Bigger with 5th grader post...link and advice please!

[Mom2Monkeys]

Looking for a post I think I remember seeing discussing BHFHG with 5th grader. Can someone offer advice or link me to it please?

[ktwensel]

I think this is the post you are referring to.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7895&p=58349&hilit=5th+grade#p57498

BTW, I am using Bigger with extentions with a 5th grader. I had concerns if it was challenging enough for her. I wanted to keep her and her brother together and they had limited American History, so those were my reasons for putting her in Bigger. She is more than capable of handling Preparing (from what the placement chart indicates and what others have referenced here). She has trouble working independently also, so Preparing with gradually help her with this.

[Mom2Monkeys]

Yes! That was it Thanks!

My will-be 5th grader places into PHFHG, but my will-be 2nd grader places borderline into BHFHG right now...still quite a few months away from fall. And he's making steady forward progress. I'm contemplating combining them even though we did a portion of BHFHG with my oldest then dropped it to move into PHFHG 1/2 to give a change of pace and more challenge and independence since we'd been going so super slowly through American history for years due to "life" coming up and slowing down school. We both needed the change! We only got 4 units into PHFHG when DH decided we needed to put them in public school for this semester. Now, I'm trying to decide what to do about this fall when they come back. I have to be realistic about my time constraints, my 4/5yo's needs and my 1/2yo's demands , and if my almost 8yo will be able to handle BHFHG along with DD who will be 10. I don't want to be doing 4 guides in the next couple or three years.

I need to know if I should add in writing?? We will be doing R&S 4 grammar, Math Mammoth 4, and she'll be finishing up dictation 2 (? it's the first dictation level in PHFHG) and moving into the next level. How do I make this work if I decided to combine a 2nd and 5th grader?

[my3sons]

Tamara - I saw your other post and answered there - just saw that one, so I was late to the chat, but I think you've come around to a good idea of combining your older 2 dc, and now your oldest can do the extensions if you want too. I would say that knowing how busy life can get, and also knowing you have some special things to consider (just moved, dc transitioning back to homeschooling, dh at a new job, busy busy toddler ds in the mix, demands of baby waking up in middle of night, etc.) I think you are one very wise mama to consider combining your oldest 2 dc, and yes - I think 4 programs right now would be too much. Specifically looking at the area of writing for your dd, I think in lieu of adding a writing program, I'd have her do the follow-ups to the BHFHG extensions. This will have her working on LA CM style skills in a way that is independent, so she will be growing in those LA skills, but it won't be adding another thing for you to teach to the day. If you were not doing R & S English, I'd be inclined to add more writing, but that along with extension follow-ups (and the rest of the writing embedded in other BHFHG's subject areas - such as notebooking, copywork, 4/5 DITHOR, etc.) will be enough. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Mom2Monkeys]

Tamara - I saw your other post and answered there - just saw that one, so I was late to the chat, but I think you've come around to a good idea of combining your older 2 dc, and now your oldest can do the extensions if you want too. I would say that knowing how busy life can get, and also knowing you have some special things to consider (just moved, dc transitioning back to homeschooling, dh at a new job, busy busy toddler ds in the mix, demands of baby waking up in middle of night, etc.) I think you are one very wise mama to consider combining your oldest 2 dc, and yes - I think 4 programs right now would be too much. Specifically looking at the area of writing for your dd, I think in lieu of adding a writing program, I'd have her do the follow-ups to the BHFHG extensions. This will have her working on LA CM style skills in a way that is independent, so she will be growing in those LA skills, but it won't be adding another thing for you to teach to the day. If you were not doing R & S English, I'd be inclined to add more writing, but that along with extension follow-ups (and the rest of the writing embedded in other BHFHG's subject areas - such as notebooking, copywork, 4/5 DITHOR, etc.) will be enough. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

That's excellent, Julie! And thank you for your kind words I'll have to dig into my Bigger guide and see how those follow-ups are planned out. I like not having to add anything not already in the guide! What about a 6th grader in Preparing?? Would I be okay there with just the poetry based writing and R&S 5 then? Sorry...I have an obsessive need to KNOW...just gotta know where we are headed since I'm a "big picture" kind of gal! I SO appreciate all your help!

Now to build up some of those BeyondLH skills in DS before we jump into Bigger this fall! How exciting!!! Love to have a plan.... OH! And a developmental therapist is coming to eval my youngest tomorrow. She's going to help with not only his communication skills which are lacking quite a bit (backtracked and doesn't even say mama or dada...not even a babble!), but she also deals with sleep issues!!! So perhaps I'll be getting some sleep soon! After 15 months of waking with him like he's a newborn every. single. night. I am just thrilled to have some help coming! So sweet that you remembered so much of our "special season" of life

[my3sons]

Well I've committed to praying for you my dear, so yes, even I - with my sometimes fading memory abilities - do then remember! I am so glad you are getting some help in the baby department. Been there. Done that. And help is a wonderful thing.

Back to the writing - the demands in R & S English 5 as far as writing go are pretty solid, and that along with PHFHG's creative writing could be enough. I am thinking that you could do that, but then possibly add either Igniting Your Writing at that point, or begin Write with the Best along with CTC's writing plans, and just spread WWTB out over 2 years, if you felt more was needed. You'll know best though!
In Christ,
Julie

[Mom2Monkeys]

Well I've committed to praying for you my dear, so yes, even I - with my sometimes fading memory abilities - do then remember!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you so very much! It is wonderful to know someone is praying for me. I love being a part of HOD and this board!

[Mom2Monkeys]

What about the science experiment sheets? Notebooking is fine, but should I do anything differently for lab sheets?

I just have to say how excited I am to be combining!! So glad it's working out that way. No idea that one decision would alleviate so much stress! I am all excited for the first guide of the day, then LHTH goes well since it's short and sweet, but by the last guide Im ready to just get done and tend to skimp. Tough season for me, not saying it's too hard to do multiple guides at all! The guilt I've had of short changing one of my DC is over plus we are getting some answers about DS 15months sleep issues and lack of communication. What an answer to prayer! We are looking at up to 5 daily one hour sessions per week of in home therapy . This will be a huge help in so many ways, including time to get some school done!! after such a tough year or two, I am so happy to finally be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and am ready to get off this "trying times train". Lol Sorry to babble on and on...just very excited!!

[Mom2Monkeys]

Where might I find the follow-up extension assignments in the Bigger guide. I can't find that info anywhere! Just trying to get a grasp on the whole thing. Those follow ups and wether I need to make any adjustments to the lab reports for a 5th grader are only things I'm still working on figuring out! Love this plan and so do they