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I have a ds who will be 9 next school year. He is officially registered as 3rd grade (for next year) but with job changes, moving cross country, new siblings, etc. we haven't really been doing much formal school. He's very bright and reads quite well, but doesn't have much of a basis of skill/fact in terms of writing, narrating, or "school type" work. He's not doing HOD this year. He's using Math-U-See, Climbing to Good English, reading lots, and the occasional lapbook or science experiment. His younger sister will be 6/7 next year, registered as 1st grade. She is doing LHFHG this year. I'm wondering if I could combine them in Beyond next year, using more advanced math and english for him so he gets a basis or if it would be too "babyish" and frustrating for him.

I would put him in Beyond because it would give him a solid start with HOD and you would not be back-to-back Bigger/Beyond, which is a load. For a 9-yr-old I would add English as you said, place him appropriately for math, and put him in DITHOR. I would also do Cheerful Cursive with him.

Thanks. I was a bit worried about doing those 2 guides as I also have older and younger kids at home. They aren't anywhere near each other in skill level, but in personality it would work better to combine them than any other combination of kids.

I tried to do my boys together (ages 7&9, 1st and 3rd grades) in Beyond and it just did not work as they their skills were so far apart. I switched to using LHFHG for the 1st grader and Bigger for the 3rd grader and all of us are so much happier. You might be OK in combining them, but you might also have to switch him up if it is too easy.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I do wonder if it will be holding him back, but we are planning to do MtMM and CtC with the older kids, and I'm not sure I can also do Beyond and Bigger (plus something preschoolish for the youngest). I guess that is the best option - just give it a try and adjust as needed.