Preparing or Bigger?

[Starla]

Hi! I'm new here and am having a hard time trying to decide which program to put my boys in for school in August. I keep going back and forth in my mind between Bigger and Preparing and could use some more input. I've spent a lot of time reading over the info in these boards already which has helped a lot and right now to be honest, I'm leaning towards Preparing, but still don't know if that's best for our situation or not. Our two boys are only 15 months apart, and they are basically on the same level scholastically, (both have finished school this summer at a third grade level - although officially they are going to be in 3rd and 4th this coming school year.) Their math will be 4th and 5th grade. I already had bought a hands on science program for next year before I even had heard of Heart of Dakota, so think I'll stick with that for the science part of things.

They are great readers, are writing sentences in cursive, and spelling is good. They've also covered the basic parts of grammar and I think would be ready for diagramming. (Therefore, the pull towards Preparing)
They haven't studied CM styles, never have done narration, or used skills like Drawn into the Heart of reading would entail. They have a hard time putting their thoughts on paper. (Therefore, the pull towards Bigger)

So....the question is: How do I challenge them in their learning, without overwhelming them to frustration? I'm afraid they may be a bit "bored" or not challenged enough in Bigger, (even looking at the examples of dictation at the beginning level is not enough), and yet maybe just because of learning differently than they've done before, Prepared may be too much. Any thoughts out there, would be greatly appreciated. (Could I just ease them into Preparing...taking more time on parts that they have never done before?)

One more question... Are the dictation passages that are in Preparing available without buying the book? Maybe I could just give them dictation from some of the extension books they are reading (if I end up doing Bigger)
Thank you for your help with this!

[pjdobro]

With what you've shared here, I would learn toward Preparing and just starting it more slowly to allow you and your dc to get the hang of the CM way of doing things. It sounds like in writing, reading, grammar, and math they are placing in Preparing. Those are the boxes on the first box of the placement chart and the ones that are usually weighted the most. R&S3 will really help them learn step by step how to write a good paragraph and describe people, places, etc. The step by step written narration in the guide will help guide them in writing their thoughts as well. You could consider starting with DITHOR level 2/3 instead of 4/5 to help ease them into the deeper thinking of literature analysis. The instructions for narrating are in the appendix of Preparing so you'll be able to guide them through this skill.

The dictation passages aren't available separately. Bigger contains level 2 dictation and Preparing contains levels 2, 3, and 4. They are taken from Dictation Day by Day by Kate Van Wagenen though I think Carrie has chosen carefully which of them to include. You could use dictation passages from something that you are reading like your history, however, it would be much more difficult to get that steady progression of skills that you get when using the prepared dictation.

I think you'll find that the skills they need for Preparing will be addressed in the guide so as long as you ease into it, I think you'll be fine.

[Starla]

Wow! Thank you for surprising me with such a quick response. Maybe I just needed a little encouragement to step ahead with Preparing. I've spent the last few months internet searching, trying to decide what God wants us to do for the next year. Nothing seemed to be a good fit, then learned about HOD. This will be such a different way of learning for my boys, but I'm so excited about it. My second boy is such a hands on learner, and I wasn't able to provide that for him last year, as we were very suddenly literally launched into the world of homeschooling. They were going to a Christian school like normal one day, and the next, the school was no longer in session. Five days later I was homeschooling not sure if we could do it or not. Homeschooling for me has been like "stepping off the edge of a cliff, but then realizing that God has indeed given the wings to fly."

So having said all that, my main concern with Preparing is for them to learn to put their thoughts down on paper and the narration part. If I take it slow and easy like you said, then they can gradually learn. The style of learning will be completely different for them, but they have already expressed excitement as I've shown them pictures of some of the history activities. So guess it's about time to actually take that leap and place an order. Thanks for your help in this!!!

[pjdobro]

Homeschooling for me has been like "stepping off the edge of a cliff, but then realizing that God has indeed given the wings to fly."

I think you'll find that HOD will really help with the flying. There are so many wonderful books and activities in the guides that your dc are going to love, and you are going to love how easy it is to teach. As you can see by signature, we haven't done Preparing yet, but I have read nothing but wonderful things about it. We'll be joining you in it this fall. The books look stellar, and I've seen some of the projects and they are awesome. I think it will be a great year.

I pray that I've steered you in the right direction. I really think given the basic skills your boys have they seem like they are ready for Preparing. They don't sound too much different than my two except we've been doing narrating for a couple of years. It's still a work in progress though. I don't think it is a skill that dc have to have mastered by this point. One thing I've learned from reading CM and just watching my own dc is that narration is a skill that comes naturally if we impress upon our dc to listen attentively and then encourage them to share without interrupting. Julie has taught me ways to compliment my dc and critique them to improve their narrations. I continue to learn more and more through this board. I just share that to encourage you that your dc will pick up on narration, and it doesn't have to be perfect. You'll learn along the way and the guide and this board will help you. Many days I feel like I'm getting more of the education than my dc! I know that isn't really the case, but my teaching skills are a work in progress and they are honed daily through this board and the guide. Welcome to HOD!