Narration Questions - Carrie, can you advise me?

[abrightmom]

Thank-you in advance.

My 3rd grader is wrapping up the first unit of Preparing. We are half speed right now. He places in either Bigger or Preparing. For a variety of reasons we decided to go with PHFHG half speed, moving up to full speed when the time is right for him.

He is NOT a natural narrator. Narration doesn't come easily for him unless it's instigated by him (i.e. Mom, did you know that..... when he's reading on his own).

Does Bigger zero in on oral narration skills? My son CAN do the physical writing but I am beginning to wonder IF extensive practice in oral narration would lay a better foundation for the written narration. There is no harm in using Bigger other than the disappointment in dropping what we are doing (which he is truly enjoying). I've been slightly concerned that Bigger won't stretch him enough. But, if it will build oral narration skills and better prepare him for Preparing I will reconsider.

He is also a slow worker. He is smart and very capable. He has a good attitude most of the time (praise the Lord). But everything just takes him a long time. I am trying to imagine moving up to full speed. If he was 100% on task with no distractions we could do it. But we have four young children and a rambunctious, disruptive toddler. It does present challenges to him and the disruption does slow him down. These realities cause me to ponder going back to Bigger full speed (with extensions). I don't want to shy away from an appropriate challenge though and I know his speed will improve. It's just those pesky narrations.... it's a foundational skill that we haven't worked on consistently. He is new to HOD this year...

My youngers are using LHFHG and it's going very well. The decision to start Preparing was due in part to my 7 year old starting Beyond and wanting some space in between guides. Now that we are using LHFHG instead of Beyond, and it is going well, we could go back to Bigger and still have that space between guides.

[tnahid]

I look forward to hearing this answer as well. My son sounds much like yours. He can narrate something that he has been reading independently MUCH better than when he is asked on the spot after an oral reading. Hmmm? Not sure, but can't wait to read the replies.

[tnahid]

P.S. My 8 year old is in Bigger as well as my 10 year old. My 10 year old uses extensions. I think Bigger is quite meaty enough for your 8 year old. My 8 year old is pretty advanced academically for his age and has good cognitive/academic skills, and he REALLY loves Bigger. It is enough even for my 10 year old son as well, with extensions. Although my oldest isn't the "academic" type of learner per se, he really enjoys HOD. Just my thoughts!

[Mom2Monkeys]

My almost 8yo and 10yo are also both in BHFHG...older with extesions. It will DEFINITELY lay the groundwork for oral narration, hence prepping him so very well for the written narrations beginning in PHFHG. My 10yo is a 5th grader, and I find it plenty meaty (except having to up her basics like math/grammar and of course, the extensions she reads independently). I really think of BHFHG as a 3rd grade program as-is. I think many moms do, and it's a solid 3rd grade program that is a very important level within the HOD guides b/c of the essential skills being focused on in that level. So, not saying switching to BHFHG is the answer, but yes, it would really help you and your son get those narration skills pegged.

[Carrie]

abrightmom,

It can be a challenge to find the right fit for our kiddos, and there are many skills and considerations to weigh in correct placement. A few things in your post stood out to me that I typically would say are indicators in helping find correct placement.

Does Bigger zero in on oral narration skills? My son CAN do the physical writing but I am beginning to wonder IF extensive practice in oral narration would lay a better foundation for the written narration.

It is true that Bigger Hearts does a great job of laying a strong foundation in oral narration skills, and CM would say that strong oral narration skills are a needed prerequisite to writing written narrations. I would agree. Even kiddos who come to a CM education much later in life need to first develop good oral narration skills prior to being able to truly write a great CM-style written narration (which differs quite a bit from simply writing a summary). Children who haven't had much of a foundation in oral narration often downshift to writing a summary instead of a true written narration (in which the child borrows words and phrasing from the author to retell the reading in the style of the author).

There are also many other foundational skills that are developed in Bigger Hearts that are so helpful in Preparing Hearts and the guides to come. If a child is on the borderline between the two programs, I will often encourage the parent to do Bigger Hearts. This is simply due to the huge amount of foundational skills contained within that guide. It is an important teaching year in the HOD line-up and can only be skipped if the child is truly ready to take on all of the skills listed on the first page of the placement chart for Preparing.

He is also a slow worker. He is smart and very capable. He has a good attitude most of the time (praise the Lord). But everything just takes him a long time. I am trying to imagine moving up to full speed.

Another indicator for correct placement is work speed and ease of completion of work. If a child is a slow worker by nature, then it is almost always better to place that child in a more manageable guide workload-wise for the long haul. Our guides are very meaty, so meaty in fact that we have many highschoolers doing our guides from CTC on up. With this in mind, your child will still be challenged content-wise with the material in Bigger but will also have a bit lighter writing load to allow for work in other needed skill areas as well. Placing a slower working child in a more challenging guide just because he can handle the content isn't always a good choice, because if the activities take all day the love of learning and enthusiasm for the work will be lost (and you will find yourself either pushing the child to complete the daily tasks or downsizing the tasks... thus losing the rigor of the program).

I would lean toward placing your son in Bigger Hearts. If he is a slower worker, I would weigh whether the extensions are needed. I think as you make your way through Bigger, you will be amazed at the progress and growth your child will show. By the time, you head back into Preparing Hearts, your child will be well prepared for what is being asked of him and full-speed won't look daunting anymore! Full-speed Bigger Hearts is actually more rigorous than half-speed Preparing Hearts.

My own very academically strong son is at the middle age range of all of our guides. He completely thrives each year, and yet has time to do the activities up to the hilt. His placement hasn't held him back in any way, and he loves his school each and every year. While he could definitely fit skill-wise in the youngest age range for every guide, I love having him in the middle range instead. He seems to make so many connections and take so much to heart! I know children are all different, and you will know your child far better than me. I just wanted to share a couple of things that stood out to me in what you've shared so far.

Blessings,
Carrie

[abrightmom]

Dear Carrie and ladies,

Thank-you for your encouragements and counsel! I attempted to pull out the points in Carrie's reply that stand out to me. I didn't quote the portion on narration because all of it makes sense and it confirms what I'm seeing with my big guy! He DOES need more work on oral narration.

Placing a slower working child in a more challenging guide just because he can handle the content isn't always a good choice, because if the activities take all day the love of learning and enthusiasm for the work will be lost (and you will find yourself either pushing the child to complete the daily tasks or downsizing the tasks... thus losing the rigor of the program).

Yes, yes, yes! You have put words to the thoughts in my mind and heart for this boy. Our relationship is tenuous...he's an interesting boy and I want him to be successful each day. I don't want him to feel, in any way, like he is failing unless he's making deliberate choices. Working slow is just who he is but he feels like a failure when he's working hard and just not reaching that finish line.

I would lean toward placing your son in Bigger Hearts.

I agree wholeheartedly.

If he is a slower worker, I would weigh whether the extensions are needed.

Yes, I hear you on this one. We are simply going to enjoy reading through them with no extra work required. He LOVES the reading portion and it is pleasurable for all of us. So, we'll use them as a sort of Book Basket and keep it fun! The boy bounces up and down when it's time to listen in to a good read aloud! Some of the books he will enjoy reading on his own. In no way does this put pressure on him as he really enjoys the reading.

Full-speed Bigger Hearts is actually more rigorous than half-speed Preparing Hearts.

Okay, well, I'm buckling up! We'd tested out Bigger (3 Units worth) and enjoyed it immensely. At the time I felt that it was a very good fit for him. Spacing the guides properly was a little sticky but the Lord has allowed us to work around that now with an awesome fit for my middlers in Little Hearts. Relief.

My own very academically strong son is at the middle age range of all of our guides. He completely thrives each year, and yet has time to do the activities up to the hilt. His placement hasn't held him back in any way, and he loves his school each and every year.

This is an excellent report. Thank-you for sharing this testimony! I hope for this outcome for my oldest son!

Thank-you again ladies for talking through this with me and for sharing your encouragements and ideas. Bigger it is for 3rd grade. We have Preparing to look forward to for 4th grade (and now we have no curriculum to buy next year )