heartofdakota.com

Some of you may remember me. I introduced myself a few weeks back and you all helped tremendously!

However, I got confused and I ended up sending Beyond back. Not, that I didn't like the looks of it!
It's just way over my head to change my approach after being in a classroom for several years.

Anyway, to shorten my story a bit....
Carrie, along with others here, decided that Beyond would be best for my now 2nd grader. I could not get comfortable with changing to different approach plus changing at the end of year. For my comfort, I do need to finish something, long story!

With that aside, I am highly considering Bigger for 3rd grade in the fall. However, I will use my own programs for math, language/reading. Someone suggested on another board to only switch one subject when switching approaches. I am thinking Bible (we haven't actually been incorporating Bible), history and possibly science as a start.
My son likes for me to read to him, but I'm not sure about lots and lots of pages???
How much "sit and listen" time is in the history for Bigger? Also, since my somewhat wiggly son could use a different approach what about the bigger?

I am a stick to the books kind of gal. However, my son is a little too wiggly for some textbooks, but he will get the job done. I would like for him to enjoy school more! Presently, he just wants to get school over, so he can go play!
Sorry, this is long, but you all were such help before!
TIA!
Tina

We've used Beyond...and now Bigger...and we've loved both. It's much more interesting than just textbooks. I think you would both love it!

Hi Tina,
Welcome to the boards!
You have to go with what you think is best for you child, but I know that if you gave Heart of Dakota a try, you would love it! If you have a little wiggle one, like I do, it's especially good for that! I can't speak for Bigger yet. We are just finishing LHFHG and moving on to Beyond. But, I can tell you that the lessons are short, with a lot of hands on things for your child to do. For us, as we spread it out over the day, it takes maybe 2 hours at the most. The lessons are awesome! I can't believe how much my kids are learning using the Charlotte Mason approach. I won't go back!

If you wanted to, you could just jump right into Bigger, I am sure, with no problems. You mentioned that you might do your own math and LA/Reading program. The nice thing about HOD, is that you can easily do that. I know that there are a lot of moms on here that do that. I'm sure some of them will pipe in on here.

Overall, I think you will be very pleased with how managable it is for you child and you. It's all open and go.... no prep work needed.

LeAnna

Thanks inhistiming and LeAnna!

After being up most of the night thinking about this, I don't think I'll be satisfied until I go with Bigger and either start now or wait until fall. We will continue our own lang., and math. For reading, I'm not sure if we'll continue what we have or work with the emerging readers schedule. I will probably just order Bigger and take a look at the reading then.
I still have some decisions to make.
Thanks to you all for chiming in! Maybe, I will be able to sleep tonight and quit worrying so much! Surely, if many of you juggle several children with this, I can hopefully work this out with only one!
Tina

momofone wrote:. Someone suggested on another board to only switch one subject when switching approaches. I am thinking Bible (we haven't actually been incorporating Bible), history and possibly science as a start.
My son likes for me to read to him, but I'm not sure about lots and lots of pages??? Tina

Dear Tina,
I think your "someone" gave you excellent advice and I totally agree with your plan. (That is exactly how I am using Bigger!) If you do choose to go with Bigger (we are LOVING it!) I would stick with your English/Grammar and Math programs especially if they are working for both you and your child! The reading time/sitting time for your son is not too much in Bigger. Remember, boys are just wiggly and more disturbing to you than themselves! I often allow my more wiggly ones to do a coloring page - related to the subject, draw a picture - related to the subject or even build with Legos doing their best to relate it to the subject and sometimes I just make them sit and listen!

Thanks so much for your help juliekay!
You gave me some great ideas. I plan to just take it one little bitty step at a time, when I start.
I did go on and order the Bigger materials with the exception of math and the read alouds. We'll get the read alouds later if this proves to be a good fit for us.

I really like your idea about the legos, drawing and coloring. Using that and relating it to subject matter should help wiggle times!
Thanks again!
Tina

O.k., I have another question! I just ordered Bigger yesterday, so I can't search the book and I'm really wondering....
Can you substitute books from Beyond, in the correct genre, for your storytime? Or, use books from the extension pack in Bigger for storytime? We will be doing Bigger (starting out) at half speed and I looked at several books in the catalog that caught my eye in Beyond's list.

Thanks in advance! You all have been so patient with me sorting all this out!
Tina

momofone wrote:O.k., I have another question! I just ordered Bigger yesterday, so I can't search the book and I'm really wondering....
Can you substitute books from Beyond, in the correct genre, for your storytime? Or, use books from the extension pack in Bigger for storytime? We will be doing Bigger (starting out) at half speed and I looked at several books in the catalog that caught my eye in Beyond's list.

Thanks in advance! You all have been so patient with me sorting all this out!
Tina

I don't think there would be any problem substituting Beyond's storytime books for Biggers. 4 of the Extension books are listed as possible Storytime books in Bigger.

Lee Ann,
Thanks! I don't think it would matter either, but since I'm too unfamiliar with the material, I wanted to ask.

Tina

momofone wrote:Lee Ann,
Thanks! I don't think it would matter either, but since I'm too unfamiliar with the material, I wanted to ask.

Tina

Here's the 4 extension books that are also listed as Storytime choices:
Ben and Me
The Buffalo Knife
By the Great Horn Spoon
Esperanza Rising

oh, thanks so much for listing those!
I've been exploring on this site and I'm pleasantly surprised by the reading level of several of the emerging readers. My son is reading a lot better than I thought. For example, I thought "Frog and Toad" were 1st grade level. I guess since my son could read those last year, I just assumed. I know this is off topic! However, it gives me more confidence in him starting with Bigger possibly now!

We'll just have to work on "listening" to stories a bit more. He loves me reading Magic Tree House to him, even though he can read most of the words himself.
So, maybe the history stories and etc. won't be too difficult!

Tina

Tina,

The ladies have done such a wonderful job of helping you with your questions! I agree that you could use some of the Beyond books for the storytime within Bigger if desired.

To get started with Bigger Hearts, you may wish to begin by doing the left side of the plans one day and the right side the next. This will help ease you into the skills within Bigger Hearts. Then, you can bump up to full-speed when your little guy seems ready.

Enjoy!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks Carrie!
That sounds like a great plan for us. I appreciate your help and everyone else here that has been so supportive.
I will let you all know when box day arrives!

Tina