From Our House to Yours
A Hybrid Approach to Little Hearts and Beyond Little Hearts
Heart of Dakota’s (HOD’s) Little Hearts for His Glory (LHFHG) has a target age range of 5-7 years old. This means the bulk of the guide is geared toward children within this target age range. So, the history, science, Bible study, devotional, music, art projects, rhymes, activities, read-alouds all are very appropriate for children ages 5-7. These subjects are more inspirational, and as such, have a wider range of appropriate placement. In contrast, language arts and math are more disciplinary subjects. These subjects have a smaller range of appropriate placement. They require more fine tuning. There are already multiple levels of phonics, math, fine motor skills, handwriting, and even science in LHFHG’s plans. However, what if you are combining a 5 year-old with a 7 year-old that is just ready for more in language arts and math? Well, you take a hybrid approach!
A Hybrid Approach to Reading
Little Hearts for His Glory (LHFHG) already has two phonics options – The Reading Lesson and Reading Made Easy. However, if your 7 year-old is reading Level 1 or 2 books quite fluently (such as Frog and Toad Are Friends or Amelia Bedelia), it’s time to take a hybrid approach. How do you do this? Well, you use the Emerging Reader’s Set and its plans with the Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory (Beyond) teacher’s guide. With a daily reading schedule and oral comprehension questions targeted to each day’s specific reading, The Emerging Reader’s Set and the Beyond guide offer the perfect hybrid approach!
A Hybrid Approach to Math
LHFHG has two math options. The first option includes Essentials Kindergarten Math A and B. The LHFHG guide has wonderful hands-on daily math plans to teach the K math. In the Appendix of the LHFHG guide, there is a second option for using 1A/1B Singapore Math. This schedule uses the textbook to teach 1A/1B, with the workbook to follow. However, if you prefer hands-on math plans to teach 1A/1B, or if you have one super smart little one that places in Singapore Math 2A/2B, it’s time to take the hybrid approach! How? Well, you use the Beyond teacher’s guide. With daily hands-on math plans for 1A/1B, by using the Beyond guide, you don’t even need to buy the 1A/1B Textbooks. So, really, by using this hybrid approach for 1A/1B, you’re getting the Beyond guide for nearly $30 less (the guide less the cost of the textbooks).
A Hybrid Approach to Spelling
LHFHG does not include spelling plans, as most children this age do not need them. However, if your 7 year-old is ready for spelling, it is time to take the hybrid approach! The Appendix of the Beyond teacher’s guide includes two levels of spelling lists. Four days each week, the Beyond guide provides lessons for each week’s spelling list. These plans do an excellent job of preparing children for the later, more challenging spelling skills used in Charlotte Mason-style dictation. So, if you have a 7 year-old in LHFHG who is ready for spelling, take the hybrid approach by adding the spelling plans from the Beyond guide!
A Hybrid Approach to Grammar
LHFHG does not include grammar plans, as most children this age do not need them. However, if your 7 year-old is ready for a basic introduction to grammar, it’s time to take the hybrid approach! Each Day 5 of each weekly unit in the Beyond teacher’s guide includes an activity to teach a grammar skill. Each week teaches a new grammar skill that prepares kiddos well for the later, more challenging grammar skills taught in R & S English. The grammar lessons in Beyond usually don’t require much writing, so they are perfect for 7 year-olds ready for grammar but not ready for a lot of writing! Click here and scroll down to the “Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage” section of the Beyond guide to see a list of the grammar skills taught.
A Full or Partial Hybrid Approach
So, if you have a 7 year-old or nearly 8 year-old using LHFHG for a core guide, either solo or combined with a younger sibling, consider a hybrid approach! Choose a full hybrid approach for a 7 year-old ready for more in all language arts and math areas. Or, choose a partial hybrid approach for a 7 year-old ready for more in just one or two areas. Either way, you can easily use a full or partial hybrid approach alongside LHFHG as your main guide. Better yet, you won’t be out your Economy Package savings the following year when you use Beyond as your main guide! Just let HOD know you already purchased your Beyond guide from them the year before, and HOD will still apply your nearly $20 package savings when you order the rest of the Economy Package later. Hope you enjoy some of these hybrid ideas!
In Christ,
Julie
