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As I am making final decisions for our next year, I am having an idea to possibly combine my 2nd grader (7yo) and 6th grader (11yo) into Bigger. We finished LHFHG and CTC this past year, and I have been planning on moving on to Beyond and RTR. However, the idea of combining has always appealed to me, and am wondering if anyone has combined with such a big age span. Most likely we will go the original plan, but I'm one of those that has to look at every side of something before making a decision

With that said, has anyone used Bigger with a 6th grader or combined a big age span like this? I want the year to be academically challenging for my 6th grader. (She did well with CTC) Thanks!

You are a wise lady to consider placement from all angles as you go into the next year! I don't think 5th. grade is too old for Bigger Hearts with extensions provided that's where the child places well according to the placement chart, but I do think a child that did well with CTC the year before would not be challenged nearly enough by doing Bigger Hearts with Extensions the following year. Sorry - I wish I could say otherwise - but it would be an incredible step back. I think you would lose all of the independence your CTC child had gained, and I also think the academic skills wouldn't be growing through the year, but would instead probably be going backwards. Written narrations aren't even done in Bigger Hearts, there isn't a Student Notebook, there is no research, there isn't a writing program, there is no independent Bible Quiet Time, the parent does the history/science readings, the history projects and science experiments and geography are much less mature, etc. I just think you'd wish you could "unring" that bell if you went that route. I also think your 7 yo will really need your full attention as she/he does Bigger Hearts, and your sixth grader would be done in a flash and twiddling his/her fingers impatiently waiting on you as you tried to hurry along little 7 yo pumpkin. I think you'd really enjoy having your older child do RTR, especially as you enter in the middle school years. The Bible Study box along with the puberty study really comes to mind - I just think your conversations with your older child will need to be focused on such different heart (and even body) issues than your 7 yo. I've really found that to be true over the years with our 2 oldest dc - having our Bible times separate sure brings out a deeper, more heartfelt discussion as each child feels "safe" to share his personal struggles (much different than our family Bible discussions). I also think you being totally in charge of your older child's day again (as is the case in Bigger Hearts for the most part) could cause some conflict. I know it would with my oldest, as he's grown to love his independence in certain areas of school especially. It would be tough to take that back from him. Anyway, these are just some thoughts I had about this. You are in the driver's seat here and will know best. HTH as you ponder this!

In Christ,
Julie

Ok...now I'm rethinking my decision!
If we've never done HOD before and my upcoming 6th grader is distracted very easily, would Bigger still be ok for her? She placed between Bigger and Preparing, but to be safe, I thought I'd better start with the lower level and work up. What is the best program for her? (I may have not even given enough info about her, but, just asking in general).
Thank you!
Kelley

Don't panic just yet, Kelley. The fact that the previous poster's daughter already did well with CTC is a big factor in determining that she would be too advanced for Bigger. You may want to give some more details about what your daughter has already done to help with placement. The fact that you said she places between Bigger and Preparing on the placement chart would lead me to think that Bigger would be fine. I would wait to hear what Julie or Carrie's opinion on your specific situation would be.

Julie, thanks! You make some great points. Obviously, I would have to beef up Bigger quite a bit if we go that route, by adding in the written narration, research, etc. DH thinks its a great idea to combine where I can, and in some ways would simplify things in our homeschool, but I also am leary of taking dd11 out of where she is in the HOD cycle. More prayer...

Oh, and Momx3- I have found the placement chart very accurate and helpful in placement. If your dd places between Bigger and Preparing, I think going with Bigger is a great idea! Just my 2 cents!

Love this board, Ladies!