Considering with several questions...

[sted]

I'm thinking of doing Bigger with my 10 yr, 8yr. and 6 yr. old children. Just to clarify, the extension pack books, are they intended to be read-aloud to the child or for her to read herself?

Also, they DITHOR are another set of books, correct, not the extension packs.

Does sheduling with two levels of DITHOR and Bigger extension and regular get confusing???

One more, do you think I"d need to order a younger package for my 6 year old, such as Beyond or would that get really confusing?? I know I've read here that some use left hand of one program and right hand side of another. How does that work?

Thanks,
Shannon

[pollo_la]

I'm sure others with more experience then me will come along to help you, but it would also help to know just a bit more information about each of your children.

First, have you looked at the placement chart? All other combining senarios aside, what program does each of your children fit into on the placement chart? How well do your children listen to chapter books without pictures (especially your 6 year old)? How are they with writing? Can they copy a sentence or a paragraph? At what reading level are each of your children? I know once you answer these questions you will get the best advice possible for your situation!

[water2wine]

Hi Shannon. Welcome. What you said is right. There are read aloud books, extension to be read by the older students and then DITHR is a separate reading program. This placement chart will help you. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php I am doing Bigger right now. It is most likely too high a level for your 6 year old and they would most likely fit into Little hearts for His Glory or Beyond depending on their skill level. Take a look at the chart. It is actually easier to run two programs at the correct level than it is to try to fit a child that is too young into an older program so if at all possible that is the way to go. When you take a look at the placement chart let us know what you think. You will love HOD! I have about the same age range (5-11) as you and we are loving it. Hope that helps a bit.

[sted]

Thanks for your help! When you use more than one program, how do you schedule it? While my 10 year old is fairly independant (except for Math ,my 8 yeard old still needs alot of one-on-one for her to stay focused. My 6 year old is independant and quick for her age but of course I can't expect her to work independantly. I'd be curious how you teach the two programs together?

Thanks,
Shannon

[Carrie]

Shannon,

We're packing this evening to head out to our convention in St. Paul tomorrow, however I'll just pop-in to link you to a past scheduling thread that will give you a glimpse at how moms schedule more than one program. I'll specifically link you to the page where I share my own kiddo's schedule for using Bigger Hearts and Little Hearts and also my schedule for Preparing Hearts and Little Hearts. Scroll down to see "Carrie's" posts: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2093

Make sure you glance over the rest of the thread if my schedules don't appeal to you, as there are many different ways of using HOD as shown by the very diverse thread!

Blessings,
Carrie

[sted]

Thank you everyone, I will have a look at those schedules.

Shannon

[Carrie]

Shannon,

I just wanted to mention that based on the ages of your kiddos, you would most likely be looking at Bigger Hearts or Preparing Hearts for your oldest two and then either LHFHG or Beyond Little Hearts for your 6 year old.

If you get a chance to look over the placement chart, paying the most attention to the first page of the chart then that will really help with placing your kiddos best. After you've narrowed down where each kiddo fits on the chart, all combining scenarios aside, then you can next weigh if you'd be able to combine them within a program (and which one would be best for that). One other consideration would be whether you are planning to use HOD's language arts and math, or whether you'll be using some of your own options in those areas instead. This will make a different in placement too.

Here's a link to the placement chart: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

If you get a chance to pop back in and mention where each of your kiddos fall on the chart and what you'll be using for language arts and math that is really helpful to all of us in advising you better. It gives us a quick understanding of what each of your kiddos can do, and then we can help discuss possibilities.

Blessings,
Carrie