I'm really bummed

[1shortmomof4]

I decided to give Beyond a try just 10 weeks ago for my ds who is in 2nd grade. He has been a struggling reader but finally progress has been made once mommy figured out he's an auditory learner and needed HOP. Well, as I look ahead and plan the budget for next year I'm realizing that he really won't be ready to do the next level as his reading skills won't be there along with some of the other skills I see on the placement chart. I've got 3 boys and they all mature later rather than sooner so I just take my time with them and don't push too much. So once I finish Beyond I'm going to have to take a break and come back to it a year later. Same thing for my youngest ds who is beyond Little Hands but not mature enough for Little Hearts. And then there is my dd who is entering 7th. I know some are considering Preparing but I'm concerned it won't be enough for her. I'm still waiting to see samples to get a better feel. I know the science portion won't be a good fit so that doesn't leave much. I know that I'm going to return to HOD and my youngest boys will definitely benefit but boohoo, I don't want to miss out for a year! Makes me almost want to order the level before Beyond and start over with 2nd grade ds but that wouldn't be wise at this point. Oh well, just had to vent.
Heidi

[blessedmomof4]

I decided to give Beyond a try just 10 weeks ago for my ds who is in 2nd grade. He has been a struggling reader but finally progress has been made once mommy figured out he's an auditory learner and needed HOP. Well, as I look ahead and plan the budget for next year I'm realizing that he really won't be ready to do the next level as his reading skills won't be there along with some of the other skills I see on the placement chart. I've got 3 boys and they all mature later rather than sooner so I just take my time with them and don't push too much. So once I finish Beyond I'm going to have to take a break and come back to it a year later. Same thing for my youngest ds who is beyond Little Hands but not mature enough for Little Hearts. And then there is my dd who is entering 7th. I know some are considering Preparing but I'm concerned it won't be enough for her. I'm still waiting to see samples to get a better feel. I know the science portion won't be a good fit so that doesn't leave much. I know that I'm going to return to HOD and my youngest boys will definitely benefit but boohoo, I don't want to miss out for a year! Makes me almost want to order the level before Beyond and start over with 2nd grade ds but that wouldn't be wise at this point. Oh well, just had to vent.
Heidi

Heidi-children can develop a lot within just 3 to 6 months. Carrie's programs are designed to prepare the child for the next program in the sequence, so I'm just saying that if you see progress in your son in 10 weeks, you may be surprised how much progress there is in 10 more weeks. He will probably be very ready to advance to Bigger once he completes Beyond.
As for the younger child, you could always start with Little Hands anyway, until he matures, or, start Little Hearts and move slowly, like 3 times a week, or one page a day. (((hugs)))
For the oldest, there is plenty in Preparing, and I know there was another thread around here where Carrie made suggestions for "beefing up" the program for an advanced, older student. Maybe she'll come on and point you to it!

[inHistiming]

Have you thought about continuing with Beyond...but maybe taking it slower? That way you would not have to 'miss' a year, and by the time you do finish he may be ready for Bigger. I know there are several ladies using various programs at various rates, so hopefully they will give their suggestions here. My dd was a struggling reader and this is our second year with Beyond...although we are not utilizing all of it right now. The parts we are using are working great and she loves it. I'm actually considering switching her over completely to BLHFHG, and doing it double-time to complete by the end of the year. Anyway, I just wanted to offer that as a possible solution, and I know you'll get some other encouragement here.

[my3sons]

Heidi-children can develop a lot within just 3 to 6 months. Carrie's programs are designed to prepare the child for the next program in the sequence, so I'm just saying that if you see progress in your son in 10 weeks, you may be surprised how much progress there is in 10 more weeks. He will probably be very ready to advance to Bigger once he completes Beyond.
As for the younger child, you could always start with Little Hands anyway, until he matures, or, start Little Hands and move slowly, like 3 times a week, or one page a day. (((hugs)))
For the oldest, there is plenty in Preparing, and I know there was another thread around here where Carrie made suggestions for "beefing up" the program for an advanced, older student. Maybe she'll come on and point you to it!

Lourdes always has wonderful advice I find myself agreeing with wholeheartedly! I also think that you may be surprised about how far they may progress. I wasn't sure my ds would be ready for Bigger this year, and by the time we started, he was! I will say it took him about a month to really get into the flow of it, and then it was smooth sailing!

Also, why not just do them at half-speed? Doing one side of the plans one day, and the other side the next day. Or, just do the plans 4 days a week - I did that last year and loved it! Just a few ideas - plus, selfishly, I still want to get to chat with you here on the board!!! You wouldn't be going away for a year - would you?!?

In Christ,
Julie

P.S. InHisTiming - How funny we were typing the same time, with about the same advice! I do believe that was truly "In His Timing"!!!

[inHistiming]

He has impeccable timing!

[1shortmomof4]

Boy, I am somewhat embarassed by my lack of memory, lack of what I don't know - I had asked the question already about Preparing and my 7th grade dd and had received wise counsel and yet, I needed to be reminded (by that little voice in my head) to take a second look at that initial response from Carrie. She said something that I finally realized and accepted to be me. It was about what kind of educator you are/your philosophy, style:

Carrie wrote "For a CM-style educator, Preparing... would probably feel like enough in the area of history with its judicious selection of books read slowly over time, its emphasis on narrating (both oral and written), notebooking, Bible study, and basic introduction to research. For a textbook-style educator or a classical educator with emphasis on volume of material read and on answering questions, writing essays, outlining, and researching it would not be enough."

And you know what, the light-bulb moment hit me. I am a CM-style mom. I want them to enjoy, learn and want to seek more - not feel overwhelmed, burdened and hating school life. I want them to enjoy learning now so that they will always enjoy learning in life no matter where their journey takes them. I must admit that I wish I could have learned the way my kids are now experiencing. Accepting who they are, what they can do and to watch them grow in maturity, knowledge and most importantly spiritually. I'm going to just set my pencil down, stop looking for answers elsewhere and just budget for Preparing for my dd and when the time is ready, we'll begin the next level (is that Bigger) once Beyond is over. Ahhhh, it feels wonderful to have a burden lifted off my shoulders.
Heidi
And a great big hug of heartfelt THANK YOU!!!! to each of you. You are wise counsel to those in need.

[water2wine]

Yeah! That is great. You know what I am not a 100% CM mom (although we do have fun ) and I still think it is enough. My adding things honestly is not thinking that we are missing anything it is just that some is fun and more is more fun . But honestly the CM stuff in HOD is still like a mind vamp for me. I like CM but on my own I could never pull it off.

I am so glad you feel peace!!! You can't go wrong honestly. You are talking great or excellent here I think. But it is wonderful to be settled. Congrats!

[Carrie]

Heidi,

I just wanted to encourage you that your kiddos may certainly surprise you and be more ready than you think when you get to "Bigger..". Also, you could always take it at half-speed if needed giving your little guys a chance to grow into it! I think staying within the same program if at all possible gives the kiddos continuity and allows the time needed for learning to be built in layers over time.

Your realization of what kind of a family philosophy you have about learning is so important. It is what makes a curriculum feel like a "fit" to each family. I wanted to wait to weigh-in until the other ladies had given you their counsel, as of course, I would love you to continue on with HOD, but I am very biased!

I am very glad that you have a sense of peace over your decision. That is what I seek when making curriculum decisions, as I know that comes from the Father above when I have been in prayer over it.

Blessings,
Carrie