Placement For 2015-2016

[3greatkids]

I'm hoping some of the long-time HOD users could please lend some advice. We are close to completing our second year of homeschooling. DS is 10 and twin DDs are 8. Last year (2013-2014) we used Beyond as written for the girls and DS did Math, Science, and Language Arts Box from Bigger, but the remainder from Beyond with his sisters. This year (2014-2015) we followed that same philosophy and DS did Preparing's Science, Math, and Language but the remainder of Bigger. We really like HOD and plan to stick with it long term, Lord willing. My question is, can we continue this throughout our journey or does mixing two guides lessen the learning because key connections between the boxes are lost? Truthfully, we would like to continue as we have been as they enjoy working together, but it also allows each child have some individualized attention as well. This system too has been a time saver, and like most of the families on this message board, we are busy. Thanks!

[3greatkids]

I just wanted to bump this up. I was hoping to get some advice before I start the process for ordering next year's materials (we school year round so I usually try to order by April). I am trying to avoid calling HOD just because I know they are busy with writing, schooling their own kids, and getting ready for conferences.

[Nealewill]

I don't see why this wouldn't work if you are happy with it.

One thing that I have found though is I really like having my kids do their own guides. Again, I think it will be fine but have you ever considered letting the 10 year old just do all of Preparing next year? I know you mentioned that you are really busy but you won't need to invest so much time in science next year like you did this year with the 10 year old. One really nice thing about doing a guide as is is that it makes it easier for you. For Preparing, the main difference you will notice is that you will only spend about 10 minutes reading history to them. And then the History read a louds are another 10 minutes. I think Bible took 5-10 minutes extra on me 2 times per week and then Preparing includes a creative writing based on the poetry. I think I probably spent about 1-1.5 hours max with my oldest when she did Preparing and that included my teaching time for all boxes. With Bigger, I have spent no more than 2.5 hours with my son while he works on his stuff this year - and that is for all teaching time for him. Also, I am not sure if you school 5 days a week or only 4 but Preparing is written to 4 days per week. So the work load is shifted a little bit differently and is only spread over 4 days a week. You could use the extra day for a while to get things caught up or to help your son get independent.

While you could continue on in the fashion you are doing, there are skills tied to the science box. So if you were able to do Preparing as is, rather than having your 10 year old do Preparing science with Bigger history, you may find your year to be much more balanced. Plus skills learned in Preparing help kids get ready for the skills they need in CTC.

[LynnH]

My concern would be that as you move up in guides there are skills built into the history that prepare them for the rest of the guide. That is where the written narrations start advancing and for example they do written narrations in history in CTC after learning how to do them in Preparing. Then in RTR they start doing written narrations for science also based on the practice they have had doing them for history for 2 years. If you stay a year ahead in science he would miss out on that skill practice. They also learn different oral narration skills that require deeper thinking that prepare them for the deeper thinking. Some of the science does loosely connect to the history in that some of the living books they read in science and I think even story time tie in with those who were important in the field of science during the time period being studied.

I will admit though that I do the guides pretty much as written because after almost 6 years of doing HOD I see how all the skills tie together and build on each other and how much thought Carrie put into the guides as far as balancing out how much time is spent in each box and how each guide flows so well.

[3greatkids]

I am thankful to the wonderful ladies who have responded. Daneale, DS 10 has done math, science, and language arts from Preparing this year. If I move him into CTC next year, he will miss the "left side" of Preparing. If I do put him in his own guide, do you have a recommendation as to which program level I should skip (i.e. put him in his own guide now or in a year or two)?

[Nealewill]

That is a tough question Have you checked the placement chart? Is he a really strong reader? Can he write quite a bit? If so, then I would probably bump him up to CTC and have him do all of it alone. Even if he isn't quite there yet, if you feel like he can grow into his guide, then I would bump him. But if not, then I would probably continue on with what you are doing. I will be honest, I have considered the same schedule you listed but I ended up not doing it. Preparing is where your child will learn how to do written narrations. But if your son is already fairly good at communicating his ideas and such, then maybe he would be fine in CTC. With CTC, it does a lot of hand holding for narrations in the beginning with History. The only thing that would probably take some getting used to would be all of the independence. But you are going to experience that regardless with all of the kids when they bump up to Preparing anyway.

I do know Julie and Carrie do jump on the boards regularly. I am hoping they weight in as well. But I do think if he places in CTC when you look at the placement chart, I would probably just bump him up for everything.

[Jennymommy]

Two things come to mind. One, how will he be set up when it comes to highschool? If he will need to jump up anytime, now would be easiest as he will cover history starting in CTC through MTMM, so missing Preparing wouldn't be a huge deal. Two, he may really enjoy having his own guide and leading the way for sisters

[3greatkids]

I just want to thank each HOD Mom who responded. I have really given consideration to what each of you said. I haven't yet made a final decision. DS is definitely my biggest challenge school-wise. He is smart and has great potential but is "all boy". He'd rather be in our barn delivering a calf, out hunting, or stacking firewood. While he is much happier homeschooling than he was in ps, he still says he doesn't particularly care for school even though he does enjoy the great book selections. I walk a fine line between pushing a bit to fulfill his potential and really destroying his love for learning.

[Nealewill]

You are very welcome.

And you are not alone in walking your fine line. Recently, everyone at my house just got the stomach bug (last week). Then I had mouth surgery last week and I got the stomach bug yesterday. Needless to say, school has been very hit or miss. Well, today was a fairly tough day for everyone because I was feeling back to normal but no one really wanted to do school. For me, it always seems like a delicate line. But I will say that if your day is taking the appropriate amount of time as the guide lists, then probably continuing on in the same fashion you are going is probably good.

But one thing I had read previously is that sometimes students skip MTMM if they finish RevtoRev and are ready for the WG high school guide. You wouldn't have to do that necessarily but if you felt like you want to do that, this would be a 3rd option if you will. This way, your son is still gradually pushed each year but then once he is ready for high school, he will just move right in.