To Combine or Not to Combine?

[Missy Staggers]

Ok so We will be starting our first year of HOD in a few weeks. But I am not sure whether or not to combine my boys. I ordered Bigger and Beyond, but I was going to combine their History, Science, Art, Poetry, Story time. And then keep them separate for Math and Language Arts, and reading. But I am not so sure about this now, I am thinking maybe I just keep them in their separate guides. One is 8 and the other is 6, my oldest is going to be 3rd grade and then the next is 1st grade. I just wasn't sure I could do two guides, but now I am wondering if it will be better for both of them so I am not pushing one and holding one back. My oldest 8 is very bright and can do most of his work independently while 6yr is not quite there yet. There is only 18 months difference in age but, quite a bit as far as maturity. I was hoping some of you might have some suggestions or words of encouragement. I know there are several of you who do separate guides, I have read your posts and even some of the scheduling ones as well. Just wasn't sure about the amount of time it will take to do two guides either as I have two youngers as well 4yrs and 2yrs who will be starting LHTH. Any ideas you could offer would be helpful. Thanks so much

[Motherjoy]

Last year I had a kindergartener (advanced), 1st and 3rd in Beyond. It was a great fit. At the beginning of the year my little one had trouble sitting still, so he was excused at times, but now he's working full speed.

Beyond is a great guide, and I think it would be a good intro to Heart of Dakota. Unless their skills start really separating, I would combine if possible. It's fun at this age, and you can always separate later, if needed.

[Missy Staggers]

Thanks Motherjoy, Maybe I am just second guessing myself too much..lol Plus as I was going through our books I was looking at the ones we probably will not use and thinking man I hate to miss that, they all look so good..lol

[3greatkids]

Hello! I too have an 8 year old third grader and 6 year old twin first graders. I also bought both Beyond and Bigger. After torturing myself with how to proceed, I followed Mike's advice from HOD. We will do the left side of Beyond all together, then my oldest will do the right side of Bigger while my youngers do the right side of Beyond. We started this week and it is going so well. They enjoy working together and I realize how little grammar, history and science my oldest had in ps so starting at the upper end of the age guide for those subjects seems to indeed be the best choice. Good luck!

[Missy Staggers]

I think the reason I am having trouble deciding is because they are so different from each other skill wise. They went to a really good Christian school and my 8 yr old is very independent, and my 6yr old is not as independent yet and still struggles s little with his reading and writing. My 8 yr old son is very bright and in his 2nd grade class last year they did 3rd grade history and science, his teacher worked with them to help them to be more independent and responsible. My husband and I talked about this last night and he thinks for now that I should try to separate them and if that gets to be too much for me, with having 2 other little guys, then i can always combine them later. I thank you all so much for your help and suggestions. I love this board!!! everyone is so helpful. God Bless.

[Gwenny]

Good choice. Especially because your husband wants it. But also, when their skills are so far apart, you are holding the first one back and it won't help time-wise for you or for that child.

[Missy Staggers]

Thanks Gwenny, thats what I was thinking too. I am so excited about starting, as I am going through everything and making plans, I think man we are going to have so much fun together! I cannot wait to be learning right along with them..LOL I just feel so blessed to be able to home school and so thankful that this where the Lord has lead.

[MelInKansas]

Here's another take on it, not to make you 2nd guess your decision. I can see both sides of it, I have a 1st and 3rd grader in the fall and they are in Beyond and 1/2 way through Bigger. The things you mention your 6YO being weak on are things that will always be done separately anyway. Each child has to do their own reading, writing, and math, those subjects are separate whether you are in one guide or two. So you tailor it to each of their level. Since you have both guides, you can use the hands-on math activities and grammar/LA in both like one poster said they were doing, but combining with History, Science, Bible, Art, those kinds of things which are easier to pull in a wider range of skills. Beyond has extension books which your older child could read on his own or you could read to him to give him a deeper insight into the concepts.

I can tell you that doing all the Bigger guide will take up quite a bit more time each day. I try to fit it in during my younger ones' nap/rest time or other down time when the littles are not underfoot (right after meals they will usually play happily for example). Also if you are able to get through those guides in a year (or even if it's more) then you'd be in Bigger and Preparing at one time which is even MORE time consuming. After Preparing the child can take off with more independence and it takes up less of your time as the teacher. You just have to have them well-trained to do the work well on their own and allow them to be where they will not be too distracted by the busy-ness of a full household.

God always provides a way, and I don't mean to introduce doubt when you had made a decision. I am just thinking through what I might do in that situation. I had wanted to combine my oldest and 2nd born also but they were too far apart skill wise and now that I have kept them separate I am glad. I would have been holding my 1st born back. But I also had the issue that she had already gone through the guide, so repeating it with her didn't seem like a good option to me.