New to HOD

[cdrx4]

Hi...I have posted a couple of times, but in looking through the curriculum I have a question....
In preparing, I noticed that the history is world history. My son just got our of traditional school 2nd grade using Abeka, I am not sure there has been a lot of US history introduced. Am I wrong by doing World History before US History? Can I do US History with him next year, or should I do it this year using Bigger? I am still not quite sure how all of this correlates with us doing preparing next year and then where to go from that. I was just wondering about the US/World History question....What do you think or what have you done in the past? Thanks:)

[lmercon]

You will want to check where your son falls skills-wise on the placement chart, but age-wise he would fit well in Bigger. If you wanted to do American history, Bigger would be an excellent choice. You won't want to "back up" with the curriculum, so if you think you want to get in US history, now would be a good time to do it and then move into the world history cycle. My sil used Bigger for her fourth grader this year, and it worked well. If you think he will need more, you could always add the extension pack.
hth,
Laura

[cdrx4]

Age = BHFHG, PHFHG, HFHTT
Reading = PHFHG
Writing = HFHTT
Grammer = PHFHG
Math = I guess I will have him take the placement test on Singapore's web site?
Bible = BHFHG
History = BHFHG
Science = BHFHG (This is where his heart is.....)
Storytime = PHFHG
Poetry = PHFHG (Abeka is HUGE with memorization....)

This is where my ds fell under the placement and because there were more PHFHG, that is the curriculum I ordered. However, now that I am looking over the history, he will be missing out on US history and I dont know whether I should try and return PHFHG and get Bigger or how I should move forward.....Does anyone have any ideas? I think I should have gone with Bigger at the get go, but I went with what he fell under....I dont know....what do you wonderful women think I should do?
Thanks for ANY assistance!

[Kathleen]

I really think you could have a wonderful year either way. (So at least you have 2 great choices! )

I was in your shoes last year at this time. My son was coming from doing a Saxon/Abeka combo (textbook-style learning). I chose to start with Bigger with him, and we have had a WONDERFUL year! We were new to CM-style learning, and I'm guessing that will be the case for you too. That may make me lean towards saying Bigger would be a better way to ease into it. Narrating and dictation were both new to us...and I know it was a good thing for Grant to be able to start with the oral narration in Bigger before moving on to the written narrations in Preparing.

Seriously, I don't think you can make a "wrong" choice here. I'm praying for you right now that God would lead you in what to choose to start with this year. I know it can be kind of consuming, and all you think about for a while! Praying decision-making peace your way.

Kathleen

[Carrie]

cdrx4,

The ladies are doing a terrific job of helping you talk through your options. At HOD, we place the most emphasis on the first page of the placement chart as being the best help of placing your kiddo(s) in the right program. So, from looking at the listing you gave of where your son places on the first page of the chart, it would appear that Preparing Hearts would be the best fit for him.

In trying to refresh my memory about your son, I went digging back through some older posts, and it was helpful to me to see some of what you'd shared about his academics in past threads as well. It looks like you're planning to use Apologia for science, which is fine, but that will definitely pull out the independent science written to the student in Preparing Hearts and will add time to your day. You'd also mentioned in a past thread a concern about your son being bored, which would then lead me to definitely move him in the Preparing Hearts direction (since that is where he fits on the placement chart for the 3R's -which drives all other subjects).

You will, ultimately know your child best, and we can only advise you based on the information you provide for us on the board. But, no matter what you decide there is much meat and much to be learned throughout both Bigger and Preparing Hearts. Either way, you will be in for a wonderful year.

At this point, I'd encourage you to lay out your books for Preparing Hearts and read through a week in the guide, looking at the corresponding books while reading through the plans and making sure your son can handle the work load in Preparing Hearts. You'll have a much better idea whether it's a fit for him if you carefully, and in a quiet room, read through an entire week visualizing each part of the day with his work habits and independence in mind.

Blessings,
Carrie