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I am a little sleep deprived (Caleb still has days/nights confused) so if these are answered somewhere else (and I'm sure they are), just send me in the right direction.

1. Spelling. We completed the list 1 in BLHFHG last year, so now we are to do list 2? Is that right? And that takes the place of dictation which I then start next year (or the year after if I do Bigger half-speed)? Right? Or do I do dictation? That is where I get a bit cofused.....

2. Maps. I know I need a US map and a world map. How detailed do these need to be? I have a placemat US map, but it mostly just shows the states and capitals, it has the great lakes as well. Will that surfice or will I need something more? I have a globe that is quite detailed. Does that take the place of a world map or do I need a map as well?

3. Emerging readers. I don't start DITHOR unil I have finished with the ER's right?

I think that is all, but I might be back with more questions later.

Hello!

I think I can answer questions 1 and 3.

1. If you've completed on of the spelling lists in Beyond, then you move on to either the spelling list in Bigger or the dictation in Bigger and you begin R & S English 2. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

3. Yes, DITHOR starts after the Emerging Readers. I don't think it's recommended before grade 2.

HTH!

Hi Kelly,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was believe that the spelling list 2, is recommended for 2nd grade, and the first list of dictation for 3rd. I have a 1st grader and a 2nd grader and we are doing list 2 this year. Also, I believe that the English 2 is recommended to start in 3rd, as it tends to get more difficult, in book 3 and up. I am starting it with my daughter who is 2nd grade and 7 this year, and we are taking it 2 years. It can easily be stretched for that. We do each unit-- odd numbers one day, and even the next.

We will be finishing Beyond in December and I will be taking 1 1/2 to 2 years with Bigger too, so that my younger, has a chance to catch up on those more advanced skills in Bigger. Cursive is also recommended for at least 2nd grade. We are waiting till next year for that too, with my first grader. She is using the poetry copywork to strengthen her handwriting skills.

By doing this, I should be able to go 4 days a week with Preparing, with both of them, with no problems.

DITHOR is after the Emerging Readers, and recommended for at least 2nd grade.

Hope that helps a little bit.

LeAnna

Thanks for clarifying LeAnna.
I'll have a son in Bigger for 3rd grade next year.

Ok, let me see if I understand the spelling/grammer correctly (please forgive me if I am being dense... ). Thank you for replying.

SInce my dd is going to be using BIGGER grade 2, and has currently only finished spelling list 1 in BEYOND, she will be doing spelling list 2. Dictation will wait until 3rd grade. Right? And R&S 2 isn't supposed to start until next year as well? I was under the impression that went along with grade 2. Although like your dc, she will be doing it over 2 years so I guess it will be fine to start it now and do it at our half-speed.

Which leads me to another question (you might get sick of me.... ). I will be doing BIGGER over the course of 2 years with my dd. I really like how Julie shared her half-speed BIGGER schedule on another thread and that will fit my dd very well I think. Could we do spelling list 2 full speed which would have us finish at the end of the "2nd grade school year" and then do dictation for the second half of BIGGER next year (which would be her "third grade year")? I think that should work but would like to get a second opinion on my thinking.

So now I just need to find out about maps...

I think that sounds like a fantastic idea of doing the spelling list daily and then the dictation daily over the course of two years

We will be using R&S during half of my oldest's 2nd grade year. She's currently in that year, but we will only be using it for half because we aren't starting Bigger until January

I'm going to do exactly like you are-go ahead and do spelling daily and then dictation daily, but do Bigger at half speed.

Also, you just go ahead and start R&S whenever you start Bigger. They will have gotten the gentle introduction to grammar in Beyond and should be ready for R&S at the beginning of Bigger.

We're about to start Bigger too-we'll be starting with half speed (and 4 days/week) on Monday. When do you start?

Kelly,
Don't worry about asking too many questions! I always have a ton too! It's great that we can all help each other!!
Yes, I'm doing spelling list 2 full speed with both my dd's 1st grade and 2nd grade. It will carry over into the first half of Bigger for us. Then, we will just do dictation for their 2nd and 3rd grade year, and a little slower for my younger if need be. Yes, too about the English 2, for 2nd grade. That is why we are taking two years for it. My 2nd grader will be done with it, at the end of 3rd grade. I know Carrie recommends that we be done with English 6th by 8th grade.

I need to find out about the maps too. We just have a globe.

LeAnna

Hi Kelly!

Sounds like you've got the spelling figured out. If I were you, I'd do like you said and use Bigger with Spelling list 2 this year and finish Bigger using Dictation the next.

Maps... You'll be good with a globe. It will actually work far better than a world map for Bigger! I think your placemat US map should be fine, too. I really don't remember if we needed anything more detailed than that. I'm thinking you'll be fine.

And, yep, finish the ERS before jumping into DITHOR.

Have fun! We loved Bigger! Hopefully Caleb decides that you get to sleep at night soon. It's amazing how much a little sleep can do! Asa is up every 3 hrs (for about 40 min of eating), but then goes right back to sleep, so I'm feeling pretty good. I make sure to catch a good nap in the afternoon pretty regularly though.

Kathleen

Mammamo, I wish we starting a bit sooner but it won't be until probably the second week of October. The kids and I are SOOOO anxious to get going again but with the new baby and the move the first week of Oct. It just isn't going to happen sooner.

Kathleen, my other three were good about going right back to sleep after nursing too. Caleb however wants to stay up. He isn't fussy, he just is awake. A cute, wiggly-squiggly little bug! I'm convinced that's why God made him so cute....awake for 4 hours in the middle of the night.....yes, God had to make him cute.

Thank you all for the replies. Very helpful!

Oh my, a move! Goodness I don't know how you're doing it. Well definitely wait on starting school. Goodness. We took, well, way too long off with our last move and we didn't have an infant. I really would be embarrassed to say how long it was (it certinaly wasn't several months or anything.... )