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Wow, I just received my materials and am I ever excited. I contemplated doing HOD for 4 maybe 5 months now. I'm glad I just finally ordered. Now I'm wishing I ordered the Emerging Readers set and Bigger extensions. I may have to put in another order! Did it ever come fast! I was contemplating using something different for my oldest to do with American History but looking at Bigger, she really wants just o do HOD so I think I will order the extensions.

Now my question is: How can I effectively do Beyond with my 6yr. old at half-pace. I don't really think she would be ready for Bigger in Grade 2 so I want to draw it out for a couple years and maybe add in some other stuff down the road. Would doing left side one day and right side the other be balanced? I think they should be doing reading a math each day. Anyone care to share ideas? I know someone posted a great schedule for doing Bigger at half-speed. I'm sure it will fall into place as I get into it but I'd love to see what others have done.

Thanks,
Shannon

Have you looked at Bigger (day by day) without the extensions? I am doing both right now - Beyond with an almost 6 year old and Bigger (w/extensions) with a 10 year old. I think, once you get into Bigger, you will see that it can definitely be done with a younger child. If the hangup is, say, the amount of writing, you can tweek it and not require so much. Of course, if the issue is reading comprehension (meaning when you read to her), then I see what you mean. Hmmm...I have no suggestions, but want to offer you the best of luck and hope that you enjoy your year! Sounds like we are using the same programs. We are 2 weeks in and LOVE it!

I'm slowing Beyond down for my 6 yo son by doing HOD work 3 days a week. We'll do all the boxes for each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. On Monday and Friday we'll do math, copywork (not from HOD) and reading (also not from HOD), plus any extras we have time for, oh yeah, and run errands. I'm slowing both Beyond and Bigger down in this way in order to have my ds be finishing 8th grade when he completes the HOD guides that are currently planned by Carrie.

Shannon,

I'm so glad that you've received your materials and have the books in hand! How exciting to really dig in and look in depth at what the year ahead holds with HOD.

The ladies have already given you some great tips for stretching Beyond out over 2 years. I am a visual learner, so at our house I've found it easy to do left side of the plans one day and the right side the next when stretching a guide. I agree that doing math and reading (when the kiddos are learning phonics or emerging as a reader) are best done at least 4 days a week to get consistency.

Another way we've enjoyed stretching is doing a full day of Beyond 4 days a week and then going 9 weeks into the next school year to finish. We'll likely be doing that this upcoming year with our own 6 year old in Beyond.

Blessings,
Carrie