looking for thread and cant find it.....JULIE?? :)

[Mom2Monkeys]

It's one where Julie addressed how to determine.if you should do full speed lower level or go ahead with half speed next level. Trying to decide on BHFHG or half speed (at first) PHFHG for my 8/9yo to start soon.

[my3sons]

Is this the one you were thinking of?

When to Drop Back a Guide and When to Go Half-Speed:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9000&p=65878#p65878

HTH, Tamara!

In Christ,
Julie

[Mom2Monkeys]

Is this the one you were thinking of?

When to Drop Back a Guide and When to Go Half-Speed:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9000&p=65878#p65878

HTH, Tamara!

In Christ,
Julie

That's the one! Now to dig into it and make some decisions Thanks!

[abrightmom]

Tamara,

That is a great thread and Julie's advice is super helpful. I started my oldest son (he was almost 9 and a 3rd grader) with Preparing half speed. After completing the first Unit (he LOVED the work) I decided to move him back to Bigger full speed. It was a very good decision because the guide still challenged him in all skill areas (listening, comprehension, narration, notebooking, etc.) but it was more doable time wise for me as a Mom of 4 with health struggles and for him as a student (slower worker though VERY smart). He has really loved the work in Bigger and though we will not complete this guide (it's a long story) and we've not used it in the way HOD would recommend as being ideal (again, a long story) it has been wonderful for my son. If we are able to stay with HOD (not decided yet) then I look forward to him being able to use Preparing as written and full speed. Bigger most definitely lays nice ground work for Preparing.

Your experience may vary and half speed Preparing may be just what your kiddo needs and will thrive with. However, I wanted to share our experience with you.

[Mom2Monkeys]

Tamara,

That is a great thread and Julie's advice is super helpful. I started my oldest son (he was almost 9 and a 3rd grader) with Preparing half speed. After completing the first Unit (he LOVED the work) I decided to move him back to Bigger full speed. It was a very good decision because the guide still challenged him in all skill areas (listening, comprehension, narration, notebooking, etc.) but it was more doable time wise for me as a Mom of 4 with health struggles and for him as a student (slower worker though VERY smart). He has really loved the work in Bigger and though we will not complete this guide (it's a long story) and we've not used it in the way HOD would recommend as being ideal (again, a long story) it has been wonderful for my son. If we are able to stay with HOD (not decided yet) then I look forward to him being able to use Preparing as written and full speed. Bigger most definitely lays nice ground work for Preparing.

Your experience may vary and half speed Preparing may be just what your kiddo needs and will thrive with. However, I wanted to share our experience with you.

Thanks for sharing about your son! My son is begging to do Preparing, and I know academically he is solidly ready for it. I do think the heart issues and time management skills are the main issue. He's slower to do the work, and already did half of Bigger tweaked so very slightly (I shared the writing burden with him) almost a year ago. He did a day of PHFHG with his sister several months ago and fell in love...LOVES Preparing! He did all the independent work himself and really got into it..did well with Draw and Write drawing, and needed just a little help with the science reading....he has now improved 3 grade levels in reading since then . That's part of why I'm sooooooo torn. He can write and draw all day long just fine unless it's for school...then he can't do more than a few sentences. He has also already done most of Cheerful Cursive. He still "acts" like he can't write in cursive, and still "acts" like he can't do much...he's lazy in most every other area as well (CHORES!) unless it's his idea. When I tell him what to do and when, it's slllllooooooowwww and poorly done. If I say find 10 things that need doing and do them ....he can amaze me! He's like that with everything pretty much. He's so capable. And I'm familiar with both levels having done them, and knowing him...I know he'd perform better in PHFHG, but I'm not wanting to miss out on any foundational skills. We've intentionally practiced certain skill areas, just not formally in an HOD guide. So, he's not new to the methods. Decisions, decisions!