!:willy_nilly: Not to keep this thread going by adding in another question but what do you like for phonics or maybe I don't want to know? :tongue_smilie:

I just PM'd you about this. Hope it helps!

Thank you for the additional ideas and links. I am off to talk with hubby and try to figure this all out again...wish me luck!:lol:

Thank you for the link. This is helpful to have something to follow when making out a plan if that is what I end up doing.:001_smile:

[quote name= There you go! A plan! WOW, that is a plan!! You are amazing if you are doing this in your homeschool. Thank you for taking the time to share all the great ideas!:D

Since you have the TM in hand can I ask a question??? Do you think it would be doable for a 1st and K? If I modified the actual notebooking/writing portions? Would the history and science info work out for that level? I noticed it uses Pioneers and Patriots as one of it's spines which HOD BLHFHG does and I was considering that as well. TIA!!

This sounds so good! Yes, I make it waaaaay too hard!! I am finding that if I don't have a "plan" to follow I don't do it....could it be the 3 yr old (in March) and 1 year old I am also chasing around???:lol:

Ok, no Sonlight for us. That is exactly what I was worried about. Monica - What ages are you going to do Adventures? Since MFW 1st is so heavily phonics I am not really interested in doing that but wonder if I can do Adventures with the ages I have? Would everything go over their heads? I was just reading another post about Adventures and they were talking about using the BF picture books that I have with the Adventures. I love the bible aspect too...thoughts if I could jump ahead a year???

I'm glad I am not the only one!:001_smile: I thought about just picking curri. for each subject instead of a "boxed curri." I think my lack of confidence is why I am hesitant. TQ is one I had thought of and adding in the BF early american history books that I have (picture books). It is so hard when there are so many wonderful curriculum out there - but I am so picky!:lol: Thank you for the encouragement I might just piece things together! It is so hard to give up the other curriculum above when I do like some things....