Anyone use Beyond for 2nd grade? (long)

[Amey]

Hi Gals,

I know the answer to this question is yes, that some of you have used Beyond for 2nd, I guess I am just needing some advice.
I am currently doing LHFHG with ds 6 for first grade and my 4 yo ds is tagging along. DS 6 actually placed in Beyond on the placement chart, but because I wanted ds 4 to be involved (and entertained) I went with Little Hearts. Well, three weeks into it I am realizing some things..learning curve Ds 4 does NOT want to "do school" with us. He would rather cut up paper, play with play-doh, climb the walls, terrorize small farm animals..you get the drift. He will do the Rhymes In Motion with us and enjoys some of the scripture memory activities, but after that he's gone Ds 6 is more quiet natured, very smart, loves to be read to etc. The issue is that ds 6 is not so keen on the Rhymes In Motion and some of the activities/books are a little young for him. We are using a separate LA and math program so I think it will be fine to just stick it out and tweak here and there for the rest of this year..but my question is about next year.

If he is too mature for Little Hearts right now, then by the end of the year won't he be too mature to do Beyond for 2nd grade? I want to do future programs "as-is" without separate LA etc. but I want him to be challenged by the program too. So, do I just skip Beyond and go on to Bigger even though we'll miss the history portion? Or do I just do Beyond and tweak some more next year? See my dilemma? The placement chart is right on and now I wish I would have just stuck to it, but I was determined to only do one program this year and thought I could involve my 4 yo this way. *sigh* Any thoughts? What would you do? Thanks for reading this far

[netpea]

I did LHFHG with my son and the first grade books at age 5. When he was 6, Beyond was just coming out and we decided to try something different. We came back to Beyond at Age 7 and used it as 2nd grade, it was perfect. Beyond adds Poetry readings, Poetry copywork, spelling, a timeline and other things. It seemed just right for my 7yo although we did the math from Bigger because he was ahead in Math. We also went ahead and started cursive. I think you will be pleased with Beyond for a 7yo.

[inHistiming]

I used Beyond...for my daughter in 1st and 2nd 'grade (we only did half the 1st year, then the 2nd half the next year). At age 6, turning 7 in January, the readings were actually still a bit beyond her understanding...that is not the case for everyone. Last year, she was 7 turning 8, when we picked it back up and she did great. She was able to answer the questions and do the work with much more ease. I think you would probably be fine to do Beyond... next year. However, you could always get Beyond...now and use that for the rest of this year, especially if your son placed there on the chart. You could continue to use LHFHG with your 4 yo or put it on the back burner until next year when he may be more ready to tackle the material. I think skipping Beyond... and going straight to Bigger...may not be the best idea. Each manual builds on the next, so the writing and other activities in Bigger...could prove to be a bit too much for your son next year when he's just 7, if he hasn't gotten acclimated to the work in Beyond....You know your child and his abilities the best, so you'll have to determine if he could handle the jump. These are just my thoughts. I'm sure you'll get more advice soon.

[my3sons]

I agree with inHistiming - I wouldn't skip Beyond. It really did a great job of preparing my ds for Bigger..., and Bigger... did a great job of preparing my ds for Preparing... The programs really do build upon each other, so why not take advantage of that built-in help in our teaching? If I were you, I think I'd shelf LHFHG to do with your little one later, and get Beyond... to do now. I've found the placement chart to be really accurate in placing our dc, and finding that best fit for each of our dc has really helped our homeschooling go more smoothly. If funds permit and your 4 yo places in LHTH, you may also want to order that and do that with your 4 yo. You'd set yourself up for a super rotation of guides that way! You'd always get to teach something new the next year, and the time increments would be very manageable. Of course, you can always just wait a year with your 4 yo. I think the main concern is getting the right program for your older child, and you already have decided it's Beyond..., so why not order it and get to enjoying it? HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Jen in Va]

When I was going through this decision back in April, I found that my son also placed very well into Beyond on the LA and math charts, however I knew that he would struggle with the longer readings. So I went with LHFHG instead and have been very pleased with the results. He is doing much better sitting and listening, as well as following the stories, and being able to answer questions about them. I think to have thrown him into Beyond would have been overwhelming for him. That being said, if the listening comprehension is not an issue for your son, and in all other areas he places into Beyond--make the switch. You don't want him to dread school because he's bored or finds it babyish.

[Amey]

Thank you all for your responses! So, definitely DON'T skip "Beyond" is what I'm hearing! Okay, got it! I don't know that buying Beyond right now is an option for us as we are In Mexico and it's hard for me to receive weighty boxes without a HUGE tax (and outrageous shipping)...so people visiting from the states usually have to bring that stuff for us. I'll have to pray and see what the Lord wants and if He can make it happen! I do so appreciate your advice and experience, thanks ladies for your help!

[Vicki]

I am using Beyond with my just-turned 8 y/o. We are going to finish up the book, as I really think he's not ready for Bigger yet. I love the history in Bigger, and the lessons are so amazing. I just think that the study of the foundation, settling and expansion of our country or "outers" (folks who discovered and settled) is something that is great for a child to know before going onward to discover about the "inners" of our history (folks who did great things). I also think it will make the big picture make so much more sense next year for Bigger, and you shouldn't have to answer so many "How did people get over here in America" questions. KWIM?

I will say that I am adding in some picture storybooks to go along with our study, just so that we can "see" what things were like during these times. N. C. Wyeth's Pilgrims has beautiful pictures, Paul Revere's Ride, again, another title with great pictures by Ted Rand, and also The Floating House for a look at those people who traveled along the Ohio River.

[Mommamo]

What if you make a plan to have Beyond brought to you next time someone come to visit, and in the meantime double up on LHFHG and just let your 4 yo play for right now? I think you could easily go through LHFHG a little faster, and maybe your ds would like the readings if they were longer instead of 1 chapter at a time (I'm thinking of the Burgess books). And then you'd be ready to start next time someone came to visit.

[my3sons]

What if you make a plan to have Beyond brought to you next time someone come to visit, and in the meantime double up on LHFHG and just let your 4 yo play for right now? I think you could easily go through LHFHG a little faster, and maybe your ds would like the readings if they were longer instead of 1 chapter at a time (I'm thinking of the Burgess books). And then you'd be ready to start next time someone came to visit.

I love this idea Ashley! Very good idea! I wish I was coming to Mexico - I'd take it along for you - but in the meantime, why not do 2 a day of LHFHG? You could do one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. We've done that before too, with LHTH, and liked it.

In Christ,
Julie

[Mommamo]

I know! I was wishing I was going to Mexico too!

[Amey]

Hmmm...just when I think I am going to have to change everything and figure out how to afford Beyond and get it here to Mexico, we have a GREAT day with Little Hearts! I sat down and talked with my six year old about Little Hearts..turns out he only didn't like ONE of the rhymes. Today, I was just going to skip it and he said "Mom, what about our Rhymes In Motion?" So we did it and he was totally into it! Then we made the Egyptian collars to go along with our Bible story about Joseph and they both LOVED it..4 yo son participated etc. I have tweaked their schedule and am giving more frequent breaks, so I am hoping that will solve my issues with ds 4. And we are bulking up the read aloud time with ds 6 and adding other books. I SO hope this works out! Thank you all for your advice and helping me think it through. I'll keep you updated on our progress!