How do you combine?

[LAB]

This is our first yr with HoD and we'll be using Bigger for both of my girls. I've always combined them with their schooling, but have found some subjects necessary to separate them for individual work with me. I'm trying to work out a routine to start with and I'm wondering if there are specific areas you'd recommend I do individually with my girls? Dictation seems like a very individual activity. This will be our first time using this method and I'm excited! DITHOR seems like it can be either depending on the day. Grammar and Bible could go either way I think. We're going to try Singapore math coming from MUS. I'll be using the math lessons in the TM. I'm not sure if I should combine them for the activity. They are in the same math level and I've combined instruction when they were cooperating and separated them when they fought or one was feeding the other answers (they tend to go back and forth on who understands it more quickly).

I'd love some advise on what to combine and what to do individually so I can work out a routine. I'm excited to start and have been rearranging my homeschool shelf all afternoon!

[LindaOz]

I have two children using Bigger at the moment. We combine for history, science, Bible, poetry, music (hymns), history and art activities, and the storytime. Math, dictation, grammar, and reading is done separately. One of the girls does the history extension readings and writing too, so she does these on her own.
I find that content subjects work well for combining, while the skills subjects work better if each child works at her own level.

HTH

[MomtoJGJE]

From what you said I think you could combine in everything.... depending on the day I see no reason to not combine in the left hand side, Story Time, or Science, which would leave math, DITHOR, and cursive/grammar/dictation. Dictation would just depend on each child and their progress. I could see it being not combined. R&S Grammar they could easily do the same lessons in if they haven't done it before. Neither one of them would necessarily need extensions. You said they were in the same level math.... handwriting depends on what you've done up to now, but shouldn't need to be separate.

I think you have absolutely the best situation to combine in!

[LAB]

Thank you both so much! My girls are academically like twins in every way but reading and spelling. My younger (they are only 16 mths apart) is naturally inclined to excel in reading and spelling. My oldest struggles in language skills. They've been in the same level of grammar the past two yrs. Same for math. We did intro to cursive this last yr, so I was going to have them both do copywork.

I think I'll try combining in everything but dictation to start. My girls are very different in their spelling abilities! I don't want my oldest to feel bad if she doesn't take to it quickly. She has a speech delay. I suspect she has an audio processing difficulty that she seems to be growing out of as she gets older.

[my3sons]

Laura - You have already received good advice here -aren't these ladies great? I'll just add that I think you are wise to consider the feelings of your dd with a speech delay when it comes to reading and spelling. Keeping up with sis' could bring some tears. I think you may want to do dictation and reading completely separately, meaning like in totally different rooms out of "earshot". Dictation takes literally 5 minutes, so that won't be hard. For DITHOR, they could do their "All Levels Together" days, which are noted in the TG's plans, together. The together days include the kickoff, prereading activities/discussions (all levels together days), one Godly character trait day, and the 5 day end of the unit project wrap-up. On the other days that are not "All Levels Together" days, I'd work with the twins separately. This will have them each reading on their own level at a pace that suits each of them individually, and each answering their own discussion questions. This will not take long to do and will be worth the individual attention each will receive, at least IMO. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[water2wine]

We do things the same as others have suggested. Just want to really agree with what Julie is saying. When one is delayed and working on the same level as a younger sibling or one that they may think they should be on the same level with it is huge to try to give the one with delays privacy. But also be prepared that even though you give privacy it may come out so talking about gifts God gives that may be different but not say "better" or something of that sort or how you are not competing is really a good thing to do before any comparison actually happens. That way if it does happen you can work through the feelings easier. But having said all that I really think the way HOD is set up is wonderful for being able to combine and still meet them at their needs so I know you will love it with your children. I have a 7 and a 9 year old who are very close in academics except for a few things. One is ahead and one is pretty much on track. Next year I will combine them with my dd who is older with CP becasue she is similar in the main core and then I can customize with LA and Math. The flexibility in HOD has really been a blessing for us.

[LAB]

Our house is set up with the kitchen, dining room and family room along the back of the house. We do most of our school at the dining room table. It's easier for me to keep an eye on my baby and toddler this way. We had a school room which was great until they were born. Our living room is quite isolated in the front and is a nice quiet spot for reading. I spend one on one time with reading with them while the other takes a break and plays with the boys. I'm still a little unsure about grammar. I think I'll try combining and see if they would benifit from individual instruction. Dictation and reading I'll for sure work with them in the living room where its private and quiet.

My girls while on the same academic level are total opposites! Christine struggles in language while Nicole comes by it naturally. Christine is naturally gifted in drawing and fine motor skills and is great with babies! Nicole loves to sew, cook and clean the bathroom! They are so different that we've worked out not comparing abilities a lot over the yrs. They compare themselves the least over academic areas. I do try to keep areas like reading individual so they don't notice as much.

[my3sons]

Our house is set up with the kitchen, dining room and family room along the back of the house. We do most of our school at the dining room table. It's easier for me to keep an eye on my baby and toddler this way. We had a school room which was great until they were born. Our living room is quite isolated in the front and is a nice quiet spot for reading. I spend one on one time with reading with them while the other takes a break and plays with the boys. I'm still a little unsure about grammar. I think I'll try combining and see if they would benifit from individual instruction. Dictation and reading I'll for sure work with them in the living room where its private and quiet.

I think this sounds like a really good plan for utilizing the space in your house in the best way possible! You know, when I first began homeschooling, I didn't think of this. I didn't sit down and think about how I could best use the space we had, and I really should have, because it wasn't much space. I think that thinking this through is really important to do. When we moved to the house we are currently in, I thought things through better, and things have just gone so smoothly. I like the idea of using your living room as a more private area to school. This will be great for reading and for personal discussions. Likewise, the dining room table will be good for seatwork. It sounds like your family room will be a good place for your read alouds and cuddle up on the couch type times together with the girls. Great ideas!

My girls while on the same academic level are total opposites! Christine struggles in language while Nicole comes by it naturally. Christine is naturally gifted in drawing and fine motor skills and is great with babies! Nicole loves to sew, cook and clean the bathroom! They are so different that we've worked out not comparing abilities a lot over the yrs. They compare themselves the least over academic areas. I do try to keep areas like reading individual so they don't notice as much.

My boys are quite opposite too - though they do share some of the same interests. Your girls sound so precious. I really do love reading posts like yours, where moms describe their dc with such clarity. Isn't it a blessing to truly know our dc? I remember when I used to teach ps, some parents would ask me who their dc were friends with, if they liked reading at all, etc. It made me sad for them and for their dc. Anyway, sounds like you have a super plan in place here!

In Christ,
Julie

[LAB]

You describe our current use perfectly. We move from reading at the couch with a toddler in my lap, to the table for writing. Sometimes they take a clipboard to the couch and work next to me if I'm nursing the baby. With two little ones we have to be flexible! I sometimes read at the table while they eat if the opportunity presents itself.

We've had so many different situations for school as our needs have changed. When we built this house last yr I tried to image different situations as my kids got older. As they get more independent there are lots more options. Right now I'm needed to keep them on task.

Your story about parents not really knowing their children is quite sad. I also couldn't imagine having someone else having so many experiences with my kids. I remember when they were learning to read and it pained me to think of missing this milestone! I'm so thankful I got to be there every step of the way!