How best to transition?

[StillJulie]

First of all, is it totally awful to scrap some of our stuff mid-way b/c I'm eager to switch to HOD? I'm thinking of Story of the World and Exploring Botany (apologia series). They're working okay for DD1, but not so much for DS1.

Also, if I switch to Singapore math, I'd rather do it sooner than later since I'll be starting them "behind." But then I feel like I'm wasting what I've already bought. Some of it I should be able to resell, so it's not that's a complete loss.

The more I think about it, I'm really eager for DD1 to start in Bigger (rather than Preparing, which she would be capable of) just b/c there's so much in there I think she'd really love and enjoy! I'll need to decide whether or not to have her continue on with the Rod & Staff reading (that's in addition to DITHOR, which she's already doing), as well as the Easy Grammar and Daily Grams. For sure she'll continue as is in the R & S 3rd grade English and 4th grade spelling.

I want to start DS1 in Little Hearts. Right now he mainly does a few phonics pages, Bob Jones math, a Pathway reader, and handwriting. So we'll add in a history that I know he'll enjoy much better than SOTW. Same with the science.


Anyhow, I need to feed them supper and I've lost my train of thought.

I'll take any advice/suggestions you have for switching over mid-year.

[Carrie]

StillJulie,

There are many, many moms on the board here who have switched to HOD mid-year, so I know how it can be once you start thinking of the switch. It's hard to think of anything else!

In deciding which kiddos to switch over first, I'd start with the child you feel is not getting much out of his/her current program. From what you've shared below, it sounds like your ds1 is the one who would benefit from a change of pace right now. Also, starting in LHFHG will be the easiest switch to make. I'd do LHFHG for a couple of weeks first. You'll want to try to do the left side of the plans in one sitting, if possible. I also do the Storytime box within this sitting if time allows. Usually it takes us about 30-35 min. to do the left side of LHFHG (with the child finishing the last activity at the end of the session taking longer on his own if needed). You can keep on going with your own phonics, math, Pathway reading, and handwriting.

Once you hit your stride with LHFHG, I'd add in either Bigger or Preparing Hearts. When deciding between those two programs, I would go with the one that fits your child best on the placement chart right now. The placement chart is very accurate. When you start with either Bigger or Preparing Hearts, I would definitely drop either Rod and Staff reading or Drawn into the Heart of Reading, as you only need one complete reading program. I also would drop the Easy Grammar and Daily Grams, as doing those along with Rod and Staff is really grammar overkill. That will free you up to have the time you'll need to do Bigger or Preparing.

In having so much grammar and reading within your daughter's schedule, it leaves less time for other needed areas (or makes for a very long school day). So, by choosing one solid program in each area, you will have solid reading and grammar coverage but will also have more time to devote to other needed areas (areas which over time may get neglected if you continue with such a heavy reading/grammar emphasis). If you plan to continue with Rod and Staff spelling, then do not do the dictation passages. Choose one way to cover spelling as well.

I agree that it would be wise to make the switch to Singapore as soon as possible, unless your daughter enjoys her math and is successful with it. If so, then you could continue until year end and switch her math next year. It is up to you! It is definitely a good idea to switch in stages, making a smoother transition for all involved!

Blessings,
Carrie

[StillJulie]

I started my 3yo and 5yo on Little Hands this week. The two older just beg to participate as well. The 5yo is the most reluctant, and he's the one that most needs it. Figures... I had all the materials for that already, so that was easy enough to get going.

I'm still waiting on some of the resources for Little Hearts, but I did start my 7yo on the 1A math. He liked the activities with it and was thrilled to have much less writing than the Bob Jones we've been using. Would the Reading Lesson be appropriate to use with him? If so, would I find where he's at in it, or start at the beginning and just breeze through the stuff he already knows? He's able to read short and long vowel one syllable words, also knows several of the blends (ch, th, sh, ing, ang, etc.) The Pathway readers have three books at the first grade level, the first of which we finished today. He generally reads a story to me/day in there. His handwriting leaves a lot to be desired. I have a Rod & Staff book (also a Reason for Handwriting) that he works in daily for that. (just one or the other, and usually only a partial lesson - one line)

For my oldest, she did do a year of American history with MFW Adventures, but different resources than Bigger uses. We're about 2/3 of the way through Story of the World, Volume 1, which is ancient history. She hasn't done a hymn study. She's doing a Bible Lifepac right now that she's nearly done with (neither of us are impressed with that). This is her first complete year of cursive, so I'd like her to finish that before I start Preparing (maybe that isn't necessary?). She can't stand Horizons math, and is very eager to start something new that has fun activities like she's seeing her brothers do. Reading is her greatest strength. It would be good for us to focus on DITHOR. Hanging my head in shame, right now she does it pretty much completely independently, so I know we aren't doing it as intended... I really need to go ahead and read what she's reading so that I'm better able to discuss books with her. As it is now, she reads so much I haven't kept up with her. She's done very little poetry study (just what's in First Language Lessons, as well as an occasional poem in Rod & Staff English). She's expressed interest in that.

[my3sons]

First of all, is it totally awful to scrap some of our stuff mid-way b/c I'm eager to switch to HOD? I'm thinking of Story of the World and Exploring Botany (apologia series). They're working okay for DD1, but not so much for DS1.

Also, if I switch to Singapore math, I'd rather do it sooner than later since I'll be starting them "behind." But then I feel like I'm wasting what I've already bought. Some of it I should be able to resell, so it's not that's a complete loss.

The more I think about it, I'm really eager for DD1 to start in Bigger (rather than Preparing, which she would be capable of) just b/c there's so much in there I think she'd really love and enjoy! I'll need to decide whether or not to have her continue on with the Rod & Staff reading (that's in addition to DITHOR, which she's already doing), as well as the Easy Grammar and Daily Grams. For sure she'll continue as is in the R & S 3rd grade English and 4th grade spelling.

I want to start DS1 in Little Hearts. Right now he mainly does a few phonics pages, Bob Jones math, a Pathway reader, and handwriting. So we'll add in a history that I know he'll enjoy much better than SOTW. Same with the science.


Anyhow, I need to feed them supper and I've lost my train of thought.

I'll take any advice/suggestions you have for switching over mid-year.

I have a hard time setting things aside that I have bought, which has caused me to continue with things not working sometimes. When I've finally given myself permission to set them aside or sell them, it has been like a weight's been lifted off of my shoulders, and I've usually found myself wondering why I didn't do it earlier. That's been my experience - but yours could be different. If it were me, I would scrap whatever I'm feeling is just not working for me or the dc. Then, for the things that are working, choose a natural stopping point and finish just to that point. Or, I have sometimes chosen a date we are stopping no matter what - and how far we get, we get. Then, I've chosen a start date for the new program. I think it is important to not be doubling up in subject areas when beginning a new program. It doesn't give the new program a fair run because it puts undue stress on both the mom and dc to do double the work in subjects - and then that is their first impression of the new program - more work, more time, oh no!

Is there one of your dc more at a stopping point? It would be nice to start one HOD program first if possible, and to do it in it entirety for 2-4 weeks before starting the next HOD program. I'd say your ds doing LHFHG would be an easy start, and he sounds like he could start that now without too much upheaval. Then, maybe next your dd in whatever program you choose, either BHFHG or PHFHG. It would be great to start that program half-speed for a couple of weeks, and then begin full-speed with it. As far as the R & S Reading and DITHOR, maybe you could alternate the two? I'm partial to DITHOR, but if you wanted to, you could do a genre of DITHOR, then a month or so of R & S, etc. Maybe you could use the R & S books for free reading, or even plug them into the appropriate genres for DITHOR? I'm not as familiar with those, but I know other people have done that with different books from other programs they've had on hand. The R & S 3 grammar could just be continued, and I'm sure the spelling could too.

Keep praying, and I will too!
In Christ,
Julie