Question about combining 6th and 8th grade

[andreaewing22]

Hi there,

I am looking at doing HOD next year after seeing some of my friends with younger children have such a great time and success with it. I would be starting it with my 6th grade dd who is self-motivated and advanced in reading. We would like to "co-op" with a friend who is bringing her 6th grader home from public school and her 8th grader home from a Christian school (these are the grade levels the girls are all going into come the fall). My question is: can we do Preparing for all 3? Her 6th grader isn't as comfortable with reading and her 8th grader is doing well with it and has done a year of Abeka. My thought was that she could do Preparing with both and add the extension pack for the 8th gr., using it if necessary for the 6th gr. and also uping the anty a bit by doing higher level books with DITHOR. These assumptions are all based on the research their mom and I have been doing through the catalog and online as well as input from one of our friends who is doing HOD (not sure which book she is in right now). I'd appreciate any input. Our girls all get along well and we feel that doing a small co-op with them together would help the sisters who are coming home to adjust to the change. We looked at doing CTC but don't want to push the younger 2 and, we don't want to run out of guides since it all looks so great!

Thank you!
Andrea
Sarasota, Fl

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board, Andrea! It sounds like you have some exciting days homeschooling ahead of you. I would love to help you sort through this, but before I get ahead of myself, could you please take a look at the placement chart and give some information about where each of the 3 girls' fall in reading, writing, and math - as well as where you think each of them would place individually. You could print it off and have your friend circle the descriptions on the chart that fit her 2 dd's. Then, we can all give you the best combining in 1 program scenario possible, since that is what you are interested in right now. Here is a link to the placement chart:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Both Carrie and I will be off and on the board more sporadically this weekend since we're attending a book fair in TX, but we both will get back to you as soon as time allows. The ladies on the board - as always - will be excellent counsel too! I just didn't want you to wonder why it was taking a bit in case it does. I know we can find a great HOD fit for you and your goals, and we'll work together on it until you feel at peace with it.

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Andrea,

I just wanted to welcome you to the boards! We are popping in to answer the board this evening and will be checking in this weekend too. I'd love to help you as well if you can look over the placement chart that my3sons linked you above.

I look forward to hearing back from you when you get a chance.

Blessings,
Carrie

[andreaewing22]

I'm sorry to take so long in replying. I tried several times to reply but the board wouldn't let me. I just got everything reset. Thank you! Anyhow. After talking to my friend, she has decided that her girls will fit best with the 8th grader doing CTC and her 6th grader doing Preparing. I will put my 6th grader in CTC. I have read your comments and heard from users I know that it is good to bring the younger up to the older but they feel better, with being new to homeschooling, having the younger in Preparing. We both think that she will probably do well in the CTC science though, as she has a strong interest in science. That will be our emphasis for our co-op time. I'd love to hear any other ideas for combining the girls in a co-op.


Thank you for your help and guidance!