heartofdakota.com

Hi everyone. After reading the other grade level posts answers I began to question what I ordered, so help please!!! (I'm such a nut. I haven't even recieved my box yet and here I am questioning it )
I am planning on doing BLHFHG with my soon to be 8 yr old (MAY). He is "supposed" to be going into 3rd grade next year but I redid 1st grade for him since he seemed to be needing more time. So, he will "officially" be only going into 2nd next year.So, he'll actually be turning nine while using Beyond.
Everyone pretty much seemed to be using Bigger for his age level. I guess I should just wait and look over what I get.....
Kelly

We're not. My dd will be 8 in June...one month after yours and we started Beyond 4 weeks ago. We "change" grade levels in January because of her birthdate. I know there's a few others doing this w/the same age.

Oh, my! I'm sorry I started this, Carrie.

Kelly, I would try not to focus on the grade levels, as hard as that can be at times. I would focus on what you have decided should be for your child and see if it will fit once it arrives and you can look it over. THEN, you will be able to make the best decision for YOUR child.

HTH
K

I looked at the example from Bigger(I didn't do that before, I assumed it would be too hard), and thought "He can definately do this!" And he could. But looking at the placement chart, he is not redy to begin cursive, not ready for dictation yet, (he still needs models), and he can not compose an original sentence.(I'm guessing that means actually write out a sentence he made up , without a model.) But he CAN do everything else.
My husband is being so great. I had him look at the samples and he saw what I meant and just said "If you need it, buy it!!" I'm not sure if I am going to do that or not, but it is great to have such a supportive hubby!
Thanks for listening to my ramblings and offering your advice!
Kelly

It's been hard for me to change my thoughts from "grades" to "ability" levels, too. My oldest is technically supposed to start Kindergarten in the Fall, but I got LHTH instead of Little Hearts because he's definitely not ready. I say wait until you get the guide in the mail, and look it over. It may work out just fine, and maybe even best. It's great that you have such a supportive husband!!

My kiddos will be turning 8 right smack in the middle of Beyond and they'll be using it as written for 2nd grade.

Realize that you are looking at the beginning week for each program in the samples....the end will be much harder. I bet Beyond will be fine, but if it just seems way to easy, you could get the Bigger manual and just do the lang.arts, reading and math from it.

If he was struggling with 1st and redid it (which is extremely common for little boys) then I don't think I would go too far over his ability level. It could cause some frustration.

Just look at it this way....you'll be right on the money with Carrie's programs up through 8th, whereas if you do Bigger for 2nd....you'll be off a year. (Does that help any?? at all??)

I need to get to bed!!

I repeated 1st grade with my dd9 too. We will be starting Bigger just before she turns 10.

I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in using HOD beyond the age range suggested.

Wow I have the same question! My son will turn 9 almost halfway thru the year so I got beyond because he is not able to read very well yet and write own his own. He can do copy work fine and comprend good. He also has a LD in reading and writing and in school they were going way to fast for him and sending him to Special Ed. He didn't like having to leave and then come back and miss the fun stuff. I am hoping that it will be a choice for him. If I look at the chart it is the right one for him so we will see. My daugther will also be doing it along with him she will be in 1st grade. I hope it goes well

Sheila

We will be using Bigger with my 9/10 year old. (the has a b-day half way through the year) Technically he could go to the new one, but I wanted him to cover the American history. But loking at the materials, I am glad we are where we are. I think these books will be totally appropriate for him, and many challanging. I got the R&S 3 for ENglish even though he will be in 4th grade. We have been doign Abeka, othrewise I would have bought 2. Looking at 3 - it will be great. I can't wait to start, but have to finish out this year first.

I would look at the placement chart and then go with what it says. One of the reasons we homeschool is to be able to teach to our kids levels. Grade levels are not nearly as important as skill levels. I would go by that. I have a few that are in places that would not seem to fit if I went by grade levels. BUT they fit perfect. The chart really works. There are no real grade levels. So just do what works best for your child and call that their perfect grade level. You won't be sorry.

Kerby, you are SO funny! You did not start anything at all! Questioning is what we moms do, and trying to find the best fit is VERY important and VERY different for each family.

So, this is the place to ask and process what will fit your kiddos the best. It is a process we all must go through when starting HOD. The great part is that we can go through it together and that there are moms to help with finding the right fit for your family. Once you're on board with the correct placement though, you can just go from guide to guide.

Kelly, the moms have done a great job of helping you. Since you have the guide and products on the way, I would wait and see what you think once you get your materials. If "Beyond..." seems too easy, you can send it on back and get "Bigger...".

Meanwhile, go ahead and print everything you can from the Introduction to the Sample Week from "Bigger...". Then, you can compare it with "Beyond..." when you get it.

I will also tell you that "Bigger..." does require more in the form of writing, not a huge jump by any means but a step up from "Beyond..". So, your little guy would need to be able to do notebooking assigments twice each week that require copywork and drawing, copy 1-3 vocabulary words each week with definitions and sentences, copy a Bible verse once each week, copy from the poem each day, and write out a short science experiment form once each week with help. He will also need to be ready to start formal grammar with Rod and Staff 2 and either do spelling word list 2 or dictation for spelling practice (as both are provided in the Appendix of "Bigger...").

If it sounds like your little guy can do those things than "Bigger.." may be the better fit after all.

Let us know what you're thinking.

Blessings,
Carrie

Wow! That sounds like great advice of course. When you get it all you can really see what it is like and what will work. I looked at my post and it really wasn't very helpful. Sorry about that. I was sick when I posted that. I need to just stay off these boards when I am sick with a fever. But I am glad you got some great advice.

Can't wait to hear what you think when you see everything and hope you find the best fit for your family!

water2wine,

I just wanted to mention that I thought your post was very helpful. Each of you ladies do such a wonderful job of encouraging one another. Thank you all ladies for posting and offering helpful advice. That is what this board is all about. Moms helping other moms. We have our own little get-together here every day.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you again ladies! everything you all said WAS helpful.
It also helps to know the difference in the requirements for Beyond and Bigger. Looking at the samples Bigger looks fine for him, but reading what Carrie wrote, which I figured would be the case- more writing, made me think it might be too much. And also the level two spelling.
SSOOOOOOOOOOO..... I will wait patiently (yeah right) for my order and check it out and probably be happy with what I ordered. I will just have to use the alternate math schedule and I can always add as needed! It is probably easier to beef something up rather than try to take away from it.
I do have another question for you while we are talking about grade levels. (I hope this topic is ok.) If your child is behind the level that is taught in public school and would probably be held back if they were in p.s., do you hold them back a grade level in your reporting for homeschooling? Just wondering how others deal with this issue.
I wish we could throw the whole grade level thing out the window, but that's not going to happen with reporting. We ignore it in our home but have to deal with it when doing paperwork.
Thanks again!! You ladies are so supportive!
Kelly

I don't worry too much about grade level; both of my kids are using various things that have different grade levels, such as a 3rd grade level Rod & Staff English, but a 5th grade level Handwriting, etc. However, I do understand the concern, because we have to do Quarterly reports where I am; it's a bit unnerving.

If you are required to 'test' your child with the SAT, or something similar, I might hold him back a grade level so he could be tested on the appropriate level. KWIM? You wouldn't want to report him as a 3rd grader and have him be tested as such if his ability level is only 1st or 2nd grade...maybe some more knowledgeable ladies will offer their advice. That's just my .02. Hope it made some sense.