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Hello,

I really want to try and combine my kids into one guide this year so that they can do as many subjects together as possible. So I was wondering if it would work to combine my 6 year old twins almost 7 (could do 2nd grade work with a little less writing) with my 10 year old daughter (going into 5th grade) using BHFHG. If this would work how would I do it? Also, If I did this my 10 year old would repeat PHFHG the following year using the extension pack...would this mess everything up for the history cycle?

Thanks in advance,

Jessica

I am sorry to say I can't help you with your questions. (I am new here too!) I just wanted to bump your post up so more people would see it and maybe be able to help you. I have a little girl who I will be starting in Beyond this fall and I am very excited to use HOD! Some of the ladies here have been very helpful to me and I hope they will be able to help you too!
Katie

Don't really know how much help I'll be, but I can give my input, fwiw . Am I understanding correctly that your older child has already done Preparing (you mentioned having her repeat it?) If that's the case, I guess I wouldn't really recommend putting her back into Bigger. If you did, I really don't think it would be a good idea to repeat Preparing-even with extensions-if she's done it successfully and completely already.

Also, you mentioned a concern with your twins needing a little less writing. That sounds like you'll be modifying a big part of the Bigger guide. That would raise a concern of them being able to handle the Preparing guide the next year. I'm afraid you'd find yourself from here on out modifying every guide because it was just a little too much above them. When you modify the guides, you're losing key elements in their education. I find that's one thing to remember with these HOD guides-there's not "fluff" built into them, every single thing Carrie has written there, she has written for a specific purpose. I guess if you're concerned with the amount of writing, I'd stick with Beyond. It will give them a greater chance to enjoy school if they're not challenged beyond their abilities, and a better chance a learning if they material is truly on their level.

I know it's a bigger deal to some to have all their kids studying together. I have to say that, for us anyway, we find that we're spending nearly all of our time together as a family, just by homeschooling. I like being able to give each of my kids something that is unique to them in their school work. Having study that is tailored to their needs just seems to me like I'm giving them a better education. I like the one on one time that we get when we do their school-I'm hoping that someday they'll appreciate this as well, even though right now they don't see this as Mom's undivided attention in the way that they like. They still ask Mommy to do something with "just me!" I think HOD can work to combine your children, if they're truly on the same level, but its strength lies more in making it possible to teach multiple guides alongside one another without losing your sanity .

Okay, that was longer winded than I intended, and perhaps I'm getting way ahead of myself here . I guess I should have merely asked: Where would your children place if you were to place them individually, without thinking of their siblings?

I too think it would be to your 5th graders detriment to go back to a "lesser skilled" book than to advance her into CTC. CTC is much more independent, so she could do the majority of her work while you are working on Beyond with your twins. If you want, your older daughter could always listen in and contribute to the stories, etc. in Beyond. Just my two cents.

Thank you ladies for your input I really appreciate it! After looking more carefully into the guides I came to the same conclusion...it would be better to keep teaching 2 guides instead of trying to combine. I would be making a lot more work for myself instead of simplifying my day like I thought...

Thank you again!

Jessica