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Hello. I was wondering if someone could tell me about the science in bigger (what is studied, how long it takes daily, etc.). Also, would the science work even if I were not using the history in bigger? I discovered HOD after many long hours of planning curriculum with my husband, so I don't think I can totally switch this year, but I am wondering if bigger would work for us for science, bible, and some of the language arts. We are studing early american history this year. Do you think this would work? Thanks so much for your input.

Hi Lizzie,

Welcome to the HOD boards!

You said that you're studying early American history, and that you're looking at the Bigger program--right? We're not using Bigger yet, but I do have the manual and have read through it. I love the science that is in Bigger, and to me, it seems a nice balance of challenge and fun. I think the science topics are coordinated with the history---like you'd study about the seashore while learning about the explorers, and learn about John Audubon while studying of the woods. I do know there are several inventors to study in Bigger also.

I don't know your situation about not switching (history?), but if you're looking at using Bigger---I think you'd find all you'd want already planned out for you each day. This is what I love about the HOD programs---it's all planned out for me, and I don't have to do anything but pick out my program and go from there. Is there some reason why the Bigger history wouldn't work for you this year with what you already have planned?

Thank you for your response Vicki. The reason I can't totally switch is because I have already planned and bought most of my curriclum. My husband spent tons of time with me working on it and I just don't see returning everything and telling my husband forget everything we spent so much time on. We are going to be using beautiful feet early american history. So do you think that the science in bigger would not be as meaningful without doing the history in bigger? Thanks for helping!

Oh my! You're so lucky to have a husband who spends time planning lessons with you! That's so sweet!

I do have the list of BF history books for early Am. history, and I think you could probably follow along fine with most of those. It's all about the time period anyway, and since you've already bought everything, I can understand that it would be tough to return it all and start over.

This is one suggestion--and please take it with the gentle intent I say it with---but could you just print off the two history cores for Bigger from the Baldwin Project? I'm asking that because so many of the books in the BF list work nicely with the history cores from Bigger, and I think what you have planned could possibly be a great fit. You could use some of them for storytime reading or just extra history readings. (Sorry, I hope I'm making sense...)

I think there's just so much meat in the Bigger program--science activities, poetry study, character study, Bible study, geography lessons---it seems like you could make it all work together if that is your goal. I'd say, by all means, go for it! I can't see why what you've planned wouldn't work nicely along side the Bigger studies.

Hi there. How wonderful your husband planned with you. I think you could make HOD work for you. I understand what you are saying about not wanting to give up what you planned and so with that not being an option I really think Vicki has a great idea. If nothing else you could just match the time frame with the History. I think it is hard for us here to imagine doing that because the way Carrie has it all laid out is so wonderful it is almost inconceivable not to use the History as written. But She has also written it to be flexible and I do think you could use the rest and mold it around the History you have. I would really match it up and I would consider adding the two main spines or reading them online or at the very least correlating the time frame. And I want to tell you that I can relate to where you are at in a way. We started HOD somewhere between mid to three quarters of the year done. It was the absolute best hsing decision we have ever made. Welcome to HOD and good luck with your decision.

Thank you so much for your help ladies!

Lizzie,

I just wanted to welcome you to the HOD board! Vicki and water2wine have done a wonderful job of helping your with your questions. I agree completely with what they advised!

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Lizzie,

This is great. I am planning way ahead, but am interested to hear in a few months how you have incorporated BF Early Am History into BHFHG. I have that as well and am trying to fit it in one of these years.

Carrie does such a great job incorporating everything, but sometimes when we have stuff we can use it as a supplement.

Success with the planning.