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Hi,

I've decided to combine my middle two kids in Bigger this year. One is in grade 2 and the other in Grade 5. My oldest is in CTC (grade 7) but honestly my grade 5er academically is much closer to the grade 2er than the older one. One of her problems is distraction and independence. Also my youngest is quite bright academically so they are both reading on a similar level. It has worked fine this year with the two youngers in Beyond together but I beefed up math, and gave the middle girl, R& S 3 (half finished). I'm feeling a bit guilty that maybe I should bump the Grade 5er into Preparing but I really can't see doing 3 programs this year! I also think she would have trouble with the independance required. So... I've been reading about how to use Bigger independently. How could I use Bigger with the younger one (reading aloud to her) and Bigger with the older one doing it more independently. Should she read the Eggelston book on her own or is that better as a read aloud? I also own A Child's Story of America - should she use that? It might be a bit challenging then maybe that's what she needs to push her along. Any about how to use Bigger with both of these children? Or should I look at doing Preparing Half-pace with the grade 5er?

Thanks for any advice,
Shannon

Here is a link to a thread where Carrie talks about independence in Bigger. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6502&p=47428 HTH sorry I didn't get a chance to really study your question, we are getting ready to eat but hopefully this will give you an idea.

Are you planning to have your 5th grader doing the extension package in Bigger? It's my understanding that the extension package would be used by your 5th grader and that it's intended to be done mostly independently by the child.

Hi Shannon! I was going to link you to the same link already given, as I think that's a good thread about how to make Bigger Hearts more independent. How does your 5th. grader do with reading? If she's a strong reader and can read the Extension Package well independently, I would have her do that, as it extends the areas of history and science so nicely in a way that doesn't require more teaching time for you. If she is doing the extensions, I'd just do the reading aloud myself as scheduled in the 2 page plans for history and science for the both of them at once. The extensions along with DITHOR and R & S English (which begins to include writing assignments as well) will be enough for your older dd.

If you are thinking the extensions are too difficult for dd to read independently, however, I do think that it will be important to teach her to do some subjects more independently. In this case, you could read the history aloud to the 2 of them, but have older dd do the science reading independently. You could add having her do the core history reading independently eventually too, but keep the Storytime box as a read-aloud for the 2 of them. This will give you time to really focus on your 2nd grader, and getting that little sweetie's reading and writing going so that child will be ready for PHFHG. In PHFHG, the dc are to be doing their science box independently, so that is a good goal to shoot to be ready for with your 2nd grader. I would encourage the 2 of them to get adept at using the Bigger Hearts manual as their own (especially the oldest), checking off the boxes as they complete them (in different colored pens ). Learning to follow directions directly from the HOD manual is a huge help to learning to independently follow the manual gradually as they mature and move through guides. What are your thoughts on this though? I hope something here helps!

In Christ,
Julie

Just wanted to say thanks Julie for your help. Sorry this is late but last time I was here I got interupted and didn't get to thank you for your ideas and links. I'm going to follow your advice and see how it goes. Thanks to you and Carrie for all your patience with the many questions your receive. (from me and everyone else ) Just passed the catalogue on to another friend who's interested!

God Bless,
Shannon

Glad to help, and I hope it goes well! I love this board and the ladies on it, so it doesn't feel like a chore to help, but rather a blessing, and an outlet for me to share this homeschooling journey with others - it can be lonely otherwise. I'm glad you are a part of this journey with me!
In Christ,
Julie