Need help choosing

[sted]

Okay, I'm really divided with my curriculum choices. My oldest will be doing CTC. My second oldest (will be 10 in Oct.) has currently been doing Beyond History(with her younger sister, 7) and Bigger Science. She's halfway through R&S 3. I originally started her with the oldest this year in Bigger but my oldest is far more advanced and it was holding her back waiting for her middle sister who has some learning disabilities. Now the logical thing would be to place the 10 and 7 year old in Bigger next year, perhaps using Preparing Science. However, the goal for the middle child is to become more independent. She can't get alot done unless I am sitting beside her for almost every academic subject (except reading). I'd love to keep the middle two together but really feel I need to push my second oldest to more independence. I'm thinking of doing Preparing at half-speed for two years instead of Bigger and Preparing. I'd do the left-side one day, the right-side the next.

Of course I wouldn't expect my 7 year old to do everything but she's very keen academically so could definately do a fair bit. Am I crazy? Preparing I feel will give Independent assignments on both sides (INdependent History and Science) and more writing practice which is what my daughter needs the most help with. She is a bit weak on oral narration however so maybe I'm jumping the gun. I guess if the content is over her head however, she may be more frustrated.

I've also just finished Bigger this year so I'm not so gun-ho to repeat it already. Also, while I have the Bigger extension books, I think they'd be too hard for my 10 year old to read independantly at this point so that option it out. Help! Confused!

Thanks for the help,
Shannon

[Carrie]

Shannon,

I can understand your dilemma and am thinking through a few options. I wouldn't place a 7 year old within Preparing Hearts, as the recommended age range is ages 8-10 with extensions for ages 11-12. Also, the jump from Beyond to Preparing Hearts would be too huge.

So, I'd plan on moving your 7 year old into Bigger Hearts (possibly at half-speed if desired). Then, as far as your will be 10 year old, I think I'd lean toward moving her into Preparing Hearts and doing the Deluxe Package with her. I'd also lean toward placing your older child in Preparing Hearts with the 10 year old and having the older one do the Extensions. You'd obviously have to raise the level of the 3R's and perhaps the science for your older child in this scenario.

If, instead, you definitely feel that your oldest should do CTC, then I would lean toward placing both your 7 and 10 year olds within Bigger Hearts.

Blessings,
Carrie

[sted]

Thanks for your help and patience, Carrie. My other thought is taking a year and doing Canadian History with the 7 and 10 year olds HOD style. I'd do the other aspects of Bigger but substitue the History with a CM type of book called My First Candian History by Donald Dickie written for younger children. THe only thing I'd really miss out on is having the hands-on activities planned out so well like you have in Bigger. But Am. and Canadian history definately have lots of similarities so I'll see what I can do.

God Bless, love your curriculum,
Shannon