We are currently not running any HOD guides though I am cherry picking skills from some of my guides.
School began very late due to an unexpected turn of events that changed our summer and fall. We started our 3 R's on October 1st and have been working hard to adjust to new routines as we were waaaaaaaay out of routine for months and grieving the loss of our dear Poppy. Here is where the kids are at now:Ds10 (just turned) 4th grade. Did much of Bigger, loved it, it got very easy for him before we had to stop way back in May. Currently, He is in Level 4 dictation, working thru English 4, and is a solid math student. Excellent reading and comprehension. Has writing endurance but not much skill. Places fine in Preparing or CTC although I prefer Preparing for him to build endurance with the school day and to allow him the enjoyment of the guide. I like the written narration work also. Science will be light for him although I like the books and skills. He hasn't used DITHR and I don't plan on it this school year.
DS8y7m 2nd grade (was held back but is now a strong 2nd grader). He is 30 pages fom the end of Cheerful Cursive, Dictation Level 2, in 3rd unit of English 2 and will be halfway thru 2nd grade math at the new year despite a very late start! He is a GOOD oral narrator and a diligent, motivated student. But, he needs the school day to NOT be Preparing length yet. BIGGER is an awesome, strong placement for him. He will handle the writing portion just fine and I expect he will quickly take over some of the reading. He will also be able to independently follow directions with a few weeks of training.
DD6y8m 1st grade Excellent student, strong and voracious reader tearing thru Emerging Readers, phonics, and the first grade motor skills book. She is easily able to begin Spelling List 1 though we haven't yet. She is early in 1st grade math. I am not rushing her and we are working slow and steady. She has amazing fine motor skills and loves school. Her attention span for stories waxes and wanes. We are reading thru Cricket in Times Square as a family. The boys love it and she's hanging in there but it is stil a stretch for her. She is gaining in this area though. She could start Beyond skill wise but I am considering waiting until she turns 7 and just letting her continue with the basic skills she is working on and enjoying now.
Earlier I thought I'd combine my middle two in Beyond for the sake of ease but I am NOT at peace with that now. It is truly too little skill wise for my middle son. Yet, he is still not mature enough for the demands of the Preparing day. I'd also like him to finish English 2 and so he really doesn't place strongly in Preparing as a mid year 2nd grader despite fitting the age range.
My kids place strongly in Preparing (or CTC but I am not ready to move him up unless there is a compelling reason to; I am all ears though as we will be halfway thru 4th grade in early Jan.), Bigger, and ? My littlest is primed for LHTH and I may try it with him this winter.
Should I just GO with their ideal placements so that they grow properly? I can easily run Bigger half speed while working a full speed schedule with my Preparing guy. I can bump the Bigger kid up to full speed whenever I am able to. The girl would loooove Little Hearts though I own Beyond. I think I will just keep pondering what to do with her (LHFHG, Beyond now or Beyond later).
Ladies, your prayers and counsel are always appreciated. I have been torn for a good long while over whether or not to continue with HOD or to try team teaching, especially with my boys who "could" study Bible, history, and science together. My heart is not at rest though I will keep seeking the LORD who is faithful! Isaiah 26:3-4
This past post came to mind, where Carrie suggested some beefing up of Beyond for a 4th grader - maybe something here would help if this scenario is still on the table?