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Hello,

I am wondering where to place my children - I would like to, if possible, combine at least 2 in the same program. I have a 2 year old (born in November) a 4 year old (5 in April) and a 6 year old (7 next week). Currently, the almost 7 year old is just finishing up her grade 1 with the Abeka program. The 4 year old is also doing the K4 Abeka program, but still needs a lot of work in his fine motor skills, and also is not solid in his letter recognition/sounds. I'd say he's got about 75% down. His math - he knows 1-10, with 7,8,9 and 10 needing help. As for the 2 year old - he's had nothing, just enjoys singing with us our bible songs and imitates everything we do, and loves to colour and sit down with us and read books. Thanks in advance for the help!

Joyce Hein

Here is what I did when we first started. I chose the book that best matched my oldest child's skills. There are tons of resources to be read out loud and we just do it together. Little brother is 2.5 years younger, but has no trouble keeping up with big brother. It's all listening and talking about what we heard. Just make the written work appropriate for each child and their ability level. Same with the math. That's what I love about homeschooling - you get to meet the kids exactly where they are and work from there.

Additionally, I love 99% of the books that the Author has chosen as suggested reading. I have found many gems that I never would have just happened onto.

Pam Holmes

Joyce,

From what you've shared so far, I would place your 5 year old in LHFHG with the kindergarten options. You can continue with Abeka phonics if desired, or you could take a look at either of the two phonics programs we carry (which are Reading Made Easy and The Reading Lesson). Both will give your child all the phonics he/she needs to know and take more than one year to complete. After completion of the phonics program, your child then moves into the Emerging Reader set of real books, which is scheduled with daily reading assignments and follow-up questions (provided in the Appendix of both Beyond and Bigger Hearts).

For your older child, I am not quite sure based on what you've shared so far as to what the best placement should be. So, I need to ask a few questions to get a clearer picture. I'm wondering if your older child can copy a sentence or more at a time easily on a daily basis? How does copywork or written work go? Is your older child reading real books yet, and if so could you list a couple of titles he/she is reading on his/her own? If not, can you mention whether he is still completing phonics instruction? Will you be continuing on with Abeka for math or will you be making a switch to the Singapore math scheduled in the HOD guides? How does your child do at spelling? Does it come easily or is it a weaker area? Has your older child had anything yet in the way of formal history or science?

If you get a chance to pop back and share a bit more about your older child, we can advise you even better.

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Carrie!

OK, here's the answers
I'm wondering if your older child can copy a sentence or more at a time easily on a daily basis? Yes, she easily copies sentences and daily writes in her journal or stories. How does copywork or written work go? She could sit for hours doing copy work Is your older child reading real books yet, and if so could you list a couple of titles he/she is reading on his/her own? She reads anything she can get her hands on - she reads mostly the Abeka readers, from their Grade 1 program, and can very very easily read the "Step 1 or Step 2" reading books from the Library (Franklin, Berenstein Bears etc.)If not, can you mention whether he is still completing phonics instruction? She is still getting a little bit of phonics instruction - I believe this is the last year in Abeka. She can mostly figure out new words on her own.Will you be continuing on with Abeka for math or will you be making a switch to the Singapore math scheduled in the HOD guides? I'm not sure how big the switch is, so as long as it's a smooth switch I'd say I'll probably switch to I can go along with the guide.How does your child do at spelling? Does it come easily or is it a weaker area?She loves spelling - usually gets 90-100% on her spelling and phonics tests. Has your older child had anything yet in the way of formal history or science? This year we've also completed the Abeka Science and Health programs, and are in the middle of a Canadian History program by Donna Ward.

Thanks Joyce

Joyce,

As I'm getting to the phone messages today, I see that you called our office. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner! We're fighting Influenza B here and are doing our best to keep up with orders/shipping/questions/ message board/phone calls/facebook/emails. My hubby is without a voice, making me the new phone person for a bit! So, I'm glad I've gotten a chance to help you here instead!

Thanks so much for coming back to share more about your daughter. That really helps me see better where she fits skill-wise. If you are thinking about making this switch to HOD after completing their current Abeka programs, I would lean toward your older daughter doing Bigger Hearts and your just turning 5 year old doing Little Hearts. Your two kiddos, while not so far apart in age, are quite far apart in skills making it tough to combine them well. This is not unusual, as often first-born kiddos are just ready to go and more mature in their skills. It seems to be a God-given trait for first-born kiddos.

I can see why you'd want to consider grouping them together, especially since you have been doing two full levels of Abeka each day (which makes for a very full day indeed)! I think you may be pleasantly surprised by the switch to HOD, even with doing two different programs. Little Hearts just takes 90 min. each day, including phonics and math. Bigger takes about 2 and 1/2 hours a day with all parts included. If you keep your Abeka math, your day will be longer (because we allot 20 min. for math in Bigger with Singapore, so Abeka math will add a bit more time).

As far as Bigger Hearts goes, you would need the Economy Package, the Basic Package (with Singapore math 2A/2B), the Science Add-on, choice of Girl or Classic Set to read-aloud, and the Emerging Reader's Set with Beginner's Bible. Link: http://www.heartofdakota.com/bigger-hearts-packages.php

The Emerging Reader's Set will be your child's reading. The Girl or Classic Set will be what you read aloud to her. If you choose to stay with Abeka for math, then you would not get the entire Basic Package, but you would instead purchase the following items from the Basic Package individually: Preparing to Build: English 2, Little Pillows, and Hymns for a Kid's Heart. Cursive is scheduled daily in Bigger, and I would lean toward choosing Cheerful Cursive. Your daughter would not need the Extension Package, probably would not need a phonics program, and would not need Drawn into the Heart of Reading at this stage of her learning. If you did feel that she had phonics left to learn yet, you could finish Abeka's phonics, either in place of/or while doing the Emerging Reader's Set of real books scheduled in the Appendix of Bigger Hearts.

For your 5 year old, you would need the Kindergarten Economy Package, the Kindergarten Basic Package (which includes the K math), A Reason for Writing 'K' for handwriting, either Reading Made Easy or The Reading Lesson for phonics (unless you plan to use Abeka's phonics), and choice of Bible (Family-Time Bible is the easier one for you to read aloud to your child as part of the history program). Link: http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hearts-packages.php
That's it for your almost 5 year old.

I'll also link you to a couple of posts that may be of help to you!

What are we considering, when you ask us which guide your family should use? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9338

Why do we ask you to look at the placement chart for each of your individual children when considering the best placement for your family? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9339

Why don’t you recommend having children younger than the target age range of the HOD guide simply listen in with the older student’s guide? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9341

What would my child be missing out on if I did choose to combine him/her in a guide that doesn’t fit him/her well on the placement chart? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9342

How will we be learning as a family, if we do separate guides? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9343

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks so much for all your help Carrie - I appreciate it

One more quick question Carrie Would you suggest I start my 2 year old in the first program? I think it's called Little Hands? Or should I wait until he's 3 or 4? Would it be manageable with the other two? Thanks

LHTH only takes 30 minutes a day, however I would hold off until they are atleast 3.

I would agree not to start Little Hands to Heaven until at least 3 years old. My kids enjoyed using it at age 4.

Carrie - I have another question I was just about to order the materials, but am not sure of one thing. Do you think my 7 year old daughter should do the Math 2A/B or the Math 3A/B - I have only seen the first lesson in the catalog, and she knows her one hundreds, tens and one place already, so I'm not sure if that's just review that is done in the first lesson. She has addition/subtraction done up until 13 and has started multiplication. She knows temperature, measurements and can also add or subtract two digit numbers, and can also add or subtract 3,4, or more numbers. We just finished her Abeka Grade 1 this week, and same with my now 5 year old - he has finished his K4 program. Thanks again Joyce

I know Carrie can help you better, but I will say Singapore math is a bit advanced.
So keep that in mind. My oldest is on a B/A schedule for the year.
i.e. he did 1B, then 2A in one school year. That is another option.

Glad you have found the correct placement. Have fun!

go to the singapore website and have her do the placement test

Welcome to the Board, Joyce - it is nice to meet you! Wow, Carrie! Such great advice - that must have taken forever to type, and know your family was so sick with Influenza too - I know of no author this gracious with their time! For math, as the pp wisely shared, I'd give her the Singapore math placement test and be sure to have her do it solely on her own with no help (as this inflates scores unintentionally). It is printable and free at this website...
http://www.singaporemath.com

Just follow these steps once you are on the website...
1. Click on "parents"
2. Click on "assessment tests" (which is a clickable link under Step 3 on that page).
3. Click on the level you want to begin with under PRIMARY MATHEMATICS 3RD & U.S. EDITION SERIES , keeping in mind Singapore Math is considered a year advanced - in other words, start LOWER than you think your dc will place.
4. Print the test and have your dc take it, making sure not to help with anything as this inflates scores.
5. Follow the guidelines for placement (dc will probably take several levels tests before arriving at a placement).
6. Wherever dc place, even if it is lower than you anticipated, start there. If they tested into a "B" book, just begin with that. It will be fine!

In Christ,
Julie