Carrie...can I get your input here?

[Tree House Academy]

I am really struggling with where to place my child who will be 6 next year if I do not combine the kids for Bigger. My older will do Bigger, as planned with the extensions. My younger is the problem. He fits beautifully into Beyond. However, if I put him in Beyond, that means he will move on to Bigger the following year which will leave me doing one guide twice in a row. In some ways, that is great because whatever tweaking I might do won't have to be done again and I can tailor it to the next child as I am moving along through it this year. However, it will also be painfully boring to do it two times in a row, I am afraid!

Looking at Little Hearts, I just keep thinking it looks and feels too young for my 6 y/o. He is young, but advanced in many areas. He loves to read and is reading very well already. He also writes well, spells quite well, and has never been interested in acting things out, etc. Like I said, he fits beautifully into Beyond.

H.E.L.P. Should I just combine them as planned in Bigger for 2009-2010 (ages 6 and 10) and do later years as follows:

2010-2011: 7 y/o (2nd) does Beyond, 11 y/o (6th) does Preparing (w/extensions)
2011-2012: 8y/o (3rd) does Bigger (again, more in depth), 12 y/o (7th) does HHTT (w/extensions)
2012-2013: 9y/o (4th) does Preparing, 13 year old (8th) goes to next manual
2013-2014: 10 y/o (5th) does HHTT, 14 year old goes to highschool classes ...(is there going to be a highschool level???)
2014-2015: 11 y/o (6th) does next level...

[funkmomma71]

Well, I'm not Carrie, but it sounds as if you should use Beyond with your 6 year-old. If you try to put him in program which is too advanced for him, you both will probably be frustrated and unhappy. As for boredom, I wouldn't worry too much about that, you will still be doing something new with your older one, and your younger one will most likely have a different approach to the material which will be fun for you to see. If it weren't for having pictures and my dd's journal I wouldn't remember all that we have done this year and most of it would seem new again.

[inHistiming]

Carrie is at conference this weekend, but I'm sure she will respond upon her return.

I'll be using LHFHG with my 6 yo (in June) this fall, so I would recommend starting there. You can easily adjust the levels of Math and English, etc. (the basics) s needed. Having done Beyond with my dd for 2nd grade, I personally don't think my 'young' 6 yo could sit through those readings. LHFHG should be just right.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck deciding!

[icukirt]

My son will turn 6 at the end of September (we did kindergarten this year) and I am probably going to use LHFHG and use the Beyond for math, science and phonics. I just discovered HOD and would like to take advantage of some of the things that LHFHG can offer us that I don't feel we totally covered. Once we get into the swing of things we will also start the emerging readers. When I looked at the placement he fits many of the Beyond parts, but since I will use the curric again for my younger daughter I am ok and if we end up fitting more into Beyond we will go ahead and make the switch. Carrie sent me a great email after I emailed her my concerns, so I am sure she will have great input for you!! I love that about the HOD...such personalized care for each family.

I look forward to hearing what others have to say.
Kirstin

[Tree House Academy]

My ds will also turn 6 the last of September...but I just feel like LHFHG is too "young" for him. He loves to listen to me read. As a matter of fact, pictures are not an issue for him. Right now, he sits quiet as a mouse in the car and is listening to the entire "Spiderwick Chronicles" on CD. He even discusses it with me when we get out of the car.

Here is what he will be using outside of HOD in 09-10. These were already purchased and are already working for him, so I am not going to switch just yet.

LLATL Red (this is the 2nd half of phonics from LLATL blue. We will drop LLATL for CLE LA once we finish red).
Explode the Code books 5-7
Pentime Handwriting 2
Map Skills Grade 1
Singapore 1B/2A
CLE Bible 100

I feel like he is a bit ahead of the curve right now with regard to his reading and maturity level. Like I said in my original post, he fits beautfully into Beyond...

The only issue is...not only will I be repeating Bigger, I will continue to repeat one manual EACH year until my older stops doing HOD! Unless I skip preparing with my older and go straight to HHTT, but I don't think I will do that.

[faith0428]

My daughter is in first grade this school year and fit perfectly in Beyond also, but since her little sister was starting Kindergarten this year and I have two little ones running around, I put them both in LHFHG for my own sanity of making things as simple as possible. I do however use Beyond for the math, language arts, and emerging readers. It has been working out really well. And honestly, even if you did start your son with Beyond I don't think you would be bored with doing Bigger two years in a row. Every child is so different, so it wouldn't be exactly the same as it was when doing it with your daughter. Wish I had more advice to give. I hope you can get it all figured out.

[Tree House Academy]

Thanks! I had just read comments about using them two years in a row...I think even Carrie had suggested not to. That is why I want to see what she thinks. I think it will be fine too...but I am not nearly as familiar with this curriculum as you all are. Thank you so much for your input.

[Tree House Academy]

Bumping for Carrie.

[Rebecca]

Hi Rebecca,
I am a Rebecca too.
I had a child who placed perfectly into Beyond this year too...
I ended up putting him in Bigger with his brother. It is working much better for our famiy. However, he is 7- so older than your little guy- but I would not classify him as an "advanced" student.

I would either use the Beyond Guide with your little guy for his skill learning, and combine the left side of Bigger plus storytime- or combine completely in Bigger- adjusting skills for your six year old as needed.

This is if you really feel that Little Hearts is not a good fit for him- which it sounds like you think it wouldn't be. I have a six year old using Little Hearts and he adores it.

Personally, based on what you wrote- I would combine him in Bigger. You can always scoot down a manual if needed.
Hope this helps,
Rebecca

[Carrie]

TreeHouse,

The ladies are doing such a good job of discussing possible options with you! As you can see, finding your fit with HOD differs from family to family, so there are actually quite a few possible options that would work for you. I responded to a similar post of yours on a different thread where I gave my opinion on this, but only you can truly know best. I'll pray that you have peace with your decision.

Blessings,
Carrie