Hi there!
We've completed week 18 in our guides and we're about to take a break til August. My original PLAN was to pick back up where we were in August and finish by Th'giving. Take a nice long break for Christmas and begin the new levels with my children in January, BUT I have a conundrum.
When I look at the placement chart my oldest 2 have "moved to the next level" in their abilities and I find myself wondering if I should go ahead and begin the new levels in August.
My oldest (age12) is half-way through Preparing and easily places on the CTC level. He is just completely Singapore 4B and is half-way through Rod and Staff 4. He reads super well and is VERY independent. We are currently using DITHOR level 4/5. One of my "ideas" for him is when we pick back up in August to continue as we are with Preparing, but to move him up to DITHOR Level 6/7/8 and to add in an additional science material. Or he could finish up Rod and Staff 4 this summer and begin CTC in the fall along with DITHOR 6/7/8.
My next son (age 10) is half-way through BIgger right-side/Beyond left-side and easily places on the Preparing Level. He is half-way through Rod and Staff 2 and has just completed Singapore 2B . He has not begun DITHOR. One of my "ideas" for him is when we pick up in August is to continue on, but begin DITHOR and give him some additonal science books to read, as well. Or he could finish up Rod and Staff this summer and begin the right side of Preparing in the fall, left side of Bigger.
My next son (age 8 ) is half way though Beyond and easily places on the Bigger Level. He is half-way through Singapore 2B, is working his way though the emerging readers and has not begun Rod and Staff. One of my "ideas" for him is when we pick up in August to simply continue on, but begin Dictation and Rod and Staff 2 with him. Or we could simply begin Bigger in the fall, along with Dictation and Rod and Staff 2.
Any thoughts?
Moving to the next level?
Moving to the next level?
With Joy!
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
-
WigglesMom
Re: Moving to the next level?
If it were me, I would want them to finish the level they are on before moving ahead. That way they cement the skills that each guide introduces, implements, and practices until mastered. That is just me. My kids would know that we were quitting the guide and I could see that being problematic in the future. The children finishing half-way and then being ready to move on b/c they felt they had mastered that guide. It could set a precedent that you don't want in the long run.
You could still work through the next guide in the same school year next year. We just began with our guides, but we will also finish around Christmas break and then in January we will begin the next guide for each kid and we should finish the next guide by mid-June to early July next summer.
I wouldn't want to stop mid-guide just because my kids moved up on the placement chart. I would want them to feel the since of accomplishment of completing and finishing the level they began.
Only you will know what will be best for your kids and your family though.
Val
You could still work through the next guide in the same school year next year. We just began with our guides, but we will also finish around Christmas break and then in January we will begin the next guide for each kid and we should finish the next guide by mid-June to early July next summer.
I wouldn't want to stop mid-guide just because my kids moved up on the placement chart. I would want them to feel the since of accomplishment of completing and finishing the level they began.
Only you will know what will be best for your kids and your family though.
Val
Re: Moving to the next level?
Hi Florence! I can see what you are saying here. I think I like your idea of finishing out the programs, and upping the level of DITHOR; then starting the new guides in January. You could do PHFHG 5 x a week and finish earlier to start CTC earlier than Jan. if you wanted. Or, another option would be to have your dc do only the history/science readings scheduled on the left side of their guides this summer, along with finishing grammar. Then, start with the new guides in August. This way, your dc would finish out all of the readings, but not all of the additional skills/activities (though this saddens me because the additional boxes are wonderful and do a great job of preparing dc for what is to come in the next guide). I think it's a good idea to complete at least the history/science readings since that will finish the flow of the time period being studied prior to beginning a new guide. You will know what is best here, but those are a few ideas that came to mind. 
In Christ,
Julie
In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Re: Moving to the next level?
Florence,
I am by all means a finisher, so I almost always advise finishing the current guide before moving up to the next guide. However, with the ages of your kiddos, you've got me possibly rethinking that tried and true advice.
I would most likely, in your very unique situation, move your 8 and 10 year olds up to Bigger Hearts when you pick school back up again in August. If you do go that route, I would over the summer finish reading through the history spines from Beyond in order to enjoy those books and to plant the seeds of those wonderful early American history stories within their minds prior to heading into Bigger Hearts.
Before moving your kiddos up from Beyond to Bigger, I would make sure that they are ready to handle the upped level of writing within Bigger Hearts. If you feel they would falter or struggle in this area, then I would keep going with Beyond instead (making the adjustments up in English, dictation, and DITHR that you mentioned in your post).
As far as your oldest son goes, I would do Preparing Hearts 5 days a week to finish early instead, or since he is on the top age-range within Preparing Hearts, if you desired to do as my3son's suggested and have him read the Preparing Hearts history spines and science spines over the summer and start CTC instead in August you could. I would (in his situation) weigh his enjoyment with Preparing Hearts and the level of work he is producing in Preparing Hearts, and if your son is really enjoying himself and doing very well I'd most likely keep him in Preparing. However, if he seems like he needs more I would move him up to CTC.
Blessings,
Carrie
I am by all means a finisher, so I almost always advise finishing the current guide before moving up to the next guide. However, with the ages of your kiddos, you've got me possibly rethinking that tried and true advice.
I would most likely, in your very unique situation, move your 8 and 10 year olds up to Bigger Hearts when you pick school back up again in August. If you do go that route, I would over the summer finish reading through the history spines from Beyond in order to enjoy those books and to plant the seeds of those wonderful early American history stories within their minds prior to heading into Bigger Hearts. Before moving your kiddos up from Beyond to Bigger, I would make sure that they are ready to handle the upped level of writing within Bigger Hearts. If you feel they would falter or struggle in this area, then I would keep going with Beyond instead (making the adjustments up in English, dictation, and DITHR that you mentioned in your post).
As far as your oldest son goes, I would do Preparing Hearts 5 days a week to finish early instead, or since he is on the top age-range within Preparing Hearts, if you desired to do as my3son's suggested and have him read the Preparing Hearts history spines and science spines over the summer and start CTC instead in August you could. I would (in his situation) weigh his enjoyment with Preparing Hearts and the level of work he is producing in Preparing Hearts, and if your son is really enjoying himself and doing very well I'd most likely keep him in Preparing. However, if he seems like he needs more I would move him up to CTC.
Blessings,
Carrie
Re: Moving to the next level?
Thank you everyone for your thoughtful replies. They are all enjoying their work...no complaints in that department. However, as their "teacher" I feel that they've progressed so much and in light of their ages I think it "might" be time to move them up. IF I should do that I do plan to finish out the history/science readings before going the next level. Easily done. I'm going to continue to pray on this. We're "testing" on Thursday, so that might be instrumental in what I decide to do. All 3 seem to be ready for "more of a challenge". I'm just trying to discern what exactly that means. Yet, in many ways their mastery of their material seems to enable them to now have the mental freedom to take on other projects (of their own initiative) which challenge and delight them. And that is indeed a blessing!
With Joy!
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
Re: Moving to the next level?
Hi all,
I thought I would share what I have decided to do. For starters, I'm really pleased with the work all my sons are doing, their attitudes, the material their covering, their progress with skills. I would rather them finish the material they're working with completely before moving on and we simply don't have time this summer to work ahead. So, we're going to pick back up in August where we left off in June. However, I'm going to do the following ....
for my oldest (12) who is in Preparing. I'm going to move him into DITHOR 6/7/8 and use the Boy Interest Set with CTC as his book pack. And although we are reading aloud books from the Beyond List for Storytime I'm going to provide him with the books on the Read Aloud list for Preparing for him to read on his own at his leisure.
for my 10 yo who is doing Bigger Right Side, Beyond Left Side. However, although capable he is a bit introverted and lacks academic confidence. In fact, his fine motor skills seem delayed for a child his age. He seems to excel by taking things SLOW. I'm going to begin DITHOR with him. I'm also going to get the extension pack science books listed in Bigger for him to read on his own. He may be ready to move up a level on the dictation. I'll assess that when we start back in August and if so, I'll move him up. We'll continue with Rod and Staff 2.
for my 8 yo who is in Beyond. I am going to begin dictation with him. Finish the emerging readers and begin Rod and Staff 2.
We''ll continue our nature journals and MFW geography work on our 5th day. As an aside, all 3 boys have become quite engaged with journalling! And we have a strong commitment as a family to be well, to be in the Word, and to be creative. It is my prayer that by lingering on the level a little longer that we'll be more earnest in our other pursuits.
I thought I would share what I have decided to do. For starters, I'm really pleased with the work all my sons are doing, their attitudes, the material their covering, their progress with skills. I would rather them finish the material they're working with completely before moving on and we simply don't have time this summer to work ahead. So, we're going to pick back up in August where we left off in June. However, I'm going to do the following ....
for my oldest (12) who is in Preparing. I'm going to move him into DITHOR 6/7/8 and use the Boy Interest Set with CTC as his book pack. And although we are reading aloud books from the Beyond List for Storytime I'm going to provide him with the books on the Read Aloud list for Preparing for him to read on his own at his leisure.
for my 10 yo who is doing Bigger Right Side, Beyond Left Side. However, although capable he is a bit introverted and lacks academic confidence. In fact, his fine motor skills seem delayed for a child his age. He seems to excel by taking things SLOW. I'm going to begin DITHOR with him. I'm also going to get the extension pack science books listed in Bigger for him to read on his own. He may be ready to move up a level on the dictation. I'll assess that when we start back in August and if so, I'll move him up. We'll continue with Rod and Staff 2.
for my 8 yo who is in Beyond. I am going to begin dictation with him. Finish the emerging readers and begin Rod and Staff 2.
We''ll continue our nature journals and MFW geography work on our 5th day. As an aside, all 3 boys have become quite engaged with journalling! And we have a strong commitment as a family to be well, to be in the Word, and to be creative. It is my prayer that by lingering on the level a little longer that we'll be more earnest in our other pursuits.
With Joy!
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
Florence
My blog: http://florencebrooks.com/
Began HOD 1/2009
Currently using: Bigger, RTR, Rev to Rev and MTMM
Re: Moving to the next level?
Thanks for sharing your plans, Florence! I'm so glad you've decided on this and can now feel a sense of peace the rest of this summer. You have considered each of your dc's needs personally, and it sounds like you have a good plan in place.
In Christ,
Julie
I'm so glad you've decided on this and can now feel a sense of peace the rest of this summer. You have considered each of your dc's needs personally, and it sounds like you have a good plan in place. In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Re: Moving to the next level?
Florence,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your plan! I know you have put much thought into finding the best HOD fit for your kiddos, so I know this will be best for your kiddos.
It is so important to celebrate progress as we see it happen and to make sure not to move ahead too quickly, so as to overwhelm. Your plan sounds balanced!
Blessings,
Carrie
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your plan!
I know you have put much thought into finding the best HOD fit for your kiddos, so I know this will be best for your kiddos. It is so important to celebrate progress as we see it happen and to make sure not to move ahead too quickly, so as to overwhelm. Your plan sounds balanced!
Blessings,
Carrie