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I am finishing up Beyond with my 7 1/2 yr old son this week, as a first year homeschooler. As I have been reading through posts, I see a lot of seasoned homeschoolers & HOD users recommending waiting to use Bigger for 3rd grade. Next year, I will also be starting our 2nd son (6yr old) with LHFHG for kindergarten.

Can somebody give me a recommendation? Should I pursue Bigger for my 2nd grader, going half-speed? Should I use a different curriculum for 2nd grade and come back to HOD for 3rd grade? He breezed through most of Beyond in all subjects. He wasn't a big fan of copy work...but would do it with a little prodding.

I want to keep school fun for him, so he enjoys learning, but I don't want to hold him back either...

I would appreciate any suggestions and advice! Thank you!

Tiffany
Brecken 10/18/05
Leighton 5/29/07
Zoe 6/23/09
Sophie 2/28/11

Hi!
If he has done Beyond, he most likely would be ready for Bigger. You could always start the first month at half speed. Otherwise, if he can do Beyond totally, then he should be able to do Bigger full speed. Beyond prepares your child to take a step up in skills with starting Bigger. There are others on the board who have successfully done Bigger with 2nd grade - so on that score I wouldn't worry about it. You just need to evaluate your child. If he is ready, then he is ready! Have fun!

Recommendations will vary based on students' correct placement. Your ds obviously was accurately placed in Beyond Little Hearts... - congrats on a super year BTW! I'm excited because I get to say 100% for sure what I think you should do placement-wise here. Bigger Hearts! For sure. You can start half-speed to get your feet wet, but I bet ds will be ready for full-speed in no time. We have enjoyed Bigger Hearts at this age (or younger) with our sons, and I think you will too. It is our nature as homeschool moms to recommend placements to other people based on our success with our own dc with placement. You are just happening to hear placement advice from others who have enjoyed using Bigger Hearts for third grade. There are others, me included, who enjoyed using Bigger Hearts for second grade. I think it is key not to label an HOD guide as a definite grade level. They are not written to be labeled that way on purpose. Rather, it is good to choose a guide with each of your own dc in mind, with each of their own needs and skill levels in mind, as this will ultimately give your dc their best year ever. That is exactly what you have done, and better still, you have the powerful support of knowing your ds did super with Beyond Little Hearts! I'd get to enjoying Bigger Hearts and stop stressing. You have some awesome days ahead of you!!!

In Christ,
Julie

I agree, that HOD is better used with the age range and the placement chart to see the skill of the individual child. Going half pace is a great recommendation as you mentioned that your dc was not a fan of copy work. The writing requirements are much more intense. We finished Beyond and moved ahead to Bigger at the end of 2nd grade. He is not a reluctant writer, but I have noticed that he needs to grow into the amount of writing that is required in Bigger.
We are currently doing 3 days a week at full pace, leaving the 4th day for things left unfinished. After our summer break we will start with cursive and do full pace 4 times a week.
Success with your son. I have and am still learning to adjust as time goes, depending on the individual child.

I say go for it and start Bigger with him! This post saved me so much time with getting everything organized to start Bigger this year:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5531

Hope you have another great year!!