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All,
We are new to HOD this year and I have an 8 and 10 year old using Preparing. Oral and written narrations, dictation and poetry study are new to us. We are enjoying the work overall. I am thinking of using Bigger next year with a then 9 year old and 11 year old. The 9 year old would do the program as written, using the next level of dictation in Preparing. The 11 year old would do all of Bigger, all extensions and the next level in dictation found in Preparing. I would just keep on in R&S english and also our own math (we do not use Singapore). I LOVE American history (not so much ancient history) and am drooling over all the books in Bigger. I have looked over alot of them and don't think they would be below a 6th grader. Using Bigger this year is not an option, as we are doing Classical Conversations and Preparing just works with it better for this year. ( We probably won't do CC next year. ) I feel Preparing is better suited to 4th grade, as my 3rd grader is finding there to be a lot of work. So, she would hit CTC in 5th grade, instead of 4th and my now 5th grader would get CTC in 7th (with extensions). I guess I am looking for an okay to do this, or would it really be a big step backward? Thanks in advance,
Brenda

I too am thinking of doing Bigger again next year, but only for my now 3rd grader who is also finding Preparing quite a challenge this year as I cannot see him being ready for CTC..... We'll see how the year goes! My older ones will move on to the newest guide. However, having used Bigger last year with my then 11 & 12 year old I don't think it would be too "young" for your oldest. AND we just so enjoyed the little bit of the guide that we were able to accomplish as we only finished up our year with it! Just understand that it will be easier in the aspect that it requires a lot less of your student when it comes to research, narration, writing/copy work, and art. I would definitely add the extensions for your older child. Lots to think about! For me for now - back to Preparing!

I don't know about going a 'step back' since this is my first year with HOD, but my dc are almost the exact same ages as yours will be next year and we are doing Bigger. It's going really well. We love the books, and it is really quite rich in content for my 11yo, especially when you add in the extension readings. I'm glad we didn't miss it. Next year we'll be ready to move on to world history again, but I'm so glad to have this year of focused American history!

I was thinking this same thing yesterday. We are on Unit 11 in Preparing and are loving it. However, my dd is only 9 and has had limited American History. I am concerned that she won't have American History for many years if we continue on to CTC after Preparing, so I'm thinking of going back to Bigger next year. Or should I stop Preparing now and start Bigger?

Blessings,
Lisa

I'm in the same boat! I really want to do Bigger Hearts next year with both of my sons, but I think that's probably not the best thing for us to do. I have everything we need for Bigger Hearts and I just feel so sad when I think my oldest son may not get to enjoy it. The one big thing that is making me hesitate is that the Science in CTC would be perfect for my oldest son for next year. I'm not so concerned about the history because I think the history extensions in CTC look just right for a 7th grader.

I'm just not sure what we will do! I think my youngest son would do very well with Bigger Hearts next year. I'd love my oldest to have a year of American History. I think that after we have gone through Preparing, I will be better able to adapt Bigger Hearts for my older son. After all these years of homeschooling, I feel like I am finally learning to be a good teacher... thanks to Carrie's lesson plans!

I'm gonna be praying about it, for sure.

Marysmom wrote:I was thinking this same thing yesterday. We are on Unit 11 in Preparing and are loving it. However, my dd is only 9 and has had limited American History. I am concerned that she won't have American History for many years if we continue on to CTC after Preparing, so I'm thinking of going back to Bigger next year. Or should I stop Preparing now and start Bigger?

Blessings,
Lisa

Lisa, personally, if I were in your situation, I would continue with Preparing and do Bigger Hearts the next year. If you are in Unit 11, you've covered quite a bit of territory! I'd just continue with it and enjoy it. You will touch on American History towards the end of A Child's History of the World. You could easily add a few American History titles as read-alouds, free reading or books for DITHOR, if you are doing that. That's what I'll be doing this year. Then, I'll decide where to go after that! I think all the books in Preparing are just so perfect for a 9 year old and the skills that your child will be developing in Preparing can easily be transferred to the work in Bigger Hearts.

Just my two cents.

Brenda,

I think it's hard to tell right now how well a backward move would fit your kiddos, as there will be much growth in your kiddos academicly (and hopefully spiritually) by year-end. I am a planner to the hilt and understand your thought process, but until you get closer to the end of the year you won't honestly have a good measuring stick as to what would fit your kiddos best.

Typically, we recommend forward motion with the HOD guides if at all possible as skills within one guide really help prepare a child for the skills needed within the next guide. If a child is having a very tough time within a guide, then it would be wise to move backwards. If, however, the child is doing quite well with the level of work, but the history cycle is the driving force behind a move backward, we would then encourage you to focus on best placement skill-wise (with the history cycle aside).

However, we know that each family is unique and has unique needs and as we get closer to your year-end, you'll be able to see more clearly what will meet your family goals best.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie and Ladies,
Thanks for all of your thoughtful responses, that's why I posted my question! After some thought and prayer and talking with my girls, we have all agreed and feel fine with continuing Preparing this year. I know that I will have to re-evaluate by the end of the year. I feel as another poster said though, I don't want my oldest 2 to miss Bigger! I have been pre-reading some of the books and really enjoying them ( I am also pre-reading CTC books). I don't want to miss anything either, and as I said before, I love American history. I have a K'er this year that I hope will be a HODie all the way through (except for LHTH), so I will get to enjoy it all with her. Again, thank you all,
Brenda