Switching Guides Mid-Year?
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2017 2:19 pm
So I started my DD6 in LHFHG and DS9 in Bigger this school year. Actually, we started a little bit of LHFHG last year, but anyway...
I was concerned about the amount of writing for DS9 so placing him was a challenge, but I ended up going with Bigger (instead of Beyond). He's fine with composing, but it's the physical act of writing that is a struggle. We got a few units in and there was just so much going on...trying to do two guides and just getting him used to all the activities in the boxes...I guess getting all of us used to the programs....My kids participate in a Christmas musical that takes a lot of time in the fall. My oldest was also taking classes at a community college and I had to drive him. So at first I would pack up all our books, lunch, etc. and try to do it while he was in class. It was just too much for me. (I also have some anxiety issues
)
So I simplified things for myself and just started doing Beyond with both of them. (I already own all 3 programs.) My DD6 is still learning to read so I do reading and math (Singapore 1A) with her and she "listens in" to the rest of Beyond. She does a lot of coloring/drawing, R&S workbooks, and crafts, which she loves.
It was great to get us through that busy time. But I can see now that DS9 could be doing more. He had been doing cursive and I stopped because I didn't want to get ahead of Bigger. He is doing the dictation out of Bigger because the spelling lists are way too easy, and I've had him copy some parts of the poems here and there. I hesitate to do too much copywork because I'm not sure I understand the whole concept and he seems to struggle with writing so much. But lately I've been sort of testing the waters, if you will, to see what he can do because Beyond seems really much too easy for him. He does independent reading, math, dictation and whatever art activity there is and the rest is me reading aloud, which is fine. I had him do a science lesson from Bigger just to see and his note page came out beautiful! Also, his dictation writing is much improved. I have him use lined paper with two spaces for capitals and one space for lower case. He still complains about writing, even though his writing is improving, but I wonder how much of it is just complaining...He is also a perfectionist and will erase and re-write letters if he doesn't think they look good.
I tried to post a picture of his work but it was too big...I guess it's not a case of him not being able to do it anymore.
I was thinking of adding in the Bigger science and such, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go back to LHFHG and Bigger again. We are only 10 or less units through in any of the books. It feels kind of crazy to keep switching but I think it will be a much better placement going forward. I could always do half-speed, which I may not have thought of before. That way they are two guides apart also.
I was concerned about the amount of writing for DS9 so placing him was a challenge, but I ended up going with Bigger (instead of Beyond). He's fine with composing, but it's the physical act of writing that is a struggle. We got a few units in and there was just so much going on...trying to do two guides and just getting him used to all the activities in the boxes...I guess getting all of us used to the programs....My kids participate in a Christmas musical that takes a lot of time in the fall. My oldest was also taking classes at a community college and I had to drive him. So at first I would pack up all our books, lunch, etc. and try to do it while he was in class. It was just too much for me. (I also have some anxiety issues
)So I simplified things for myself and just started doing Beyond with both of them. (I already own all 3 programs.) My DD6 is still learning to read so I do reading and math (Singapore 1A) with her and she "listens in" to the rest of Beyond. She does a lot of coloring/drawing, R&S workbooks, and crafts, which she loves.
It was great to get us through that busy time. But I can see now that DS9 could be doing more. He had been doing cursive and I stopped because I didn't want to get ahead of Bigger. He is doing the dictation out of Bigger because the spelling lists are way too easy, and I've had him copy some parts of the poems here and there. I hesitate to do too much copywork because I'm not sure I understand the whole concept and he seems to struggle with writing so much. But lately I've been sort of testing the waters, if you will, to see what he can do because Beyond seems really much too easy for him. He does independent reading, math, dictation and whatever art activity there is and the rest is me reading aloud, which is fine. I had him do a science lesson from Bigger just to see and his note page came out beautiful! Also, his dictation writing is much improved. I have him use lined paper with two spaces for capitals and one space for lower case. He still complains about writing, even though his writing is improving, but I wonder how much of it is just complaining...He is also a perfectionist and will erase and re-write letters if he doesn't think they look good.
I tried to post a picture of his work but it was too big...I guess it's not a case of him not being able to do it anymore.
I was thinking of adding in the Bigger science and such, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go back to LHFHG and Bigger again. We are only 10 or less units through in any of the books. It feels kind of crazy to keep switching but I think it will be a much better placement going forward. I could always do half-speed, which I may not have thought of before. That way they are two guides apart also.
They get better and better at it, but daily consistency is needed. BHFHG takes around 3 hours to do, and it does take time to teach. But, it is so worth it! Time spent in BHFHG and teaching time spent in BHFHG make the next guide, PHFHG, successful! And it has much more independent work. 
For a student that is 9 yo, with the skills you have described, I would make the switch to BHFHG. I would also move your dd to LHFHG and not add anything to either one. But, will you be able to give it the time and consistency needed? I would really sit down with your schedule to carve out the time you need to teach them each week. It is tough sometimes, I know!