Do you think Bigger+extensions is comparable to Preparing?

[lovetobehome]

Ok, Ladies...another decision has to be made.
Bigger or Preparing?
DS (almost 10) fits better into Preparing (actually, in many ways he fits into CtC, but we just did ancients and I am not ready to do it again. Plus, I don't want to be way above DD's level). DD 7 fits better in Bigger.
I only want to use ONE program...we have other obligations and 2 programs is too much for us, plus DD would want to be doing what her brother is doing. And the 2yo prevents me from having lots of time to do 2 sep programs.
Other than Preparing having more assignments that are scheduled to be done independently, do you think the assignments in both are similar? I am more comfortable with Preparing, because my son is ahead in a lot of areas, and I think BIgger looks a little light for him, even with extensions. He would easily be doing the extension package in either program. But as far as skills, is much more required in Preparing than Bigger? It looks to me like both have dictation, both have similar poetry, reading...is the science at about the same level in both? FWIW, I am using a different math program and different English.
So I guess I am asking, for those of you who used BIGGER and then went to PREPARING, is there a big difference? If not, then I guess I might use BIGGER. THANKS!

[juliekay]

We had our first taste of HOD via Bigger when we switched mid-year last year. I used it with kids ages: 7,11,12. We enjoyed it very much and my older ones used the extension package. However, I DO think there is a BIG difference in what is required of your student between Bigger and Preparing. My 11.5 & 12.5 year olds are managing fine, but it's been a huge step for my 8 year old. Thankfully, he knew it was coming. So, if this is your first time with HOD and your heart's desire is to stay in one Program than I highly recommend Bigger for your family. Your DD would just be lost in Preparing. Then next year you will have to re-evaluate. If Bigger was right on than Preparing will be your next choice. If Bigger was super easy for him you may want to skip into CTC or even the newest of the HOD Guides!

[Sheila in OK]

I agree with Julie. I'm using Bigger (with Extensions) with an 11yo and it hasn't been too easy for her at all. I think she could've done Preparing just fine, but I also wanted to combine and I have an 8yo ds. The writing in Bigger is challenging enough for him--I think Preparing would've been way too much.

Still haven't decided yet what I'll do next year--whether put them both in Preparing or move dd up to CTC while ds does Preparing--but Bigger has been a good fit for us this year.

ETA: I was thinking more of your 7yo than your 10 yo when I posted the above. Sorry! If you really want to combine, and Bigger is too easy for your ds, you could always get the Preparing manual and use it to 'beef up' some of the Bigger assignments. For example, have him do more written narrations instead of just oral. That is what I'm planning to do, although my dd is pretty 'school-resistant' and so far Bigger w/ Extensions has worked fine for her without a whole lot of tweaking.

[my3sons]

PHFHG is harder than BHFHG (even with the BHFHG extensions), and the dc do take on more skills. I felt like the transition from BHFHG to PHFHG went very smoothly for my ds, but had my ds just come into HOD and not had the prior succession of guides teaching the skills in steps it would have been harder. I think PHFHG would be way too difficult for a 7 yo. Because you'd enjoy combining, I think Bigger Hearts with the extensions would be your best bet. This would be a nice way to start HOD since you are coming into it having not done the previous HOD guides. This first year will be a wonderful year to combine and see how that fits you and each of your dc. I think it will be a good starting point, and BHFHG is an excellent guide. BHFHG extensions include history and science, and doing the suggested extension activities on a rotating basis makes the program appropriate for older dc. The PHFHG guide can always be bought if you wish to follow the written narration guidelines, use the upper levels of dictation, higher level math, use the R & S grammar schedule, etc. - it's an easy way to up the LA/math if you're using the programs HOD does. But if I were you, I'd start with BHFHG and its extensions (and appropriate level of DITHOR, math, grammar) first, and only add more for your oldest if needed.

As with any combining scenario, it is truly best to shoot for the middle academic range of all the dc involved - this helps you avoid it being way too easy for the oldest and way too challenging for the youngest - but it is important to remember it is the "middle" for each of your dc as you go through the year - some things may seem easier for your oldest and harder for your youngest, as is the nature of combining. Thus, the extensions and appropriate levels of LA/math should fit your oldest well, and modifying anything that may be too difficult at first for your youngest will also be a good plan. After you finish combining this first year, you will know better what you want to do next. You may find you love combining and want to continue with that the next year. Or, you may find it easier to separate the 2 as your oldest fits into the upper HOD guides, since the last 4 HOD guides (from CTC on up) will be more independent, as is fitting for these ages. There's not one right plan here for everyone - that's the beauty of HOD, many different teaching combinations are possible - and yet those different teaching scenarios can all result in a happy, successful homeschooling experience. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[lovetobehome]

Thanks, all! I actually used 10 weeks of Bigger, and maybe 4 of Preparing in the past year or so....I started with Bigger then moved to Prep, and then (ashamedly) left HOD for a time. At the time, my son was handling Preparing well, so I think now it might be a bit light for him, but still enjoyable.
I have Bigger in hand now, and Preparing on the way...I wasn't sure which to get, and I found great deals on both. I figured even if I used Prep this year, instead of Bigger, I might separate them next year. Next year, I might skip CtC and go into the newest one, as we have covered ancients multiple times and I am not sure we want to do it again anytime soon. This is why I wanted to know about the difficulty level--because I want to prepare my son this year to go into the new guide next year. I am thinking that will be enough of a leap, but to go from Bigger and skip Prep and CtC would never work. Hmm....
I am thinking I will start both children with Prep now, and if my DD seems lost, I will try to do Bigger with her separately (but I would rather keep them together this year as my 2yo is kind of, shall we say, difficult right now). Or, I could do Prep with both now, and next year do Bigger with my daughter (possibly adding some extensions) and let my son do the new guide.
I have been having my son do Mystery of History and he writes a 1-2 paragraphy summary of the lesson on his own. He has been pushed academically all along, and does fine, but I am looking forward to him savoring things a bit more and focusing on character/personal faith a bit more..My daughter has been doing MOH with us, she listens but is not expected to write anything. She does copywork for her writing, and also does quite a bit of math and LA and reading aloud each day. She hangs in there, but I know it is above her level. She is begging to do Preparing again, she loved Grandpa's Box and CHOW when we did it before...and the poetry!
Does this make sense/sound doable?

[Tree House Academy]

One more vote for Bigger. I am using Bigger with extensions for a 10 year old boy (5th grade) and he is definitely challenged in the work - especially with the extension Science book. If your 7 y/o fits best in Bigger, then I would do Bigger as written for her and Bigger with extensions for your older. I have my son work independently through a lot of Bigger because of his age. He does most of the reading and such on his own and then we come together to discuss it if needed. It is working well for us. We chose Bigger for him because I wanted him to do American History this year. If we hadn't, he would have done preparing. He is definitely NOT ready for CTC.

[lovetobehome]

Thanks, Rebecca! We used Bigger Day 1 today, it worked GREAT!!! More later....

[lovetobehome]

Ok, back to write a bit more. Preparing isn't here yet, so I decided to start with Bigger. We have already done the first 8 or 10 weeks in Bigger (a year or so ago), but I think I will just redo it all because starting at week 10 is a bit odd---they would be starting in the middle of some books and all that. DS did remember that we had done this, but I told him it was OK to just hear it again and enjoy it. Here is what I realized....DS has his own math, english, Wordly Wise, copywork. With Bigger, he is getting poetry (which he wasn't doing before, and level-wise, this makes no difference). Bible in Bigger is lovely--I love the character focus, for all of us, and I think this will be just fine. I know Preparing has them doing a quiet prayer time, but we can work on that this year even w/o Preparing. The history is fine for his level, when I add in the extensions. And the science has extensions too (Plus he has a chemistry class in co-op, so I won't even worry about that. But really, even the science in Bigger will give him lots to think about/ponder, and I love the notebooking pages). They were mesmerized by the storytime (Phillis Wheatley) and I really am enjoying reading it to them. So, in a nutshell, I guess if I am using his level of math/language arts, there is no problem with using Bigger. Plus, DITHOR will be coming, and that will add some more at his level.
PLUS, I realized if I don't do American History now, it will be years until we do. He had MFW Adventures (Amer History) about 3 yrs ago, but he doesn't remember that. And my DD is in 2nd grade, so I think this is a perfect year/time to do American...even though I had not planned it.
So, at this point, I am thinking Bigger will be great. I am my own worst enemy, though. I am always tempted to get panicky over 'not doing enough' or being way too academic-focused. I know I am going to have to fight the urge to worry about Bigger being meant for 2nd and 3rd graders! I really struggle with this sort of thing. I am trying so hard to rest in it though! I like Bigger a lot...and it really is plenty challenging for my DD. To go up to Preparing would be a lot more for her mentally. I have to take deep breaths and remember, constantly, my focus: to train up my children for HIM, to love Him and serve Him. To not get caught up in measuring academics so much and pushing on in that area. Why do I make this so hard? Please, ladies, help hold me accountable to changing my mindset to focus on the beauty of the CM method over the classical hysteria!
By the way, we did all the Bigger stuff first thing, right after breakfast...all the couch stuff came first. That is the quiet, calm peaceful time before the 2yo little one gets up. I usually do the math/english/core academic stuff at that time (see my focus?). But I decided in order to enjoy this, I had to give it the first place or priority. I am so glad I did, we cuddled and discussed and read, it was wonderful! If only I can stay in this place of CALM HOMESCHOOLING. It was a delightful day! They were done by 1, and it was a good solid day, so they have spent the afternoon doing a lemonade stand! I am feeling like CM would approve of our day

[Tree House Academy]

I "know" you from the WTM board and I was about to suggest that very thing....that it is really hard to move into the Charlotte Mason style and stop thinking the WTM way. However, once I was able to do this, my kids started really coming into their own with school. It has been such a blessing for us! I hope it will be for your dc too!

[lovetobehome]

Yes, I 'know' you from there, too...remember the paypal discussion, LOL?!?!
I actually have decided that site is bad for my mental health!!! I am trying to stay away from it. This is a much better environment! Reading there makes me anxious, stressed, and turns my focus to the mad race to make little geniuses. I am actually considering putting WTM on my list of banned websites in my k9 software! I can't handle it in a healthy way!!!
Thanks for encouraging me...knowing you have your 10yo doing Bigger makes me feel better...it shouldn't matter, but it does.

[Carrie]

I'm so glad that you had a great first day with Bigger Hearts. I agree that your reasoning makes good sense, as a trip through American history now would be a good idea. It will also give you an opportunity to combine your kiddos well by using the extensions, rather than pulling your younger daughter along with your son. There are many skills woven into Bigger Hearts that are so good to have. No matter what you decide to do however, you have two great options with Bigger Hearts and Preparing Hearts. We pray that the Lord will give you peace with your decision in finding His best for your family.

Blessings,
Carrie