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Hi All~

Just a quick question: I'm thinking about having my 1st grader go from Little Hearts this year into Bigger Hearts next year for 2nd grade. Since I'm new, I thought I would ask if there are any major red flags with doing this. I'm finding that LHFHG is SLIGHTLY too light for her... which is good for this year as I'm in WAY over my head with the curriculum I'm doing with my 3rd graders. Is there a problem with skipping Beyond? Will we miss a huge piece needed for Bigger Hearts? Thanks for any thoughts... ~Holly

What are your reasons for wanting to skip Beyond? That would help us to answer the question. Without knowing I would say you'll be missing a whole lot of fun and also I would be concerned about the amount of writing that Bigger requires as compared to Beyond. How are your dds writing skills? Just something to consider.

Thanks for asking!

My main concern is that since LHFHG is slightly too easy for her (she's enjoying it, don't get me wrong~and it's a blessing for me to be able to not feel overwhelmed with her year~especially with the workload attached to my twins year!!!), I'm thinking that Beyond will be too easy too. True? Or maybe I don't know enough about the program to accurately assess this, which is why I asked. That's really the only reason! She's in first grade and will be in second next year, reads at about a high second grade level and very good in math. Maybe that info. will help? I'll have to see where she places, too, at the end of the year. I was mainly just wondering if the programs build on each other~in other words, do you have to do the previous program to have the current one make any sense? Thanks again...

There is actually a lot to Beyond if you do it in full as intended. Little Hearts was slightly easy for my son, although he needed it to begin to develop certain skills. Beyond is perfect for him and so fun! You could always place her in math wherever she falls and go into DITHOR for reading. There are different ways parents approach DITHOR for a younger child. There are two spelling lists to choose from, but if she was beyond both of them you could purchase the Bigger guide and do the dictation. Some parents do the right side of Bigger and the left side of Beyond, which may be another option to consider. Maybe as the year goes on you will have a better feel for what you should do.

Oh that's good to hear! I wasn't planning on DITHOR~I had forgotten about that aspect. So if I do the full program AND DITHOR~that's a good amount for a second grader? Thanks again~Holly

While Little Hearts may seem too "light," Bigger Hearts for a 2nd grader (who hasn't even done Beyond) will be WAY HEAVY. Before you make a decision like that, I highly recommend putting a Bigger Hearts guide and some of the books in your hand and judging from there. My 10 year old did some of Bigger Hearts last year and while it was a little light for a 10 year old, it surely wouldn't have been "light" for a 7 year old! Bigger Hearts employs a lot of skills that are built up in Little Hearts and Beyond. Personally, I would NEVER consider skipping Beyond and going straight to Bigger with such a young child who is doing HOD right now.

Edited message below.

Thank you, this helps. Not being very well versed in this curriculum yet I take seriously first-hand experience. After what you said I think we'll trust that Beyond Hearts will be a good fit for a second grader (who will be 7). Thanks again! ~Holly

Hi Holly,

I think you've made a GREAT decision. Beyond will be a wonderful experience for your child.

Thanks Florence~it sounds like it's the way to go! Now I can't wait for next year!!!

Holly,

I just wanted to tell you our experience which should help you feel better about your choice. We used LHFHG for first grade with the math and LA from Beyond. Then for second grade, we used Beyond with the LA and math from Bigger. This year we are using Bigger as written except we are using R&S3 for grammar instead of 2, since we used that last year and we are using the Singapore 3 schedule in the back of Bigger. I think our LHFHG year was a light year, but it was very enjoyable and did add some valuable skills. Beyond was a little more, but still not a heavy year. This year in Bigger, it is up another level. The great thing I have found about climbing up the ladder of guides is that at each level, the more serious study increases and the lighter activities decrease. This all happens gradually so each year we're still having fun, but we're increasing the academics. I think all of the guides are paced well for the maturity of the dc and keep it at an intensity level that is appropriate for their age. IMO, I think this keeps the learning fun while at the same time progressing their skills each year. It's one of the things that I love about HOD!

Well thanks ladies! I keep hearing all of these wonderful things about Beyond that now I'm very excited to use it next year. You all made that decision very easy! ~Holly

Holly,

I'm so glad that the ladies were able to help you! The ladies on the board are so gracious with their time and truly have a heart for helping one another. I agree that the jump from Little Hearts to Bigger Hearts would be very large. So, you'll definitely want to do Beyond first. By adding on DITHR and possibly a higher level of math or dictation if needed from Bigger Hearts, you could easily up the 3 R's if needed but keep the rest of the learning at a more manageable level for a 7 year old. The only way we'd recommend heading into Bigger Hearts with a 7 year old would be if that child was just coming out of Beyond or was very advanced in the all of the 3R's.

Blessings,
Carrie