Placement question

[tkrasnake]

I am considering HOD for my daughter's second grade year. However, I am unsure as to start with Beyond Little Hearts or Bigger Hearts. After reviewing the placement chart, I feel she fits the Bigger Hearts criteria with the exception of "done with phonics". She has had two years of phonics and I was planning on having phonics again in 2nd grade. So, is she finished? She is reading on a 2nd grade level and can read independently, but it is not her favorite thing to do. Also, to make this a little more complicated, I have an advanced 4 year old that I plan on starting in kindergarten level work. I'm not sure how to classify her. We may spend one year on kindergarten or it may take us two. I plan to just move at whatever pace she sets. It would be wonderful if I could use the same curriculum with both of them, but really don't see how that is possible. If we use Little Hearts for both of them, would my 2nd grader be bored? My 4 year old knows all of her letters and sounds and can write most of them. We started blending some at the end of school and she did not have any trouble doing that. She has been asking to learn how to read. So, this was her idea, not mine. She can count to 30, do simple addition and subtraction and recognizes most of her numbers to 10. Here is a little more background on my older daughter: This will be her 3rd year with Singapore math, so she is ready for the 2a and 2b series. She can write simple paragraphs, although her spelling is terrible. Her manuscript writing is acceptable at worst and beautiful, when she wants it to be. She has been asking to learn cursive, so I plan to let her learn in 2nd grade. She is 6 years old now but will be 7 in September.

Thanks,
Teresa Rasnake

[Mom2Monkeys]

Hi and welcome! I would say if she is within the age range and places in Bigger, then Bigger will fit well! Perhaps using the emerging reader set in place of phonics will help solidify her skills as well as develop a love of reading. She sounds as if she is on that level. The schedule for that is in the Bigger guide. There is dictation in the guide as well to use for spelling-- you will be amazed at the increase in her skills from using dictation and Carrie's method's to teach spelling!! Cursive lessons are planned as well.

If you plan to start LHFHG with your 4 year old, I would start half pace. It's not all about academic skills, and age is an important factor. There's much to grow into in Little Hearts and it's an important foundation! Narration, math, listening skills, etc. I had a 4yo that was ready to learn to read so we start LHTH and added phonics and Singapore Earlybird math 1A/B. It was great! He's now starting LHFHG as is much more mature and ready for it. She might grasp LHFHG, but you might find that you get to other guides too soon and it might just be too heavy a load for her, content wise.

Gotta run! I have bedtime escapees! LOL

[my3sons]

I second Tamara's advice - that was exactly what I was thinking as well. I'd do Bigger Hearts with your second grader. It sounds like it fits her perfectly. I'd do Little Hearts half-speed with your 4 yo. She sounds ready for it. We did Bigger Hearts and Little Hearts half-speed 2 years ago with our sons, and loved it. It was very easy to do 2 programs, and I was relieved both dc were getting their needs met. Our school day lasted about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. My son doing LHFHG was done in 45 minutes and skipped off to play, or independently work in the computer, listening to audio books, coloring, doing puzzles, watching Leap Frog video - he loved this! And I loved that my teaching time was kept to a minimum, and both of my dc were doing what they needed to for school, without my little one feeling "dragged along". HTH! I think you'd thoroughly enjoy this combination, and I can tell you from experience it is a great combo down the road as well!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Teresa,

I agree from what you've shared so far that Bigger Hearts for your older child and LHFHG for the younger (at half-speed) would be a great fit. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance.

Blessings,
Carrie