placement questions

[momofone]

According to the chart, my son will fall into the Beyond category...

However, (2nd grade this year) we have worked in Abeka Language book 2 and he completed some grammar work in 1st. He is also ready to gently try cursive.
I think Rod and Staff 2 would be good for him, moving at a slow pace.

We are somewhat behind in the history and science dept., especially history. I have not been interested in the history text. from Abeka.
He has worked with science some this year, but not thorough. He picks science up really well, since he loves it!
I'm trying to decide what to order??? I would really like to start now, as I've looked at HOD for awhile and I'm just ready to jump in and try it out!
So, what do you all suggest for me?
Thanks in advance!
Tina

[MamaMary]

Hi Tina,

How EXCITING! You are going to LOVE Beyond! One of the things I have found with HOD (that I didn't grasp until we had used the program for awhile) is how incredibly deep it goes. It's not just about history or science or writing. It's about teaching your child appropriate study skills at the right time. It teaches your child all about the Lord early on and even helps them transition into having their own quiet times and how to read through their bible. If you feel a nudge in your spirit to do cursive with your little one then I would order "Cheerful Cursive", though I don't think you would need to. I honestly think that you would be totally fine doing Beyond just as it's scheduled and wait until next year to do cursive when you get to "Bigger". However, you are mom and the Lord will speak to you in a more intimate and personal way and say..., PRAY, SEEK HIM and walk in that!

[Kathleen]

Tina,

I'm so glad that you're getting things figured out with where to start. It seems like such a long process...but it's totally worth it once you can just dive in and go! I agree with Mary that you'll probably be fine either way you go with handwriting and grammar. If your son is reallly wanting to start cursive, and you think it would be a good idea, I'd say order Cheerful Cursive and start in. I LOVE Cheerful Cursive!!! My son is learning to write beautifully this year (and handwriting isn't his strong point. ). It has a lot of slow steady practice with cursive letters and words. It also has the kids read cursive writing and go back and forth from cursive to manuscript and vice versa. The lessons in the Bigger guide schedule the cursive practice at the pace of a page per day. (Except the lessons that have 2 columns of words...it says to do one column a day on those.)

We started R&S 2 after doing Abeka's Language workbook 2nd grade. I think this would be an easy transition for you. This book is also scheduled at the pace of a lesson per day. THe intro to Bigger says NOT to do all the writing that's suggested, but to do quite a bit orally and only have your child do a few from each section written. I also let my ds do his English on a little whiteboard. He thinks this is fun! OR, I know that Beyond has gentle grammar lesson written into the guide once per week. I also think you'd be just fine to do those and start R&S in the fall or something like that. I know there's one mom here whose child has already done R&S 2 and is doing Beyond as is with the gentle grammar this year. R&S gets more advanced soon enough, so don't feel like you have to rush ahead.

Kathleen

[momofone]

Thanks Kathleen and Mary!
You all have been GREAT help to me in deciding!

I'm gonna order the Beyond economy pkg. for now, along with Morning Bells. I already own the science text, so that's a plus!
I probably will just finish out my year with my lang. book from Abeka and add in the weekly lang. lessons from Beyond.
I'm thinking in the fall, maybe doing the R&S, along with continuing Beyond. For now, I just need to get my Beyond book and go from there. I know we have LOTS of history, science and Bible to catch up on!
I will definately post more later to let you all know how things are going!

Thanks!!!! and many blessings to all of you!
Tina

[Carrie]

Tina,

I think your plan for finishing out the year sounds great. I agree that next year you can weigh whether or not to add Rod and Staff 2 or Cheerful Cursive. You'll have a better idea which way you want to go with that once you've gotten underway with Beyond. Enjoy your journey and don't feel the need to play catch-up with the history and science. Just take time to savor what is scheduled in the plans each day. You'll get to Bigger soon enough, and if you rush your little one may not be as prepared as need be.

Blessings,
Carrie

[momofone]

Thanks Carrie!
It really helps me to know that we agree. I am so looking forward to receiving my package in the mail. Can't wait to get started!
Thanks to you and all the others for the terrific help!
Blessings!
Tina