heartofdakota.com

Hi all,
Even though we are only ready to begin Week 13 in Beyond, I'm looking to next year. I'm so torn, and would like some input as to whether to move into Bigger Hearts or Preparing as our next guide.

We are loving Beyond. I'm using it with my just turned 8 y/o dd and 6 1/2 y/o ds. As you can see, one hits the young side of the recommended age range, and the other hits the upper side of the recommended age range. While much of it is "just right" as written for the younger one, I add things for my older one (more challenging grammar, science, spelling). The writing is a challenge for the younger, but I've gradually gotten him copying one line from the selected poem daily, plus occasionally writing out the spelling words. The older is doing DITHOR, so that's been great. The younger is using TRL. We do MathU See, so that's not an issue.

Well, instead of going into more details, here's my question. Do you think it's better to use an advanced guide and simplify for the younger, or a use a simpler guide and beef it up for the older? I know Bigger has extensions, but isn't that mostly just for the reading side of things? Either way, I'd like to keep them with the same history/science/poetry, etc. They'll have to do their own math, spelling, reading, etc. But part of me doesn't want to miss Bigger Hearts and the bio approach to Am History. My kids LOVE American history. They are into Liberty's kids and such, and I think they'd enjoy it. BUT... Well, I guess I have a hang-up with having my daughter on the older side of the range. I want to make sure she is challenged and adequately prepared.

So what do some of you think? How's it going if you've used Bigger with extensions? Like I said, it seems to be working with Beyond as long as I add some things for the older. Do you think it would work to jump to Preparing next year, cater to the older and simplify for my younger, who would be about 7 1/2 at that time (so slightly below the recommended age)? Would it take too much simplifying? Would the readings lose the younger one?

I know for this year, I had similar questions, and the ladies on the board recommended to go with Beyond for the sake of the younger. I have to say they were right. So it might be the same here....

Thanks so much!

I would opt for Bigger with Extensions. I am using Bigger with a 9 and a 7 year old. I think it works well for both of them. The only extension book we are currently using is the history spine. I think I might add some of the ones later in the year for the 9 year old as he is really taking off. I am also using CTC with my 11 year old. I don't want my youngers ones to get there too fast. There is a lot in there to chew on. In short, I think you would be served well to just keep swimming (smile) right in order.

My oldest, who is 9, is doing Bigger this year with her 8 y.o. sister. After careful consideration we opted to have her do right side Preparing, and some of the Bigger extension books, too. She is very strong in Language Arts, so this is a great fit for her, while allowing us to combine our girls. Just something else to consider
My 8 y.o. would have had a hard time in Preparing this year, as she is a very young 8. Bigger is helping her to blossom in so many ways! Preparing will be great next year, but it would have discouraged her this year. So I cast my vote for going with the younger program and adding a bit for older, for what it's worth.

I would agree; my 9.5 yo son and 7yo daughter are both using Bigger. I really am always torn, too, because my older child is far above my daughter's level. I am using the extensions for him, and she is doing it as-written, though some things are too hard for her. The extensions include a history text (Child's Story of America) and a science text (Exploring Planet Earth). I sometimes give him other assignments, too...
It is difficult to make these decisions! But Bigger will be better spiritually-each guide moves up a bit with the level of spiritual content. I think Preparing would be a big jump. I think my 7yo would understand and apply more if she were using Beyond. Look carefully at the samples...especially the Bible/Prayer sections...

Thanks for your advice, ladies!

lovetobehome, it's interesting that you note to consider the spiritual level. I'm sooo glad you pointed that out, because I would say that as we do Beyond, the Bible Study questions can be tough even for the oldest one, when it comes to really thinking how the principles apply in her own life. And, one of the MAIN reasons for our family coming back to HOD (we did LHFHG and then put together my own conglomeration of "stuff" the next year) was for the way it points our kids to Christ. So, your point alone may have solidified that I should just stay in order of the guides! Also, if some things are easier for the older, that just may mean she'll really retain the material and continue her positive attitude toward learning. You know how it goes, though... I think we often want to "push" them. There's a sense out there that if we homeschool, our 2nd grader should be doing 4th grade work! ha! And, I certainly don't want the younger one to be lost because the material is over his head.

Thanks again to all of you! This board is a blessing!

Your words are helpful to me, too! Even now, I am considering moving up (for my son) because it would enable us to do that......--golden streams coming down from the sky, held up on a silver platter---idol I call the *Four Year Cycle* I am just teasing myself here...I can get so caught up in that. And also, you are right about the desire to push our kids to be little geniuses. I think, though, if a child is brilliant and I don't 'maximize' his educational opportunities, he will still be brilliant, right? If God has a plan for Him, I am not going to ruin it because I didn't follow the Four Year Cycle or because I didn't give him enough comprehension questions, LOL!
I mention the spiritual concerns because I can see my DD is not quite getting the things in BIGGER. She runs along with us, but I don't think it MEANS as much to her, I don't think it is capturing her as well as it is for my son...I don't think she is mature enough to apply the scripture to her own heart, just because she is not quite ready. I think BEYOND would be more appropriate for her, from looking at it. I am thinking of using the BEYOND Bible for her!
When I look at CTC, I know it would be a bit over my son's head, too...but if I wait, I know he will be ready and understand more.
Once again, I think Carrie's placement is SPOT ON. My son would have placed perfectly into Prep. My DD placed perfectly into Beyond. Having all these guides, I can say her placements according to the chart are really right on target with the guides. I chose to combine them into Bigger, and made some minor compromises for them in doing that. Had I placed them in 2 programs, according to her chart, it would be a PERFECT fit for each of them. But, it is easier to do one guide for both! I don't regret it (though I often second guess myself about everything-this is a big stronghold for me!), but I just wanted to say, you can really trust her placement charts to accurately fit a child in the correct guide...

Busymomma1,

The ladies have done a terrific job of helping you talk through your options. This board is such a great place for that type of thing! I fully agree that it is easier to beef up a program for an older child than it is to water one down for a younger child. Otherwise, it's so easy to end up dragging a younger child along for too many years.

So, I'd lean toward having your kiddos stay together in Bigger, using the extensions for your older child. If you felt you son needed more, you could easily use some of the right side of Preparing Hearts to raise the level for him in his areas of need. This would continue to work well as you move through the guides. Also, with this plan it is always easy to add as needed or even move the older child up a guide if necessary, rather than trying to back up a younger child to compensate for schooling that is too hard, which can be so disheartening.

Blessings,
Carrie