heartofdakota.com

I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on a 10 yo doing Bigger...independently. I have everything, including the extensions from a previous year. I was thinking, if I had her do this, she could read the extensions either instead of or in addition to the Read About History books. For science either what's in the plans, which she has done previously with her older brother, or add something else. We do have a couple of other science books I could substitute in, I just like the way science in HOD is set up. Purchasing books from another program is out this year....just not an option for us at this time. For read alouds she could still listen in to what I am doing in Beyond with her brother....and I would still be very much in charge of her program. Just wondering if we could do this to help her become more independent while still having the oversight that is necessary for our situation right now? Here is a previous thread that will explain all that is going on and why we are doing things the way we are.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7184

I would so appreciate suggestions.

I think it can work...but after reading all of your other posts on your daughter, I am wondering why you are making the decision to give her MORE independence with Bigger?

If you do try this, I would start with Bigger without extensions and hold her responsible for doing the reading, etc on her own. You may even need to take the time to read the boxes and write instructions for her on a different sheet so that she is not confused by the boxes talking to the teacher.

I hope someone else will chime in here. My heart goes out to you for all you are dealing with. My older son can be defiant and he does have an issue, at times, with "doing it fast to get it done," but he is starting to do better since I began making him re-do (and re-do and re-do and re-do if necessary) anything that I deem unacceptable knowing his abilities. I am not expecting perfection from him, but I know what his best looks like and I know what throwing something down to get done looks like and I won't accept the latter.

*hugs* and prayers!

Thanks Rebecca. I know it sounds weird...we've been back and forth on a roller coaster. I'm trying to up the level for her age without having to find too many things on my own. Right now I have the time but when the new baby arrives in just weeks from now I won't have so much time available. Anyway, I thought since I have all of Bigger....but maybe I will hold off on the extensions and just have her do it as is....and I had already thought I may need to write it out separately for her. We'll see. I am grateful for your response and your prayers. Thanks so much!

inHistiming,

I think this may be an option if you feel your little sweetie didn't take as much as was needed from her trip through Bigger last year. I'm not a huge proponent of having kiddos repeat things, but I understand your need for her to be more independent and your financial boundaries as well.

I think you could for sure have her to do the Bigger science independently and likely could have her do much of the reading in Bigger on her own. It truly depends on how she feels about repeating the guide as to how successful any of this will be. Perhaps, you could phrase it as a positive compliment that you see she is ready for more independence, and you'd like to encourage that in her.

I do think that after having her in Bigger Hearts last year, she is ready for a bit of moving forward in the independence direction (even though that takes training too). Perhaps this would be a way to partner with her with the goal of training her to read directions and do more on her own? I'm just brainstorming with you here as your situation is a unique one. I'd love her to move forward somehow and for you to reap the benefits of seeing some independence in her as well.

If it helps, I'll link you to a thread where I shared how to encourage more independence in Bigger with a child who is ready for that.:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4632&p=34419

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks Carrie. I'll be reading that thread and figuring out if we'll go that route or not. Thanks so much for your input..that's actually just what I was looking for...