Questions on placement of 3rd and 1st graders

[mj7477]

I'm new here and just have a question on where to place my boys for the next year. My oldest just turned 8 this month and is in 2nd grade. My next ds is in 1st grade and is 6, he will turn 7 at the very end of April. I'm thinking about keeping him in 1st grade, just because he has a later birthday, is a small boy in stuture, and sine we think we might put the boys in ps someday, We don't want him to be the youngest, smallest boy in class. And we realized that alot of people are holding their kids with April, May, etc. birthdays. He's doing okay academically, but he's a piddler and day dreamer and gets off task easily. Anyway on to my question.....

My oldest, I think, would be ready for Bigger, but ds2 would not be ready for it. I would like to keep them together, if I could, since they are so close in age. On the other hand I'm afraid Beyond would not be enough for ds1.

Up until now, we have mostly just worked on phonics and math. We haven't done much with other subjects.

I also have a 4 yr. old ds who will turn 5 in May and a 2 yr. ds. So they come into the mix somewhat as well.

So I guess my question whether to do Beyond or Bigger with these guys?
Thanks for any thoughts,
Jaci

[blessedmomof4]

If you are intent on combining, Beyond could work for your older two. You would want to use a higher level math for the oldest child (the Singapore Math website has free placement tests to help you choose), and perhaps add Rod and Staff English 2 at a pace of one lesson per day, done mostly orally. If your oldest places higher than Singapore 1B for math, you can add the Bigger Hearts guide to use the wonderful daily hands-on math lessons written in for Singapore 2A/2B. Beyond has daily hands-on lessons for Singapore 1A/1B, which is usually started at age 7 in Singapore. Depending on where they are in reading, you would either continue phonics or add the Emerging Readers. If your oldest is already a strong reader, he could use DITHOR 2/3 instead of the phonics or Emerging Readers. The younger two could do Little Hands to Heaven, with the youngest just joining along on activities that he can do, and with you expecting more from the 4 year old. Since he will be turning 5, if he truly needs more than what is in Little Hands, you can add in the K options from Little Hearts and phonics like The Reading Lesson.

[tnahid]

I think Beyond would be a great fit for you. I use it with my 7 and just turned 10 year old sons. It has been great.

[arstephia]

I second using Beyond. My friend is using Beyond with her 2nd and 4th grader and they are loving it. She just has her 4th grader using the next level English and Math.

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board, and I think you've been given excellent advice here! The details of blessedmomof4's post were exactly what I was going to type here. I agree with all she said, and I think this would give you an excellent plan for all of your dc. Your dc will be challenged by the addition of history and these following skill-based activities that are linked with the history theme:
poetry, art activity, geography exploration, timeline, history activities, and science discovery
The Bible Memory work and Bible study (which includes these skills and is linked with a Devotional and Corresponding Music) will also add a new dimension of deep learning to your day:
*Day 1: introduction and interpretation of the memory verse
*Day 2: personal application of the memory verse
*Day 3: observation of Godly character through devotional reading
*Day 4: practical application of the devotional character trait
*Day 5: exploration of a Bible passage focusing on Godly living

Copywork, 1 x a week grammar, a choice of 2 spelling lists and linked LA activities, Emerging Reader's books, and Storytime will be excellent additions too. Also, here are the skills taught in Storytime:
*Day 1: introduce and study different types of literature
*Day 2: model narration to foster comprehension
*Day 3: identify and analyze a different story element for each genre
*Day 4: relate personally to one Godly character trait, compare
Biblical and book characters, and select one area to improve
*Day 5: practice narration by retelling the story in a variety of ways

The math activities HOD writes are wonderful, so that will be something to take advantage of too. I think all of this will additional skill work and subject matter will challenge your just turned 8 yo enough, while still being appropriate for your 7 yo to grow into. You can easily do a different level of math or grammar if that suits your 8 yo better. HTH - We loved Beyond Little Hearts - I am so glad your dc will get to enjoy it, and LHTH is just plain fun and a super way to get kids to love homeschooling right from the start!

In Christ,
Julie