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Hi everyone,

This is my second year with this curriculum. My son is 7 and technically a 2nd grader. Last year was my first time homeschooling both my children: my 4 year daughter who was using LHTH and my son who was using LHFHG along with the math and spelling from BLHFHG. I had a really hard time last year and I really don't understand how this happened, but I fell TERRIBLY behind. I'd be embarrassed to admit just how far behind we are. I started this school year with a plan to try to "catch up" and speed it up by doing 2 units per week, but have been unsuccessful. My son who is officially the one home schooled according to the board of ED. has done very well with the work that was accomplished. HOWEVER, he is still doing 1st grade math as well as the other 1st grade subjects. I live in New York City. And last school year I sent in the required quarterly reports ahead of time with the intention of "catching up". So what I put on the reports were things we had not done yet. Now here I am and it's time to submit my first quarterly report for the new year which I am already a day late in...

ANYWAY, I'm sorry to make this such a long story...I feel like I am "rushing" the curriculum to catch up so we are where we should be, and I'm wondering if I should maybe try to repeat the first grade year so that I am not rushing these last few months of work just so that I can get on to the 2nd grade curriculum. I don't know how beneficial that is for my son or myself. I feel like I have a huge burden and don't know really what to do...though I am sincerely praying for God's wisdom and direction. When I submitted my "Individualized home instruction plan" (IHIP)- which is the requirement for New York State) at the beginning of the school year I noted that my son would be in 2nd grade and we will be doing the second grade work. But I am still struggling to catch up with the first grade work. I'm not even sure at this point if they will even allow me to change my mind and report that my son is doing the first grade work again on the quarterly reports. I could tell them that I decided that he needs a year of more practice with the 1st grade work?? The only dilema with that is I always gave him satisfactory/good grades last school year- based on how well he was doing with the work that we were able to accomplish...So not sure if eyebrows will rise within the home school office with why I want to repeat the first grade... I hope this doesn't sound too confusing...If anyone has any advise/suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thank you so much and God bless all of you,
Charika

Hummmm, well I am blessed to live in MI where I do not have to report ANYTHING, BUT, I think if I were in your situation I would just keep going where I am at in the guide. I would do one of two things for reporting purposes... simply switch and say you ARE doing 2nd grade. Afterall, Beyond is a guide that many people use for second grade, or say you are repeating first grade, and go ahead and finish the guide, and start "2nd" grade early, but continue to call it first. Either way I would not rush to finish the guide, or start over. Simply continue on, and change what you call it. I hope that made sense.

Well, after just moving from NY state (2 weeks ago) back to Florida, I have to say I am relieved that we do not have to worry with IHIP's and quarterly reports anymore. It really does make it difficult to work at your own pace sometimes, doesn't it? My suggestion would be to contact a local homeschool group and find out what they suggest. I know my group leader was very helpful with things like this and it could be a great resource for you. You may also want to check on the HSLDA's web site and find a copy of NYS regulations to find out if this exact situation is covered. If you need info. quick though, I think calling a local group leader is your best bet. The first year we lived there I changed my curriculum choices after the the third quarter! I was advised to just let send in a letter or note stating that fact, and what we were switching to in which subjects, along with my 3rd quarterly report. It was suggested that it would be fine, and it was.

It may be a good idea, just for the report's sake, to 'catch up' just in the basic and forget about the subjects that aren't required by the state for now. That would allow you to move more quickly, cover what you're required to have done, and stop feeling worried about this. Then, once you're 'caught up', go back to using the guide as planned, including all the wonderful bible things too. I hope this helps some. Maybe there will be someone else here who know more than I do and can give better advice. I only lived there for 2 years so my knowledge is still limited. It will be okay...there's a way to make it work out. Let us know what you decide to do. And, the state cannot tell you what curriculum you can use, nor what level....they don't actually get to approve your curriculum, despite what they would like you to believe. The regs state what subjects must be covered, hours required, etc. You are the authority on how you teach your child and with what materials. And I agree with the pp about Beyond...being used for 1st or 2nd grade...that's actually what I switched to for my dd in 2nd grade and I am planning to use it with my son in 2nd when he's 8. Be encouraged!

Thank you so much! Both of your replies were very helpful!! I have a few things to consider and perhaps I can look into a local group today. I actually have to turn in the quarterly report tomorrow Yes, I sincerely wish I lived in another state, but I have to trust that God knows what He is doing with having us here for now Perhaps, I need the accountability? In any case, I would love to move out of state in His time...it sure will give some breathing room I'm sure...

God bless you both and thanks again!!
Charika

Don't stress to much as in p/s the first grading period is review! the kids loose upt to 3 months of learning in that big long summer break. review is expected and OK..

I would be very honest with your reporting but vague... the guides can be used to cover a 2 year period of time so do not stress. Do call your local h/s group. I'm so glad I moved from NY to TX where the rules on h/s are so simple.

And if you feel the need to catch up try just doubling up 1 or 2 topics each day instead of double work each day its easier to stick to. You move forward at a nice rate without overwhelming the child with to much information. (this is the voice of experience here talking *eeep!* I have so been there and done that).

I do not have to report in our state, so please take that into consideration.

For a couple years (through 3rd grade) I tried to get my oldest, and then my middle, at a level that I considered on target with where they should be. It just dawned on me one day that I'd always tried to catch up things...and that in my situation my kids just weren't ready for it. So looking back I realized that I thought my 5 yr old would excel and be the smartest K kid on the block and reading so well, etc...instead he just wanted to play cars and trucks and he could care less about writing or reading. So when my kids were 8 (3rd) and 6(1st) I decided to stretch their grade out another year . So now I have a more appropriate intelligent 10 yr old boy who is doing 4th grade work, a challenging daughter doing 2nd grade work (at the age of and a 6 yr old who is happily doing her kindergarten work...that she would not have wanted to do at the age of 5. Just the way it worked out best here and it was a HUGE load off my mind doing this. Now, my kids will be older when they graduate, and really, they are more age appropriate for their grade level now. I don't even worry about grade level so much anymore. I have a 10, 8, and 6 yr old and they are all just plugging away at what they are ready for.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

Alison

YES it helps TREMENDOUSLY!!! Thank you so much for this reply! I've decided to register him again as second grade next year, so I won't have to "rush" him in order to "catch up" to what I am reporting and so that he will have another year, God willing, of preparation before having to take the required standardized tests (3rd grade) here. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! And I am very happy to hear that things are going so well for you and your children now!!

Many blessings,
Charika

Hi Charika! You've gotten such wise advice here already. I will just second the thought that it is not a nice feeling to constantly be striving to catch up. We moms can just pile the guilt and stress on ourselves, can't we? I think this need to catch up feeling can happen either because we didn't get through what we thought we would in a certain amount of time, or because we placed our dc inaccurately to begin with. Either way, I think it's wise to evaluate where a child falls on the placement chart and go from there. If your ds is accurately placed with what he is doing then I'd just keep going with that and don't worry about the age. If it seems he should be placed in a different guide, than I'd make a change and do that instead. I wouldn't worry about the idea of holding him back a year. Really, grade levels are just one type of way of organizing dc's learning - the best way to organize a child's learning is to do it based on just your child and what he needs. This is why some dc are doing the right side of some of HOD's guides, while doing the left side of another; some are in the exact age range of the guides, and some are not. Better to do this kind of customizing and have him accurately placed so that for now and for years to come he is doing the work that fits his needs the best. I think it takes a bit to adjust to homeschooling, to figure out how things need to go and how they will go best for each of us in each of our homes. Just like I have done countless times, you just found something you want to focus on for this year - so that is great! Now you can move forward and enjoy what's ahead knowing you are making the best choice for your ds in the here and now.

In Christ,
Julie