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I asked this on the Facebook group awhile back, thought I'd post here to get more opinions.

This is our first year using HOD (2nd yr HSing), we aren't very far into it yet but we are loving it! To make an easy transition into this method of homeschooling (last year was very chaotic) we started with my 2nd grader in Beyond and my 4th and 6th graders in Preparing. The 6th grader does the extensions. I like to plan ahead so that I can pick up some of the stuff as I see it in used book stores. So for next year, my younger will do Bigger for sure. Then the older 2, should I keep them together in CTC? Another option I thought of was to have the middle child do Bigger with the younger so that she doesn't miss out on that curriculum, Should the older do CTC or skip it and go to the next guide (RTR I think?)....... Sometimes I think Preparing is too easy for him this year, but yet he is a reluctant schooler anyway, gives me grief sometimes. So I didn't want to put too much on him.

Advice? Thanks!

I haven't used those guides yet so I can't say for sure- but I'd keep the older two together and put them both in CTC. From what I've read here, there is a significant jump in skills between the guides as you go. If your oldest can be a reluctant learner, I'd be hesitant to skip a guide unless you feel he would really be more appropriately placed in RTR. If your middle child is doing well in Preparing, I'd keep moving forward! Bigger *is* a wonderful guide (that's what we're using this year)-but maybe she can just listen in on some of the readings with your youngest sometimes?? I'm already making plans for next year too.... I can't help myself, lol!

What you have going now seems really ideal, and so unless you find that they are not challenged, or are too challenged, as you go through this year I would just keep going as you are. Your oldest will be challenged, and the range a guide can cover is wider in the higher guides, there is more challenge you can add in. Probably just how short the school day is for your 6th grader is a big contrast, but he is getting a good well-rounded education and learning to work independently, etc.

There's no reason to work yourself into 3 guides. If you took the middle one down to Bigger next year then the following year you'd have to jump back to CTC and so you would be in 3 guides. If the middle can handle CTC, then go with it! They will hit the American History again through the 4 years of history from CTC to MTMM.

I hope this helps.

I have had my kids combined and not combined and for me I find having them placed where they fit the best is for the best. I would look at where the 6th grader placed not factoring in this year or anything. I would just go to the placement chart and check off where he fits and place him where he gets the most checks. If he fits in CTC, then keep them combined. Yet, you may find that he fits in RTR. I wouldn't go backwards with the 4th grader as American History is going to roll around again and the skills advance in each guide.

mommyofmany wrote:I haven't used those guides yet so I can't say for sure- but I'd keep the older two together and put them both in CTC. From what I've read here, there is a significant jump in skills between the guides as you go. If your oldest can be a reluctant learner, I'd be hesitant to skip a guide unless you feel he would really be more appropriately placed in RTR. If your middle child is doing well in Preparing, I'd keep moving forward! Bigger *is* a wonderful guide (that's what we're using this year)-but maybe she can just listen in on some of the readings with your youngest sometimes?? I'm already making plans for next year too.... I can't help myself, lol!

I would agree with this. Definitely look at the placement chart for your oldest if you are thinking of splitting your kids up, but if they are both doing good, I'd keep them together. I agree that you should not move backwards in guides. Especially for a 5th grader who is doing well.