Combine or separate? Beyond or Bigger
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:22 pm
Ok. I've written before about my daughter, but maybe I need to reevaluate my decision.
My daughter is 7, and will be 8 in the fall. She's a strong reader with good comprehension skills. She loves challenging books, for example, and recently finished The Moffats and Pinky Pye. She will also go through a few level 2/3 reading books every day just for fun. She is very strong in language arts and is a good speller. Sometimes she likes to write and illustrate story books for her own amusement. In addition to doing LHFHG with her sisters, I also get her a lot of the recommended reading books from the appendix of LHFHG from the library. I never felt like she was lacking this year, because she kept herself busy on her own. She's also finishing most of the R&S 2nd grade subjects, including Preparing to Build. I was doing R&S before I found out about HOD. She's very easy going and a joy to teach but now I'm completely off track with her because I didn't factor all this information in during the beginning of the school year.
Plus, she has already read American Pioneers and Patriots. I found it in her room one day, and she confessed to reading it.
One bonus in keeping the children together is that school gets done every day. We're pretty much on track and Lord willing, we'll finish out the school year mid-may. I also a four year old and a toddler in the mix. I don't want to drive myself crazy and over do it. BUT...
I think my daughter is ready for Bigger. I bought the Bigger Economy Package just to get a feel for the program, but I know my 5 and 6 (will be 6 and 7) will not be ready for Bigger in the fall, so I'd have to keep them in Beyond.
I will come right out and say I'm afraid to do 2 programs. But I think my oldest is ready for more of a challenge and at this point I think I might be holding her back if I don't move her up. She loves biographies, and I think she'd really enjoy that aspect of Bigger. Plus, I plan on starting her in DITHOR asap and I already have the manuel, but I just have to figure it out.
I would welcome any suggestions.
Thank you.
Joy
My daughter is 7, and will be 8 in the fall. She's a strong reader with good comprehension skills. She loves challenging books, for example, and recently finished The Moffats and Pinky Pye. She will also go through a few level 2/3 reading books every day just for fun. She is very strong in language arts and is a good speller. Sometimes she likes to write and illustrate story books for her own amusement. In addition to doing LHFHG with her sisters, I also get her a lot of the recommended reading books from the appendix of LHFHG from the library. I never felt like she was lacking this year, because she kept herself busy on her own. She's also finishing most of the R&S 2nd grade subjects, including Preparing to Build. I was doing R&S before I found out about HOD. She's very easy going and a joy to teach but now I'm completely off track with her because I didn't factor all this information in during the beginning of the school year.
Plus, she has already read American Pioneers and Patriots. I found it in her room one day, and she confessed to reading it.
One bonus in keeping the children together is that school gets done every day. We're pretty much on track and Lord willing, we'll finish out the school year mid-may. I also a four year old and a toddler in the mix. I don't want to drive myself crazy and over do it. BUT...
I think my daughter is ready for Bigger. I bought the Bigger Economy Package just to get a feel for the program, but I know my 5 and 6 (will be 6 and 7) will not be ready for Bigger in the fall, so I'd have to keep them in Beyond.
I will come right out and say I'm afraid to do 2 programs. But I think my oldest is ready for more of a challenge and at this point I think I might be holding her back if I don't move her up. She loves biographies, and I think she'd really enjoy that aspect of Bigger. Plus, I plan on starting her in DITHOR asap and I already have the manuel, but I just have to figure it out.
I would welcome any suggestions.
Thank you.
Joy
In looking down the road, it sounds like you have two more little peaches coming up that will eventually need their own program, so you'll get your chance to use 2 HOD programs. However, since you're having a good school year and your daughter is wonderful at extending her own learning by reading, creating, and writing you are doing just fine with her. Charlotte Mason believed strongly in kiddos having plenty of free time in their afternoons to pursue their own interests, which your daughter is excelling at doing. 
