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My 8 year old daughter is in unit 8 in Beyond and we are loving it. So we will just continue it for next year. My son who will be 10 in October, is currently doing Abeka history and it just isnt working. My question is if I decide to go back to Hod with him in the fall which level to do. I would like to do bigger but he was already done Rod and Staff 2 and Italic book D that they recommend. So wouldn't Preparing be a better fit? Also he is having trouble reading cursive writing , should I be worried and what do I do for that?

If your son places in Bigger, don't worry at all about the grammar and handwriting parts. You can use whichever R&S level you need (or even another program if you like). We just finished Bigger using R&S 4 because that was where we were (did R&S 3 last year.) I actually never even looked at the LA part of the guide because we were using Bigger with extensions for a 10 year old. We just did one lesson out of R&S each day we did grammar (about 3-4 times a week.) We also didn't follow the math schedule as we use Abeka math. We did dictation out of RTR but I think these are available online or something if your child is further along in dictation than the level in Bigger. I'm not familiar with Italic Book D. If there is a next level, you could do that or you could start having him do copywork in cursive. I wouldn't let the grammar and cursive recommendations hold you back. Especially with him being new to HOD, he would probably do better with Bigger than Preparing. There is a big jump in skill-level and having a year to adjust to HOD (narration, etc) before getting into Preparing would be very beneficial.

oh Good because I was worried about him being in 5th grade and using Bigger next year. Just want to make sure that it wont be too easy for him. And my other question is should I do extensions are they required for 5th and 6th grade. I just want to make sure he is challenged enough. Thanks

According to the placement chart should he be in Bigger or Preparing? If you use Bigger, you will need to do extensions.

Except for the writing he places in preparing. We have never done dictation and he struggles with cursive writing. So this Is why I am torn

Just do bigger and bump up the math and handwriting.
You don't want him to miss out on Bigger!! That is SUCH a good guide. (As you already know). Maybe he could even jump in with sister?

What math are you using with sister?

Have you considered Saxon?

My Son is doing Saxon this year and doing well but Im not sure that I like the way it jumps around. My daughter is doing Math lessons for a living Education, which I love she has some processing issues and it seems to be working well. She is in 2nd grade but more 1st grade math. Her reading level is at or above grade level though.

amf1025 wrote:Except for the writing he places in preparing. We have never done dictation and he struggles with cursive writing. So this Is why I am torn

I am wondering if you mean that he struggles with the physical act of writing (like how much he can do each day), or if you mean cursive writing is the struggle? Also, not ever having done dictation is fine. Level 2 of dictation is in both PHFHG's and BHFHG's Appendix. So, taking dictation out of the decision, can you share a bit more about writing being the portion he'd struggle with in PHFHG? That would help me give more sound advice - thanks! As far as dd, Beyond has been great for her, so just keep enjoying it! It is your ds we are trying to place here.

In Christ,
Julie

My ds has been doing the Italic books and really enjoys them, but when it comes to reading cursive he is having trouble. He can write paragraphs now and his handwriting is beautiful. I hope that helps. After thinking about things I think that it would be best if I didn't try to combine because I think their skills are very spread apart.

amf1025 wrote:My ds has been doing the Italic books and really enjoys them, but when it comes to reading cursive he is having trouble. He can write paragraphs now and his handwriting is beautiful. I hope that helps. After thinking about things I think that it would be best if I didn't try to combine because I think their skills are very spread apart.

Thanks, and I agree - it sounds like ds will do well with PHFHG, and dd can keep enjoying Beyond!
In Christ,
Julie

Thanks Julie,
I am so excited to have finally made this decision. I really believe next year is going to be a great one!!!