Beyond for a 9 yr old?

[Charika30]

I am just curious? I have a friend who has just begun homeschooling and has a 9 yr old 3rd/4th grader and has just begun Beyond. I've noticed though that the extension packs don't begin until you get to bigger. I am just wondering if this is indeed a sufficient curriculum choice for this age? I know she has mentioned a lack of enthusiasm that she receieves from him, but I am wondering if it could be because it doesn't meet his maturity level?? I know bigger is a lot more advanced with more to do for the student and since they r just beginning I thought it might be smoother to begin with beyond (not too intimidating or "overwhelming"---especially since my friend has no "teaching" experience prior to this and lacks confidence). Maybe I am being an overly concerned friend and should just let them continue with what she's chosen. I am just hoping, academically, it is enough for the 9 year old 3rd grader...

Thanks in advance,
Charika

[Heart_Mom]

I am just curious? I have a friend who has just begun homeschooling and has a 9 yr old 3rd/4th grader and has just begun Beyond. I've noticed though that the extension packs don't begin until you get to bigger. I am just wondering if this is indeed a sufficient curriculum choice for this age? I know she has mentioned a lack of enthusiasm that she receieves from him, but I am wondering if it could be because it doesn't meet his maturity level?? I know bigger is a lot more advanced with more to do for the student and since they r just beginning I thought it might be smoother to begin with beyond (not too intimidating or "overwhelming"---especially since my friend has no "teaching" experience prior to this and lacks confidence). Maybe I am being an overly concerned friend and should just let them continue with what she's chosen. I am just hoping, academically, it is enough for the 9 year old 3rd grader...

Thanks in advance,
Charika

I only have a moment to reply now. I'll try to come back later and give you more detail, though!

We were new to HOD last year and I did Beyond with my 6 year old 1st grader and my 9 year old 4th grader. My 9 year old was behind for various reasons and it was a great year for him as he was just not ready for the writing in Bigger. Now he's doing Bigger with Extensions for 4th grade and really thriving. So much so that I might bump him up to Preparing soon. I knew last year that Beyond him was light for my 4th grader, but I was willing to do that because I knew that Bigger with extensions would work for this year. I also thought I wanted to keep my older two together for the long-haul (and I've changed my mind on that one!)

I guess the question is whether her son is able to do Bigger's skills.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you might have!

[sharonb]

As long as she is using the appropriate level of math and English for her son, then it's probably okay. She can always add the extensions next year in Bigger. That being said, I started off this school year with my 1st, 3rd, and 4th graders combined in Beyond. Even with some "homemade extensions", I felt like it wasn't enough for the 3rd and 4th graders. I bumped them up to Preparing, and it has been perfect. If it had just been my 3rd grader, I would have bumped him up to Bigger, but he's doing fine in Preparing.

I think the biggest question is whether they are using the math/LA plans from Beyond, or if they are doing something different to have those on grade level. (Though it's possible her son is behind and actually places in Beyond; that's something to consider.) If her son is not behind academically, I can see where he'd lack enthusiasm using Beyond's math/LA! It's perfect for 1st/2nd graders, but definitely not enough for 3rd/4th graders.

[Heart_Mom]

Hi, Again!

I just wanted to add that when my 9 year old did Beyond, we did Math & LA that was appropriate for his grade level.

[tnahid]

My 10 year old did Beyond last year when he was 9 with DITHOR and 3rd grade math and LA. It was great for him! He is not the super academic type, whatever that really is, and it was his first year back to homeschooling after being in Christian school for 2 years. But this year he is thriving with Bigger plus extensions and DITHOR and 4th grade level math and LA. He will be 11 in Feb.

My 8 year old does Bigger by itself with no extensions. It is working great for him. He is pretty much on the same level as my 10 year old actually, except for a few things like cursive writing. Each child is different, but if her son is not to excited about doing homeschool or if this is his first year out of school, I would tell her take it easy and do Beyond with him. It is such an enjoyable year! Let him deschool and focus on building the attachment relationship with him back up again. That is what is of utmost importance IMO. Blessings!

[Charika30]

Thank you sooooo much to each of you who responded! She is actually doing the math (2b) and English 2 from bigger. But I think what made me wonder is when I read a review from a mom who expressed a lack of enthusiasm from her son for stories of the pilgrims in beyond and believed it was because it was just too "young" of a reading for him and he needed a history program a little more advanced. I know my friend's son also loves science and I know the science is a lot "lighter" in beyond compared to bigger...

But, I am glad I asked the question here first before going to her with my "concerns". The last thing she needs is for me to add confusion to her already difficult start at homeschooling her 2 boys using different guides (little hearts and beyond) with a 1 year old in EVERYTHING It seems from your responces that the issue is not so much the history and science but the math and LA. And if that is indeed the case, then I suppose she and her son should be fine then since he is doing those subjects in the higher guide...

Thanks again,
Charika

[sharonb]

I wouldn't worry about the history in Beyond at all; even though Beyond is for 1st/2nd grade, the history books are actually around 3rd grade, if I remember correctly. (You could look at Christian Liberty Press if you really want to know exactly). I do think that Beyond's science would be a bit light for a 3rd/4th grader, but for a busy mom who is new to homeschooling, I would simply suggest extra library books about science topics that interest the child. Plus lots of outside time to explore nature. It sounds like she has a lot on her plate, and she's already made sure to place him in the right levels of math/LA, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

[Heart_Mom]

I wouldn't worry about the history in Beyond at all; even though Beyond is for 1st/2nd grade, the history books are actually around 3rd grade, if I remember correctly. (You could look at Christian Liberty Press if you really want to know exactly). I do think that Beyond's science would be a bit light for a 3rd/4th grader, but for a busy mom who is new to homeschooling, I would simply suggest extra library books about science topics that interest the child. Plus lots of outside time to explore nature. It sounds like she has a lot on her plate, and she's already made sure to place him in the right levels of math/LA, so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

A agree about both History and Science. I think the History is fine. The Science is a little light for a 3rd grader, but my son is so into Science (constantly reading and experimenting on his own) that I didn't worry about it.

[tnahid]

Yes, science was a little light. We actually added Rod and Staff 4 last year for my oldest son. It seemed to work well for him, although a bit DRY imo!

[Charika30]

Thank you guys (again) ! I spoke to my friend yesterday and she is totally not worried about it, I guess I shouldn't be either She is enjoying everything about beyond and her only concern was to make sure her son is learning enough to do well on standarized testing at the end of the year and since (history and science is not on the test)... well, ... Thanks for the suggestions though for beefing up the science if needed. I guess if her son gets hungry for more science, I can suggest it. She actually has the apologia astronomy science book, but with all on her plate not sure that would be practical... In any case, thanks again!

Blessings,
Charika

[sharonb]

Adding Apologia Astronomy would be very easy if she wants to at some point. We went through that book last year, and I would just read a section at a time (or more, if they were begging for more!) and we'd do the activities as we came to them. We are now using Botany in much the same way- just a little bit at a time. We spend 5-10 minutes a day on it. We've also used Zoology 1 in the past and loved it. The apologia books are very easy to use "HOD-style", IMO!

[Charika30]

Thank you, Sharon! That is REALLY great to know...I actually have the apologia book and journals too for my kids and felt it would be a bit much to add, but doing 5-10 min. a day is definitely doable! And I will def suggest it to my friend if she would like to start using it...Thanks again!!!

[Carrie]

Charika,

Wonderful advice has been given in this thread! The ladies are full of wise counsel. I did want to just pop-in and mention that if your friend does end up adding an Apologia book to raise the level of science for a 9 year old, you might want to have her steer clear of the Apologia Astronomy and Apologia Land Animals books. This is because these are both used in higher levels of HOD. If you don't mind repeating material later, then it would be fine to do this particular volume. If you prefer not to repeat though, you may wish to consider advising a different Apologia book or advising just reading science related books or biographies instead.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Charika30]

Thank you, Carrie!

I actually did notice the other day that Apologia Astronomy is used in a higher guide and suggested to my friend that she can wait til then to use it (if she felt it be too much right now). It seems like she is content right now even with the science for her 9 year old. This is her first year homeschooling, Perhaps she doesn't really see that it's too light for a 9 yr old?? I suppose it won't hurt him to go through the science in beyond and next year start the science in bigger?? Unless he starts to get "hungrier" for more science later? I don't know... But on a different note, I purchased the Apologia Astronomy book and journals for my kids about a year ago. They r currently using bigger and beyond. If I decided to start using them with them at some point, could I replace/exchange that volume for a different volume when I get to the guide that uses it? Or is the Astronomy volume a neccesity for that guide?? Just curious.. .Thank you for taking the time out to respond!!!

Blessings,
Charika

[LynnH]

Charika,
we had used the Apologia Astronomy book already so I substituted AIG's Wind and Weather book for the Astronomy and it was ok, but I really, really wish that I would have just waited and done the Apologia book. The plans Carrie has written for that book are wonderful and she adds to the Apologia plans and makes it more doable and from the looks of it very fun. I have to admit I battled with envy every time I saw pictures of all the neat things people were doing with the Astronomy guide. So that is just my 2 cents from someone who did substitute and really wish that I wouldn't have.