heartofdakota.com

O.k. my plan is to continue my (start) with Bigger. We did a science activity last week and we are using the R&S 2, along with the other Bigger components. However, our history has not been very in depth at all in the past. We have spent loads of time on math, and getting in history has been on the backburner. My son will be new to narration and this way of learning. Which I really admire! My son will be 9 years next month. We took him back in his textbooks to 2nd grade this past year. He was suppose to be 3rd, but because of his bad year last year, it was best.

I'm starting to wonder about doing the Beyond for history and everything else with Bigger. I could kick myself for not doing the Beyond last year. You all may remember all my posts,
We will also be doing DITHOR with him. I believe he is ready for that now, but I'm taking him through the last few emerging readers, just because I wanted to ease him into all of this. I don't want to put him really behind in the guides, but this may be best. Or should we just take the plunge with all bigger and see what happens??

Thanks in advance!
Tina

ds 9--R&S 2, MUS and Bigger

Well, after looking at the placement chart again, ds does place into Bigger. We did do the first two reading awhile back and I don't think he completely understood the wording, but we'll keep at it and see what happens.

Angie, I'm in North MS. I've heard of Pelahatchie. I have relatives nearby in Forest. Wish you were closer. It would be great to get together sometime!

Thanks for sharing!
Tina
ds 8- starting Bigger, MUS, R&S 2

Have you thought of going half-speed for a little while? At least until he is used to it....just something to consider. I am doing bigger half pace with one of mine and it is helping him tremondously

Hi Angie

I am from Mississippi, too. But I haven't yet started Heart of Dakota. I wanted to start already, but finances have prevented me from ordering yet. I am trying to sell all my old curriculum to make room for Heart of Dakota. I am really excited about it. I have 3 girls, and one of them is named Lydia, too. She is 5. We live in Brookhaven. It is kind of central/southern MS. I grew up in Crystal Springs which is about 20 minutes south of Jackson. We often visit in that area. I have heard of Pelahatchie, also, but have never been there. It was nice meeting you.


Hi momofone

Sorry to hijack your thread. Hope you are doing well. I know you live much farther from me!

Tina,

One thing to consider when you are looking at the placement chart is that it's important to give the most weight to the first page of the chart. This is because the skills listed on the first page of the chart will show whether your child is developmentally ready for the rest of the way that the guide is written and for the skills required in all of the assignments. So, I'd recommend focusing only on the first page of the placement chart and seeing what you discover.

Then, if your child does place in Bigger Hearts, I'd recommend doing half-speed Bigger Hearts for awhile to ease into the skills within it and really take time teaching them. There are many different ways to go about doing Bigger Hearts half-speed. So, if you do end up with that option, many moms can help give you advice. Let us know what you think, and we'll be glad to help!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks for the help. DS does place into Bigger on the 1st page and we have been half-speed, but he seems to have trouble with A First Book In American History. I read it and he does not seem to comprehend what I'm reading. I don't have this problem with other books, but he does have trouble with this one.

I guess it will just take some time!

Thanks again.
Tina

Hi Tina - "A First Book in American History" is told in a very narrative way, that is quite "classic" sounding in nature; just like the "classics" Storytime set is full of timeless books that are written in a narrative, yet "classic" manner. These types of books are gems, but they take a bit to get into. Our dc are used to the "eye candy" type books these days, while these more classic books are kind of like "ear candy". Anyway, we are a month into BHFHG, and my ds is now really beginning to listen more attentively and comprehend more and more of what we're reading in these types of books. I just wanted to encourage you that it's worth pursuing the listening skills it takes to enjoy these types of books, and eventually, dc do learn to love these types of books and even prefer to choose them over others (as has happened with my older ds now that he's in the upper books of HOD). HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Tina,

Since you had your child repeat grade 2 last year, even though he is 9 if you feel he would benefit from a trip through Beyond's history (and that part is more on his level due to his maturity), you could easily use Beyond for the history portion from the left side of the plans and use Bigger Hearts for everything else. This would raise the level of the 3R's to be on-track for his age (through Bigger) but would ease him into the CM-style skills and readings a bit (through Beyond).

If you did go this route, you could either do the science from Beyond (and add additional science reading material to raise the level of rigor), or you could do the science from Bigger Hearts instead. This may give you the customized fit you're seeking.

Just a thought!

Blessings,
Carrie