Help me choose...

[momx7]

Hello! I am new here. I like what I see but am completely clueless about where to place the kids. Most of my kids are on grade level in all areas. They are all strong readers except my dd#2 who is still learning phonics and reading easy readers.

DD#1- (14)going into 8th grade, just completed a World History course, history is her favorite
DS#1- (11)going into 6th grade, has sensory integration disorder, "allergic to the pencil" if you know what I mean
DS#2- (9)going into 4th grade, strong in all areas
DS#3- (8)going into 2nd grade, has trouble sitting still
DD#2- (6)going into 1st, reading early readers

I am thinking about grouping my 6yo and 8yo together in Beyond, grouping 9yo and 11 yo in Preparing, and putting my 14yo in Revival to Revolution. That is three guides. Seems like alot. Advice appreciated.

[tjswaine]

Hello! Combining your 6 and 8 year old in Beyond seems like a good fit. I won't comment on the other children as I'm not experienced with the upper guides. Here's a link to the placement chart if you haven't seen it yet. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
Welcome to HOD.

[momx7]

I considered placing the 6,8,9 and 11 yo all in Bigger. And Leaving my 14 yo in Revival to Revolution. However that would mean extending for my 11 yo and tweaking for my 6 yo. If I do alot of tweaking, I feel like I am missing the point of having everything planned out for me. KWIM??

I also considered Putting my 11 yo and 14 yo together in Resurrection to Reformation. And then grouping the other three in Bigger. I just don't know if my 6yo would be ready for it.

Is starting out with three guides even manageable?

[psreit]

I think your first plan sounds better. Bigger would, more than likely, be too much for your 6yo and if your 8yo has trouble sitting still, Beyond would probably be a better start for him as well. There is a transition in Bigger that may be too much for him. Those who have used it can tell you more about that. For that reason, I started my 7yo in Little Hearts rather than Beyond. I am so glad I did. She would not be ready for Bigger this fall. Beyond will be good for her at 8. You know your dc. This is just my opinion. You will love HOD.

[blessedmomof4]

There are others here that are doing three guides and are not finding it hard. Your first plan sounds perfect-the younger two in Beyond, the next two in Preparing, and the 14 year old in Rev to Rev. What is great about this plan is that Rev to Rev can be done almost completely independently by your oldest. Preparing will be training your two middles toward greater independence. Both of those guides are scheduled 4 days a week. Beyond will be great for your 6 year old and your wiggle boy there is lots of movement involved, to take advantage of that wiggly nature and channel it toward learning. By the way, Beyond only takes about two hours a day, and the other two guides about 4 to 4.5 hours. With the olders doing more independent work, you can be working with the youngers, and once you get into the routine you can finish with all of them in 5 hours or less! Beyond is scheduled 5 days a week, but you can easily do it only 4 days, thereby extedning the guide to last 9 weeks longer, and giving you the 5th day free for other things or for catch-up. I hope Julie, the editor (and the author's sister) can pop in and show her schedule, as she is working with several guides at once. Both Carrie and Julie are busy with conventions right now, but they do pop in when they can

[momx7]

I think my first ideas looks to be a better fit. However, I am nervous about doing three guides at once. My oldest does work well independently. And if Beyond only takes two hours, I think that it would be doable. Thanks for you help.

I am so excited to be going the the book fair in Arlington, Texas where HOD will have an exhibit. Most of the ladies in our co-op will be using HOD next year and we all want to see and hold the materials before ordering!

[Samuel'sMommy]

I don't have any advice for you, but it looks like all the other ladies are doing a great job. I just wanted to say welcome to the boards and to HOD!

[Carrie]

momx7,

The ladies have already done a great job of helping you! I agree that it sounds like your first plan is a good one. Even though you will be running 3 guides, you will find that your life will be busy no matter what you do, as you have a larger family, and they are bit spread out in ages, making the 3 guides necessary. We do run 4 guides at our house and find it not only possible, but enjoyable.

I also like the combination of Beyond (which is not very time intensive), Preparing Hearts (which is growing toward independence), and Rev2Rev (which will be quite independent). It is a good mix of guides and stages. Depending on what you are doing currently for curriculum, you could consider starting possibly the younger set or middle set now in their guide to ease into using HOD. This may not be feasible, but is an option that would make heading into next year easier. Otherwise, you can always stagger start, training the oldest to use her guide first, while doing the other two guides at half-speed, and then gradually moving up to full-speed as each set of kiddos gets more used to their guide.

Blessings,
Carrie

[momx7]

Thanks so much for your help. I am feeling a little better about three guides. Carrie is right. No matter what I do... it will be busy!