Placement Question for 5 yr old boy

[kimryan421]

My son turned 5 in December, he's reading on a 2nd grade level, just finished A Beka K math, is writing well, and able to copy sentences. I just purchased LHFHG to go through with him. At first I was planning on starting Beyond in August, he will be 5, turning 6 in December but now I'm not sure. What is the best way to go about this? Would it be a bad idea to finish LHFHG by Christmas, and after he turns 6 and Christmas break move straight into Beyond? I'm mostly concerned that when he advances into Bigger and Preparing the work might become too difficult and he won't be ready for the amount of time it will take each day.
Thanks,
Kimberly

[Nealewill]

I would definitely place a child within a guide designed for his age range. I have a very advanced dd - my youngest - that I made the mistake of placing her Beyond when she was 5. The year worked out great and she did well. But by the time we got to Preparing, she would be overwhelmed. I have her doing Little Hearts this year because I didn't want to bump her to Bigger. I have modified Little Hearts a little bit to make it more like Bigger but she will do Bigger next year. If it were me, I would have your child complete Little Hearts first and then move to Beyond once you finish Little Hearts.

[StephanieU]

I also have a child that was/is like yours with a December birthday. She had completed Horizon K math and phonics, and except possibly for writing and age, she placed into Beyond (she could write, but she just didn't like to). After lots of prayer, asking advise here, and waiting, I decided to go with LHFHG. And I am really glad I did. LHFHG was almost perfect last year. The rhymes were not a hit, and we some times adapted the dramatic play, but the readings were perfect for her. The first few units were actually a stretch, especially in storytime with the vocabulary used. We did continue with Horizon math and phonics, and then started the emerging readers when she was ready in January. We also added in some grammar at the end of the year when we were done with fine motor skills and Horizon Phonics. The thing I love the most about HOD is that you can easily modify the 3Rs to match your child where they are at without pushing them into content that is too mature for their age. It is so easy to continue at an advanced pace in math, reading, and grammar and still use the age appropriate guides.

[bethelmommy]

Your best course will be to progress systematically through the guides. Enjoy LHFHG. Start the Emerging Readers when he is ready. Do math and handwriting at his level. As StephanieU pointed out, the three R's are easily adjusted to suit your child's level. It is OK to finish a guide mid-year and then start the next one right away. Whenever you stop for school break, you just pick back up wherever you left off mid-guide .

[my3sons]

...Would it be a bad idea to finish LHFHG by Christmas, and after he turns 6 and Christmas break move straight into Beyond?...

I don't think this is a bad idea at all, but instead, it is a fantastic idea!!! This fits his age and ability well, and it won't have you shooting yourself in the foot by racing ahead in the guides only to find him eventually in a level that he is in over his head. My middle ds has for many of his homeschooling years been on a January to December schedule. He starts a guide in January, and he finishes in December. We take our summers off in the middle, and then return to finish his guide. It is like coming home to an old friend! My oldest, in contrast, is on a Sept. to May schedule with his guides, taking his summers off too. He starts his guide in Sept. and finishes it in May. My last ds is on an 'as needed' schedule. He is currently 3 units into Bigger Hearts for His Glory right now. Whenever my oldest ds finishes his high school guide, we'll stop and break for summer. All are thriving! I want to encourage you that learning to flexible with pacing of guides is something that can really be an incredible blessing! I was not able to do this at first. I am not naturally an ebb and flow kind of gal. But, the benefits are amazing! Happy children. Happy mama. Happy homeschooling. Getting done what we need to, just on a 'per child' basis. So, why not just enjoy doing 1 day's worth of plans from LHFHG each day until you are done, whenever that is, and then start Beyond? I think you'd both love it! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie