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HI!
I have loved this year so far! My 10 yo is in Bigger and 7 yo is in Little Hearts. But after Christmas every year they both have a learning curve! I really toyed with beginning them both in Preparing and Beyond, but due to skill levels, chose to hang back. Now that we've progressed through Bigger, I feel my oldest has the hang of HOD and the flow and is ready for more of a challenge. Also, after looking over the long term plan for my oldest, if I don't bump him up, he won't get through all of the guides, and I'd like for him to. I'm wondering if I should bump them both up now into Preparing and Beyond or even put the oldest in CTC. He will be 11 in August, his cursive is really coming along beautifully. We are breezing through R&S grammar 2. He definitely needs more science and a heavier work load. My little one would do great in beyond, so I'm good there. My oldest I just want to place properly. I appreciate any feedback!!

I would look at the placement chart with fresh eyes and see where they each place.

You know your kids best. If you feel like your oldest needs more and is ready to move up a level, then do so. That's the beauty of homeschooling. You can move at your child's pace. Sometimes that means slowing down and sometimes that means jumping up a level so they can learn on their level. Feel free not to finish a guide if your child needs more challenging work. I'd hate to see a child doing less than they are capable of just for the sake of finishing. We will probably be jumping up into Preparing soon since my 10 year old has made a lot of progress lately and the things in Bigger are becoming to simple to keep his attention.

From what you've shared, I'd probably finish out LHFHG, as your youngest is in the right target age range for that guide and will be fine moving on to Beyond when finished with LHFHG. I'd move your oldest ds up to PHFHG now, as he sounds ready. I'd not skip PHFHG to do CTC. There is quite a jump from BHFHG to CTC. PHFHG bridges it nicely though. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you ladies! That is exactly what I needed to hear! I will move oldest up now to Preparing, I was concerned about not finishing Bigger with him, but he's just ready for more. It's nice to have permission, in a sense, to not finish a guide. I like to finish things, so that's a relief to have the green light. Youngest can finish up Little Hearts and stay on the path we're on!