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I have been thinking some ahead for each of my oldest 3 children with HOD.

Since Singapore 1A/1B is in Beyond and 2A/2B & English 2 is in Bigger I have been thinking of them as Beyond = 1st and Bigger = 2nd. Since I am really getting HOD going this month for the first time I am wondering how the grades really work for each program. Is Beyond OK for 2nd (my ds6 will be in second when he completes it), or does that make a student behind?

Is CTC better for a 4th or 5th grader?
Is Preparing better for a 3rd or 4th grader?

Is a Highschool program coming after Missions to Moderns?

I really like HOD, but I have wanted to have a better understanding of the age range for each guide.

Does this question make sense?

Thank you!

I've done Bigger and Beyond, and am starting Preparing today, so I can answer about those from my experience and in my opinion In my opinion, Beyond is great for 1st or 2nd, but it goes along with what public school does by the end of 2nd. Bigger is great for 3rd, and Preparing 4th.... compared to our friends in public school. Some subjects are advanced, like history is way deeper in the earlier guides than public school, some is spot on (grammar and science) and some might be a little behind in some ways, but ahead in others (math).... But for the most part, it lines up well thinking of Bigger as 3rd grade (without extensions I mean)

I have combined my oldest 3 in HOD for the last three years. We started with LHFHG and are almost finished with Bigger. I chose to combine because my kids fit into the recommended age range for the guides. However, I will say their abilities have been vastly different. My oldest in the group has always excelled and done well, and my youngest has struggled a bit. In light of that fact, I have tried to slow things down at times and the extension do help my oldest feel challenged.

In no way would would a 6 year old who completes Beyond be considered "behind". Personally, I think of Beyond being more second grade, Bigger third grade, Preparing 4th grade and CTC 5th grade -- but again, it depends on the child. Carrie bases the program on skill level, not grade level, and one guide helps prepare a child for the work that's in the next level.

Not that you're asking, but maybe this will help you or someone else down the line. I have been attempting to get my 6 year old 1st grader started in LHFHG this year but she wasn't interested. The history readings made her eyes graze over. So I decided to give up for the time being, just work on the basics, and try again in a couple of months. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, things clicked. I suppose I could have plowed through but it's so much better now that she looks forward to doing school every day. Now I feel she's well on the path to success in HOD.

We use a different math program, so I can't help you there.

If you haven't already, go to the home page and click on the Scope and Sequence chart. Carrie plans on doing HOD through highschool. Yippie.

I agree with the other posters. I used Beyond as "1st grade" for my oldest but will be using it as "2nd grade" for my youngest. I put them in quotes because we have homeschooled from the beginning so really don't get too concerned with the grade level. I have been on our state's standards website and know we will be just fine, so beyond that I haven't worried.

Agree with all of the above!!! (Beyond-2nd, Bigger-3rd, Preparing-4th, CTC-5th, etc.) I say that based primarily on average writing ability and reading comprehension. Of course, it also definitely depends on the individual child...every child is different and has various strengths and weaknesses, so they may place higher or lower in the programs--the placement chart is SOOOOOOO important and the key to using HOD successfully, IMO!

MomtoJGJE wrote:I've done Bigger and Beyond, and am starting Preparing today, so I can answer about those from my experience and in my opinion In my opinion, Beyond is great for 1st or 2nd, but it goes along with what public school does by the end of 2nd. Bigger is great for 3rd, and Preparing 4th.... compared to our friends in public school. Some subjects are advanced, like history is way deeper in the earlier guides than public school, some is spot on (grammar and science) and some might be a little behind in some ways, but ahead in others (math).... But for the most part, it lines up well thinking of Bigger as 3rd grade (without extensions I mean)

This and ALL the posts were very helpful.

I thought I should clarify that ds6 is at the beginning of Beyond and ds8 is at the beginning of Bigger. So I was starting to feel this pressure of wondering if I was supposed to finish both by September! I don't like feeling behind, and we usually take 8 weeks off in the summer.

Thank you for the clarification. It really helped! It helps me plan for next school year too when they will be in 2nd & 3rd. I also have really been wanting to re-visit the phonics program that I did with my first for my second ds6, and it will put him in Beyond for 2nd grade/instead of 1st grade. Now I know that it is on track. Thank you!

If you haven't explored these links/charts already, they might be very helpful for you now and in terms of HOD plans for the future.

http://www.heartofdakota.com/scope.php

http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php