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This past school year (Sept. '10-May '11) was our first year using HOD. My dd, 3rd grade, is using Bigger; my ds, 2nd grade, is using Beyond. So here are my crazy questions...

1. With dd (Bigger) we got to Unit 22 before we ended for the summer. Do I finish Bigger in the fall when we begin again or do I go on to Preparing?

2. With ds (Beyond) we started kind of strange. I thought he wasn't quite ready for Beyond (I was wrong) so I was doing a little of Beyond and a little of Little but then after Christmas we went to Beyond full time. Now we are only on Unit 12 and we are done for the school year. Do I finish Beyond or move on to Bigger. He is ready for Bigger but did not finish the Beyond book. I underestimated his abilities when we started out.

What I was thinking of doing is have them read the various books from Bigger/Beyond for summer reading and then just get them going in the next book. This past year was a strange one for us so we did not "do school" every week. It almost ended up being every other week until after Christmas.

I am torn as to what to do. Any advise would be wonderul!

Hi Sara! I am wondering a few things. First, if you look at the placement chart with fresh eyes, where do each of your dc individually place now? Second, as this was kind of a strange year for things, were each of your dc doing every part of the plans in their guides well by the end of the year? Third, are you looking to combine some of your dc, and if so, who would combine well with one another according to the placement chart and their personalities? With this additional information, I would love to help!
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
In Christ,
Julie

Julie,

So...
Looking at the placement charts I feel that my son is ready for Bigger-no doubt! I also feel that my daughter is ready for Preparing-without a doubt. I would like my daughter to finish the English book just so she knows what is going on later.

I think what my issue really is, is that I love HOD so much I don't want my dc to miss a single thing! Also, not knowing what HOD was really like until I began to use it, I think I placed my ds in the wrong book to begin with and didn't realize it until Christmas.

I think I answered my own question here. But...do you think I should finish out the books? They both were doing very well in each of the boxes. Combining, that is the million dollar question for me. I tried some of that this year but then using different parts of another book to fill in what one dc needed more of was just too much work for me. I think combining is out for me for right now.

I feel the same way! I love HOD so much, that I don't want my children to miss any of it. I absolutely love Beyond - so much that I would hesitate to miss any of it. Is there anyway you can just add English 2 and the dictation from Bigger to beef it up a little? That way you could finish doing Beyond and not miss any of it.

I am a start to finish kind of a gal, though. I would have to finish it just because I can't leave things undone - and that's not always good either - especially if my child isn't placed well.

However, I do think that Beyond can be beefed up to meet the needs of the child. The read a-louds from Beyond are so fantastic - the history is wonderful too!

Yep, I'd have to finish it.

Thanks for answering my questions! I hate to ask this, but I just noticed in your siggie you have a 5 and 6 yo too, and now I am wondering about those little ones? Will they be combined in something, like LHFHG? Or would the 6 yo possibly join the 8 yo in Beyond? That would make a difference in my advice. If you could just share about them I think I'll have my thoughts more together on this as that will complete the picture forming in my mind. Thanks!!

In Christ,
Julie

Julie,
I think that I am going to combine my 5 and 6 year old for the most part using Little. It is crazy having kids so close in age but so different in abilities. Thanks for all your help!

Thanks for answering my questions, Sara! I think that I would stop BHFHG and start PHFHG with your oldest dd. With your 5 and 6 yo dc, I would start LHFHG, but you could certainly do it 4 days a week if you'd like. For your middle ds, I am still on the fence. If he is ready for the writing in BHFHG now, I'd start that with him, but if it will be an area to grow in, I'd finish out Beyond. The reason I ask this, is you will be doing multiple guides, which is not hard to do, but if a child is needing to grow into areas that are meant to be independent, then it takes more time and hand-holding from us moms. Here are a few links to look at that could help with the decision for your ds...

Amount of writing in BHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3005
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1516&p=11829

HTH! With our dc, I have found it much easier to teach them separately, as this fits their very different needs better, and helps them be able to do what they are asked to do well. I think you will probably find this to be true as well from what you've shared, but if need be, you could always combine your older 2 dc, by having your older dd finish out Bigger (but add extensions), and have ds do Bigger with her. Having the option to combine or not to combine within HOD is such a blessing! I pray you find the fit that's right for your family, and that something here can help!

In Christ,
Julie

Julie,
Thank you! That was very helpful. It is nice to have someone come from the outside and help you evaluate things.

I agree that it is easier to do multiple guides verses combining. I found it took too much effort to try and make the material work for each child and their differences.

God's blessings to you and thank you again!