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Okay, I'm still mulling over this decision and needing some more help. I'm feeling my oldest would probably do best with CTC, my second oldest (will be 9 in the fall) fits into Bigger, my 6 yr. old fits into Beyond and my 4 yr. old fits into Little Hands. Those are the guides in a 'perfect' world (with a 'perfect' mom ) While it has been suggested to me to put my 9yr. old and 6yr. old together in Beyond and used the right side of Bigger for my 9 yr. old, I am shying away from that as I feel she needs to be pushed a bit and do the Bigger history and Science as well so I'd really like her to that in Bigger.
I could do Little Hearts with both of my youngers, however my youngest does not know any letters yet so I would be pulling him up and possibly doing Little Hands with him and adding Beyond LA for my 6yr. old. Thus I'm purchasing every guide except Preparing next year. Does anyone do this? Is there another way I could work this out? At least if I put each child at their own level I am only purchasing 4 guides.

Typing this I just thought of a possible alternative: Having the younger ones do Little Hands and Beyond at half speed.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much for your help,
Shannon

I'm not sure of the details, just wanted to mention that putting them in LHFHG doesn't have to be scratched just b/c the 4yo doesn't know letters. Phonics is scheduled in so you could just start from the beginning of a phonics book and take it nice and slow. If you did Reading Made Easy, which is what we use, you could do a lesson then use 1 worksheet page per day for the week (minus the copywork page) to make it a nice, slow pace. Then bump it up a bit at 5yrs old and do maybe 2 lessons a week at first, then the recommended every other day but with review between. They worksheet pages are great fun and great for helping keep the pace you want with solid reinforcement of concepts.

There's always the option to do LHTH and add in the right level phonics/math for the 6yo.

I see from previous posts that you've been trying to figure this out for a long time. I'm trying to be practical here, so please keep that in mind.

First of all, I wouldn't be too concerned with the 4 year old when you have others that really need the education at this point. In our state kids aren't required to formally be enrolled in school until the age of 6. How is it in yours? I would worry about the older kids, and then try to fit the 4 year old in when you have their situation figured out. Plus, I also recommend Leap Frog DVD for letters and sounds. They're fun, the kids learn, and it will free up your schedule for 30 minutes. Hey, that's something!

For starters, I wouldn't have all the kids start their programs at the same time. I would work my way down from the oldest to the youngest. I find routines to be very helpful. From what I understand, CTC is mostly independent. That will aleviate some of your stress from a teaching perspective.

Once everything falls into place with your oldest, then I would concentrate on your 9 year old, who falls into Bigger. Will you be adding the extension package? If not, that will really cut down on the time. For example, if your 9 year old does Preparing to Build English 2, that probably won't take more than 10 - 15 minutes. A lot of the required subjects are very thorough, but not very time consuming.

We just finished up LHFHG with my 5, 6 and 7 year old. My 7 year old also did 2nd grade work also, but I wanted to keep them together for convenience sake. This is an excellent program, and it only takes about an hour and a half. Would you consider starting your 6 year old with this program, just for your own sanity? As long as your child is working at his/her own level in phonics, reading and math, the rest of the program is completely enjoyable. The Burgess Thornton books are a perfect "starter" for narration. Each chapter begins with a review of the previous one, and they are great for teaching character. My children loved these books.

LHFHG would simplify things, but if your child is "ready" for Beyond, then don't mind me. It was just me trying to be practical and helpful. I have the Beyond and Bigger manuels, and I see how each one increases in expectations and work levels.

I think it is possible to coordinate 3 - 4 programs, although it will take some effort. Once you are able to get each child situated in their respective program, I think it could be managed.

Just my 2 cents.

Best wishes.

Joy