Bigger VS Preparing

[SCStxRN]

I'm struggling with placement:

My 10 year old reads on an end of 3rd/Beginning of 4th grade level. He loves all things science, but our latest fascination is weather and land - earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.. and we'll probably supplement with our current science curriculum, regardless. His spelling is horrible. I don't know where he compares to public school kids, because many adults I work with also have horrible spelling.. but it's bad. We're sticking with our current curriculum in Math, so it's a non-issue. He can write a three or four sentence paragraph with decent punctuation and thought flow, he can copy selections accurately with decent handwriting but his cursive still needs practice, and he makes up good stories but will not put them on paper.

I'm looking at Bigger for the US history content (he's had a lot of world, a little geography, but no US past 1800), but I don't want him to fall further behind in writing.
1. Could I use R&S 3 or 4 with Bigger, or would that mess up the program?
2. I'm planning to use DITHOR, so reading should progress or at least not fall behind, yes?
2a. Would you recommend 2/3 with 3rd level books or 4/5 with 4th level books?
3. Does R&S cover enough writing, or should I plan to supplement to help him grow?

4. Is there a better idea? Would it be more effective to do Preparing and cover US history (somehow) at the same time?

[my3sons]

I'm struggling with placement:

My 10 year old reads on an end of 3rd/Beginning of 4th grade level. He loves all things science, but our latest fascination is weather and land - earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.. and we'll probably supplement with our current science curriculum, regardless. His spelling is horrible. I don't know where he compares to public school kids, because many adults I work with also have horrible spelling.. but it's bad. We're sticking with our current curriculum in Math, so it's a non-issue. He can write a three or four sentence paragraph with decent punctuation and thought flow, he can copy selections accurately with decent handwriting but his cursive still needs practice, and he makes up good stories but will not put them on paper.

I'm looking at Bigger for the US history content (he's had a lot of world, a little geography, but no US past 1800), but I don't want him to fall further behind in writing.
1. Could I use R&S 3 or 4 with Bigger, or would that mess up the program?
2. I'm planning to use DITHOR, so reading should progress or at least not fall behind, yes?
2a. Would you recommend 2/3 with 3rd level books or 4/5 with 4th level books?
3. Does R&S cover enough writing, or should I plan to supplement to help him grow?

4. Is there a better idea? Would it be more effective to do Preparing and cover US history (somehow) at the same time?

Hi SCStxRN, and thanks for sharing about your ds! When placing your ds in HOD, it's a good idea to try to remove the history period from the decision (as it will all come around again anyway), and try to choose based on the skills required for dc to be able to do each guide. This will help dc flourish and grow each year, enjoying the journey as they move through the guides. So, in answer to your questions...
1. Yes, he can easily use R & S English 3 or 4 with Bigger, doing a lesson each day. If he has not had diagramming or a year of formal grammar, I'd do R & S English 3. Dc should finish R & S English 6 by the end of Grade 8, as R & S English 7 and 8 are high school credit worthy. So, doing R & S English 3 this year would be fine.
2. DITHOR is an outstanding reading program, and ds's reading should progress nicely. We have loved DITHOR for many, many years here. I am glad you and your ds will get to enjoy it too!
3. I'd probably have ds do Student Book 2/3 with the DITHOR Teacher's Guide's 2/3 plans, as it will be less writing and ds can focus on the reading too. With DITHOR, you can use any books. So, just because he is doing Level 2/3 Student Book and Level 2/3 Teacher plans in the green guide, that doesn't mean he needs to use the Level 2 or the Level 3 Book Pack. He can use any level of books you feel fits him best. I'd shoot for what he can read fairly well and what he would enjoy the most, as the challenge will be enough in the DITHOR plans to help him grow. The Level 2 Book Pack has reading levels from third grade (3.0) to fourth grade, first month (4.1). The Level 3 Book Pack has reading levels from third grade, fifth month (3.5) to fifth grade, first month (5.1). Here is a link to those packages so you can see which may fit him better...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-optional.php
4. I think that the Bigger Hearts guide activities along with the DITHOR plans, the R & S English plans, the dictation, copywork, narrations - will be enough LA for this year. By focusing on doing the Bigger Hearts guide plans well consistently and completely, you will do more to help ds improve in the areas you want him too than you would by adding more writing to the day. Quality over quantity - I think this will be the recipe for success!

When choosing between Bigger Hearts and PHFHG, writing is an important consideration. Here is a post that will help you see which guide fits ds best in the writing department...
Amount of writing in Bigger vs. PHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

PHFHG also has dc reading their own science and a portion of their own history. It is important dc do this part of the reading independently when they do PHFHG, as this provides important training for each subsequent guide (and the readings get harder and longer). I'd not do PHFHG if ds is not 100% ready to take on that reading independently.

I am thinking from what you've shared that ds would place nicely in Bigger Hearts, but you will know best after considering the reading and writing skills. I think Bigger Hearts is such a great guide - we have many, many favorites from that guide. That guide is also one of my favorite 'helps' in teaching. It is clear, incredibly helpful to ME as a teacher, and it is one of my most important teaching years. The teaching time is more in Bigger Hearts than in PHFHG, but it is time incredibly well spent. Bigger Hearts is one of the biggest 'growth' years for our dc. We lay the groundwork for all the guides to follow, and then we reap the rewards of that for years to come. I hope something here has helped, but keep asking questions until you are set! We love HOD, and have used it for 10 years and counting now. I am excited for you to begin loving it too!

In Christ,
Julie