heartofdakota.com

Ok, so James (almost 6) will be in LHFHG-we have it!
Abby is 10 (5th)
Joshua 8 (3rd)
Abby fits into CTC
Joshua fits into Bigger
I really want to combine them. I'm pulling up the weeks at a glance for Bigger and Preparing now. As Excited as I am about CTC, I know Joshua couldn't do that work. Preparing looks doable If some of the independent stuff is tougher he could do it with Abigail. I'm not sure what the independent science reading level is, since they are doing it together, Abby could read it to him. He is going into 3rd but his reading is still very choppy. I know he could handle Bigger, although we have spent a few years on US history already and I was kind of hoping to dive into some world history. I could do the extensions for Bigger for Abby though... What are your thoughts on my blabbering? LOL! I want to combine as much as possible with 6 little ones so far...
Lisa
Abby 10
Joshua 8
James almost 6
Toby 4
Levi 2
Emma Grace 7 months

My vote is to beef up bigger. I am not an expert, but I do know that hod works best w beefing up rather than having a younger student pairing w the older. I can understand why you want to combine and it looks like it might be possible, but I think many times the oldest is anxious to go ahead. Im not sure the dynamics, but you could run into some problems there. HOD is built for them to be on their own much of the time once you get into that "middle grade" area from about ctc on. Just some things to ponder.

I agree with the vote for Bigger. Bigger with extensions is appropriate for up to grade 5. If you had your older reading the independent things to the younger from Preparing, you defeat the purpose of the independent work, which is to train the children for more independent work in the later guides. Then you would be always doing that, and that skill progression would be lost. I think Bigger with extensions for your older (and skill appropriate math and grammar) will be a good way to go if you need to combine. On the other hand, if your older fits well in CTC and it's within your budget, almost the whole thing (CTC) is independent or semi-independent, so she could really fly while you work with your younger in Bigger.

You have 2 good options here. Option 1 would be to combine your 2 dc in Bigger Hearts, having your older child do the extensions. Option 2 would be to have your oldest do CTC, and your younger ds could do Bigger Hearts.

One idea would be to begin with Option 1, and if it becomes obvious your oldest needs to be more independent, and that would just be easier anyway, you could up the older to CTC.

Lourdes makes a good point that CTC is pretty independent. If our oldest is ready for it, it honestly could be easier to do Option 2. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie