heartofdakota.com

My scenario: I have a 6 yods, two 8 yods, and a 10yods. (The 6 and 8 yos have birthdays in December).

Would you put them all together in Bigger, or would you get a younger program for the 6 year old? The 6 yo does NOT read yet. The 10 yo doesn't read well. The 8 year olds are right on target.

I have 2 preschoolers and 4 jr/sr high aged children I'm schooling as well.

How old are the preschoolers? You could start the preschoolers and 6 yo in Little Hands and add in a reading program for the 6 yo, and put the 8 and 10 yos in Bigger. I wouldn't put the 6 yo with them if he's not reading yet.

Wow, you are one busy lady!

Jen

Hi! I am new here and haven't gotten my books yet, so I am not much help. But, I think I would tend to try to use 2 programs. Three seems overwhelming, in my opinion! I think with 2, you could pick and choose things to suit all of their needs. I am sure other moms with experience will chime in here. I have a lot of experience combining stuff, but am new to HOD!

Well,
I have an 11, 8, 7, 5, 2, and 6 month old.

I put the 11, 8, and 7 year old in Bigger and the 5 year old in Little Hearts and the 2 year old in Little Hands.

I would put the 6 year old in Beyond.
Bigger would be too much work for a 6 year old non-reader.

Colleen,

Have you checked the placement chart on the HOD web site?
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

You may be able to place him in Beyond...or Little Hearts...depending on where he falls on the placement chart. Little Hearts...has a phonics box in the manual where you are scheduled to use one of the reading programs. Beyond... has a box in the manual each day where you can choose to use your phonics program, the emerging reader's schedule or a reading program (like DITHOR) for those who are independent readers. I wouldn't recommend putting him in Bigger, as it requires more writing and is better suited for your 8 and 10 yo's. If your 10 yo still needs practice reading, there is an emerging reader's schedule in the appendix of Bigger... and Beyond..(same list) he could follow for practice until he's ready for DITHOR or your own reading program.