Time for beyond

[blessedmommyof4]

Approximately, how much time does Beyond take to complete each day? I have a four year old daughter who will be five in Dec. and a daughter who will be six in August. I am trying to place them in the best levels. I feel like my younger would do well in Little and my older daughter would do well in Beyond. However, I also have a nine year old and a nine month old, so I must be time conscience. How much time does Beyond take to complete daily?

[TrueGRIT]

It took us between an hour and 2 hours. Usually leaning to the lower side.
The only reason it took that long sometimes is because my child couldn't read, and he enjoyed the history so much, he wanted to hear more.
Also he is very artistic and took extra time with art projects, and 'writing'.
That time was also including anything he did on his own.

Maybe someone can help you out a little better.

[raceNzanesmom]

It took us about 2'ish hours. My ds used Beyond for 2nd grade.

[blessedmommyof4]

Thank you. This gives me a good idea about the time. Now, I need advice on another question. I am torn. I feel like my dd who will turn six the beginning of next school year would benefit from light spelling, copywork, and narration. That's why I feel beyond would be a good fit for her. However, I really would like to keep the girls together in content areas as much as possible due to the fact that I have four children who need me. So, would you suggest doing little hearts with both and adding in spelling, copywork and narration with the older? Or, should I separate them and do Beyond with six year old and little with dd who will be 5 in Dec.?

Am I correct that little hearts does not have copywork, spelling, or narration?

[my3sons]

I would combine your two little honeys! I really do think that LHFHG for the two of them would be the way to go. It is a one year sweep of history, and it really helps dc begin to grasp the flow of history well right from the start. It is truly a joy to teach, and our dc loved LHFHG. It is very appropriate for 6 yo dc, as well as 5 yo dc, so combining makes good sense, especially as you have other dc to teach. LHFHG has this rotation of skills in Storytime each week...

*Day 1: basic comprehension discussion questions
*Day 2: retelling the story in a variety of ways
*Day 3: critical thinking questions including some vocabulary discussion
*Day 4: early writing practice emphasizing names and simple words
*Day 5: moral connection questions with personal application

For your older dd, for copywork, I'd just have her write all of the Day 4 writing in LHFHG rather than the single words suggested in the plans. I'd also have her write her Bible verse each week. Finally, I'd choose "A Reason for Handwriting A", as this will have her writing sentences. This will give her copywork 3-4 times a week, and it will let you save the poetry copywork that goes so nicely with the history in Beyond, for when you do Beyond as your core guide.

Beginning oral narration skills are taught already within LHFHG. If your dd is already an emerging reader, you could have her do the Emerging Reader's Set (ERS) included in the Appendix of Beyond. This would be only if she has already had phonics and is reading simple books already. If she is ready for this, the ERS includes narration practice as well. If not, it can be done anytime during Beyond OR during Bigger Hearts, as the ERS is in the Appendix of both of these guides.

You can certainly have older dd do the Spelling List 1 and the LA activities that accompany the list from Beyond. It is key to do the LA plans along with the spelling list, as they are preparing dc for dictation down the road. One of the days would have dd copying 3 of her words in sentences, so there you'd be bringing up her copywork to daily.

HTH! But keep asking questions until you are set!

In Christ,
Julie

[blessedmommyof4]

This has been so helpful! Thank you so much for taking time to reply to me!

[MelInKansas]

I echo what Julie said (she gives great advice so there's no need for me to even add, but here's a couple more thoughts).

Beyond isn't really "light" spelling and copywork. The poems are long, yes you could do just part of them, but my DD was 6.5 when we started Beyond and it was a lot for her. The spelling words start off pretty easy, but by about week 10 they start to get harder quickly. I think it is easier to add in some difficulty for a child in an easier guide than it would be to try to keep up with it if its too challenging. Even though, again, your DD may be ready for some copywork and spelling, Beyond might be too much. Narration - I don't think you need to rush it. My 2nd DD is very good at narration because she has been listening in on her sister's school (the reading I do anyway) since her sister started doing the guides, but she is doing LHFHG and it is good narration practice for her without being too difficult. Also my 2nd I have to say is much more of an auditory learner, so she more easily understands and retains something that is read to her.

I hope this is also helpful to you. It is tough making decisions. Then when you get in and a guide is working really well for your child you are so glad you thought through it and found the right one!