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Just wanted to share with you all something important I realized last year. I want all of my children to be smart and excel, and so I pushed ahead sometimes when I should have stepped back. I read a lot about mom's pushing into the higher level curriculums for different reasons and I can't help but see what a mistake it was with my oldest son. He would have benefited more from me going at his speed instead of worrying about grade levels. I want to instill a love of learning, but instead I have made it all a big chore. That is why I chose HOD this year for my younger 2 children. I felt like I got a fresh start to make "school" fun. 3 weeks into the School Year and I realized that I can start fresh with my oldest son too, so I am switching him to Preparing. I chose Preparing because it is a level down for him, we can go at a more fun and relaxed pace together. All people have different "gifts" and if one or all of my children are not really gifted in academics that is ok with me.

Well said! Everyone does excel at something and it isn't always something that our culture prizes, ie academics or physical beauty. This is something that I've been thinking about a lot lately too.

So true. I bought Beyond for dd(7) and then decided to go down to LHFHG for 1st. My decision was again confirmed today when I was browsing the Beyond guide. It would have been difficult for her this year. I have told many people that the Christian character of my dc is more important to me than how far they go academically. That is why I love HOD. DD is getting her academic education at her pace, but she is also receiving training in what's most important - her character.

I bought Beyond for dd(7) and then decided to go down to LHFHG for 1st. My decision was again confirmed today when I was browsing the Beyond guide. It would have been difficult for her this year.

We're finishing the left side last 11 units of LHFHG at a slower pace for this entire year. I just think the history/science part is perfect for my twin boy's in 1st and DD in 2nd. I'm going to do the emerging readers schedule from Beyond since they are reading well, and then use the Beyond Guide next year for most of the other subjects.

That's really true. I learned the placement chart is quite accurate. What throws me off is thinking where my child "should" be for his age/grade instead of where they are really at. Trust the placement chart otherwise your kids may not enjoy their year and neither will you

Shannon