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I am a home school mom of 3. We have home schooled from the beginning, (8 years) but next year our older 2 will be going to a private school. Which I am very thankful for! It has been a pleasure homeschooling them, but I feel I cannot take them any further, so after much prayer we finally found a school that had a Christian homey atmosphere and to top it off I worked there for a couple of years so we know the folks that run it!

So next year I am homeschooling our 2nd/3rd grader(she is a little behind because she has been tagging along). I cannot decide between Bigger and Beyond. She would fit into the Bigger for most things, but not for history and science. She does not have a good foundation. Should I put her into Beyond so she can get a strong foundation in those two subjects (the science activities in Bigger look more age appropriate )or will Bigger provide her with that as well?

I hope that wasn't confusing!
Thanks for your help.

Do you plan to use HOD for reading and math? I would look at those two areas as well to make sure you get a good fit. Either one of the programs you mentioned would be perfect for her age, but check the placement chart for your best fit.

And a big welcome to you as well!! You will LOVE HOD!

Thanks Melanie for the welcome.

I was looking at the books that are used for history and science for both Bigger and beyond and just from reading the samples on line it looks like she could go either way. Same with the readers. But, if I went by which books would hold her attention, I would have to say the Beyond books history and science books would.

I use Saxon math, and we should be finished up with 2nd grade by Sept.-so the math in Bigger definitely fits her better.

I guess if I go by her math and reading and writing skills I would put her in Bigger.

So do I go according to what I feel is true for History and science or do I go by her math, and writing skills?

Lynne,

If you really like the History and Science in Beyond...better, you could order that and then order the Math level that is in Bigger. Language might be a different story since you would need the Bigger...manual for that. The emerging reader's schedule is the same in Beyond...and Bigger... if you don't mind using two manuals you could do it that way.

Have you had your child take the placement test for Singapore? You would want to do that before you begin. Here's the link to an online placement guide and test:
http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_s/12.htm

I'm sure you'll get some more responses from some ladies who've been in this situation. I'm using Beyond just as it is, so my suggestions are just that; no experience behind them. I hope this has been somewhat helpful.

Yes, Inhistiming, that was helpful. Thank you.

How does this sound? Opinions Please!

I have decided to go with Beyond with saxon math 3 and Language lessons for the very young, vol.2 (we are working on this now) and I want to add cheerful cursive, will that be doable? I know it (cheerful cursive) isn't scheduled in the Beyond book, but can I add it anyways?

I figured if the experiments and history books (clp) are too easy for her than we can try to do more than one lesson a day, so we can move into the Bigger book sooner. Is this doable, also?

Thanks for your insights!

I think that sounds very doable!

The history, science and geography activities are very good in Beyond (we're getting ready to start Beyond sometime this summer, so I have the whole package) and I think you'll find that they will give her a good base for when you move into Bigger.

There are spelling lists and some very gentle grammar lessons included in the Beyond guide along with poetry and copywork. Adding the LLFTVY vol. 2 and Cheerful Cursive will work with those to bump it up to a more 3rd grade level for you.

Are you going to do the emerging readers with her? Many of those books are on the upper 2nd and 3rd grade level so they could work very nicely for your reading program. There are discussion question in the appendix of the guide that go with the readers, along with some other suggestions for readers.

You would also need to choose your books for the storytime box. I am so looking forward to doing these with my kids this year!

This board is so wonderful for helping us work through our plans. It's a little slow on the weekends, but you'll get some more advice.
Mel

Are you going to do the emerging readers with her? Many of those books are on the upper 2nd and 3rd grade level so they could work very nicely for your reading program. There are discussion question in the appendix of the guide that go with the readers, along with some other suggestions for readers.

Oh yes, definitely! I have a lot of those books already! We have a home school sale coming up too, so maybe I will find some of the other books there! Our library also has an awesome sale at the beginning of summer-fill up a grocery bag of books for a dollar!

Thanks for your help
I can't wait to get her going in Beyond, I think she will love it!

Lynne,

I just wanted to welcome you to HOD! The ladies have done a great job of helping you. I would also agree with the ladies that your daughter could do "Beyond.." or "Bigger.." depending on her language arts and math skills.

Since you're using Saxon, then math is not a deciding factor. Even though it does sound like your daugher would fit into "Bigger..."language arts wise, if your heart is leading you toward "Beyond..." (to ease your daughter into some of the skills required in "Bigger...") then you're decision sounds like a good one.

Adding the things you mentioned would work well to "up" the level of language arts. As you mentioned if "Beyond..." seems too easy, you could always move more quickly on to "Bigger..." or just stop and move to "Bigger..." altogether.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie wrote:

f your heart is leading you toward "Beyond..." (to ease your daughter into some of the skills required in "Bigger...") then you're decision sounds like a good one. Very Happy

Yes, I feel very lead to use the Beyond. I actually looked into the required books for Bigger and it seems like they would be a little above her head right now.
I also, started filling out an order form for Bigger and I sat and prayed over it, and I just didn't get the peace that I needed.

I also need to mention that my dd is legally blind, she sees a specialist 2 times a year and they have not been able stabilize her eye sight yet! It has been 2 years.
She spent the first 5 years of her life literally feeling her way around and sometimes running into the walls before we figured out that there was something wrong. (DUH!! I feel so guilty at times, I guess that would be a prayer request as well) So she is a little behind where she ought to be.
So hands on is very vital to her and the stories as well.

So all that to say, I think Beyond will enrich her LA and math skills (I expect the math to be easy and will be review for her--she sooo needs that). I am not sure about the cursive though, I am not sure if she will be able to form the letters....I am going to give it a try, she wants to learn cursive so badly!

Thanks for the welcome and I really look forward to using Beyond in August with my dd!

God bless,

Lynne

Lynne,

I admire you so much for the job you are doing with your daughter and her vision issues! I can identify somewhat with the 'guilt' you mentioned. My dd is not blind but is very impaired in her left eye. We did not know this until she was at the end of her K year! I have felt so bad at times because I wonder if it would have been better if we had just realized there was a problem! However, I know that God has a plan for her, even with her impairment. It's been a struggle to get her reading, but she's doing so great now.

I just want to encourage you to 'let go' of the guilt. It can be hard... I still struggle sometimes...but God has a wonderful plan for your dd too, as I'm sure you know. He will give you the strength and the guidance for the direction to take with her. HOD has worked wonderfully for us. If this is where God has lead you for her schooling...it will be an exciting learning adventure for you both. I can't wait to hear how things go for you!

Lynne,

I just wanted to mention that you don't need to do cursive along with "Beyond...", as it is scheduled for you in "Bigger...". So, if you do decide to give it a try and it feels frustrating to your daughter, just put it away until "Bigger..".

I'm so glad that you have a peace in your decision. The Lord knows your needs best and only He can give you that peace.

Blessings,
Carrie

In his timing, thank you for the encouraging words!
So sorry that you had to go through it too, with your dd.
It is good to hear that she is doing better with her reading, though, that must be a huge blessing.

Carrie, thank you for all of your help, this board has answered a lot of my questions, I didn't have to ask some of them!
I am looking forward to starting and coming back to tell you ladies how things are going!