Beyond/Bigger Placement question--should I change?

[kvmck]

Hi Ladies,
I have enjoyted reading all the posts over the past few months, and now that I have a question I am confident that I will get some good advice!

I have a dd (age 7 will be 8 in March) and ds (age 8 will be 9 in Nov.) and I currently have them in Bigger. We are finishing up our 3rd week and we LOVE it. Heart of Dakota is truly an answer to prayer--it is what I have, quite unsuccessfully, been trying to do for my children for the past 2 years and I am SO SO blessed to have it now.

I am wondering if I should be using Beyond instead of Bigger. The amount of handwriting involved with Bigger is too much for my dd. I am using Singapore 1B and 2A with her. She is an emerging reader. My ds is almost an independent reader and while he struggles with the amount of handwriting in Bigger he can do it. In addition to HOD we are doing a daily Bible study which requires a little handwriting. We are also doing a handwriting program, b/c one reason they both struggle with handwriting is that they still don't form their letters properly--we have done handwriting w/o tears but it didn't "hold". So this year we are using "the writing road to reading" and they are both liking it but it is a re-training process.
When I do the placement chart my ds fits in Bigger and my dd fits better into Beyond---BUT I really want to keep them together b/c it is easier for me and because they enjoy "doing school" together and learning the same history, science, Bible lessons. Their favorite part of Bigger is the science and there are only 2 days a week of science in Beyond, but I was thinking I could add my own science in to supplement?
The reason this is "coming to a head" is that after 3 weeks, my dd no longer looks forward to school b/c she so dreads the handwriting part of it. On days with light handwriting she is fine but on other days....well, its not pretty And my ds will join into the "attitude party" as well and then things just go down hill!!

I would very much appreciate any advice/input.
Thanks, Kristen

[water2wine]

Kristen it sounds to me like if money is not an issue I might look into Beyond. And perhaps you can keep doing the LA and Math side of Bigger for your son. I have found it is much easier to beef up than it is to tone down. I think if money is not an issue that might be what I would do. On the other hand another option might be to purchase the Beyond manual for LA and Math for your dd and not require as much writing for her as far as copywork or vocabulary etc in Bigger. Perhaps by the time you hit Preparing she might be better able to keep up with the program. And then a third option might be to slow Bigger down and do it at half pace until your daughter is better able to keep up with everything or a combination of that and combining it with the Beyond manual rt side for your daughter. I slowed things down with LHFHG for the sake of my youngest to keep two together and had that work out really well for us. I am not sure what will be best for you but just wanted to get some options for you. Placement is a big key to having HOD work well for you so I am glad you are addressing it. Just an aside, I did Bigger with 9-11 year olds and found it was plenty full for us so going back to Beyond and waiting on Bigger would not be a bad thing in the end. Hope this gives you some information that might be helpful and does not confuse you more.

I agree that is it worth a little extra effort this year to be able to combine them in the long run. Once things like reading and writing skills even out then you are going to find combining later on will be much easier. HTH

[kvmck]

Thank you both for your input. I am concerned about the financial part (my husband was recently laid off) but the good news is that we already own all the books we would need for Beyond (except science) and would just need to purchase the teachers manual. And the really good news is that then I wouldn't have to buy anything except math for next year
It does help me to know that your 2nd and 3rd graders do not feel that Beyond is "babyish" because I was concerned that maybe it was Thank you so much...
your input confirms what I was feeling that I should change to Beyond this year.
I also feel like this will give us more time to do Little Hands with my sweet little dd who is 2 1/2. My 7 and 8 year old love to "teach" her and I love how the guide is so simple that my olders can actually teach their little sister!
Kristen

[water2wine]

Praying for your husband's employment. I know this is a really hard time to be laid off. Praying he finds something soon!

If going with Beyond is not an option for you, slowing down and doing the program at half paced and perhaps doing it over a year and a half or ever two years might be a good solution for you. Bigger is very full. You can definitely stretch it out if need be. You can always require less writing now and more later as they can handle it. Just wanting to give you some options. I am sure Carrie will see your question as soon as she is free to look and she will be very helpful to helping you find a plan. I have wiggled things here and there with HOD and she has been very helpful.

[funkmomma71]

Kirsten,

If they were my children I would switch to Beyond and eliminate some of the handwriting. My dd will be 6 years-old next week and her handwriting skills are blossoming under my less is more policy, meaning writing fewer words but doing her very best at what she does write. The other two things that are part of the handwriting policy are: 1) poorly written or rushed handwriting will be re-done and 2) her copywork will be bound as a keepsake. I was concerned about her handwriting at the beginning of our school year , but by implementing the rules above, her handwriting is very much improved and she loves to show off her copywork.
In regards to your dc skill levels and whether you should continue with Bigger or take a step back to Beyond, I would go with Beyond and beef it up where necessary for your ds. You may find that Beyond is sufficient on its own, but it is easier to beef up a curriculum then it is to tone it down and in the process of toning it down your dc might miss out on developing skills.

Best wishes!!

[my3sons]

The ladies have already given such wise advice, and I will just agree with it whole-heartedly! Doing Beyond with both and using the right side to beef up the LA and math as needed for ds will fit both of your dc well. I also think you'll find that while science is only 2 days a week in Beyond, the other subject areas follow more of that hands-on/activity based feeling that is so appealing in Bigger's Science. For example, the history activities in Beyond sometimes use flashlights, acting things out, creating maps with playdough, etc. So they should be perfect because they teach the key ideas well without requiring as much writing as BHFHG does. So, I think it will still have that feeling to the day they've come to enjoy during the active parts of science each day in BHFHG. I'd begin with Beyond as it is, only adding in whatever LA/math you think your ds needs from the right side of BHFHG, and see if you really need to add anything else. I think you'll find you love it as it is!

In Christ,
Julie

[Busymomma1]

Hi,
I'm doing Beyond with a just turned 8 y/o and a 6 1/2 y/o. I wondered if it might seem "below" my 8 y/o, too. But it really does seem about right. And if you are concerned about science, just add your own. I've added Sonlight General Science 2, and it's very easy for us to fit in. I agree with what another poster said... it's easier to "beef up" in areas than to simplify another. I know I feel "guilty" or like we are missing something if I simplify to much! Feel better adding than subtracting!

Just an idea...
Be blessed!

[kvmck]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I am excited about starting Beyond, and so are my kids. I am also thinking that if it is a little bit easier schedule then I can finish up a few things that I had leftover from the summer
Kristen

And thank you for your prayers as well regarding my husband's employment, we are believing for God's best and in His timing.

[Tree House Academy]

I am glad you decided to step back with your kids. I don't think you will be disappointed at all. My 10 year old is doing Bigger with Extensions and it is great for him. My little guy will get back to Bigger when he is 8 unless I decide to take Beyond over two year (and I might!). Let us know how it is going for you!

[Carrie]

kmvk,

The ladies have done such a good job of talking through your placement options with you. I fully agree that going with Beyond (and keeping any language arts and math portions of Bigger that are needed for your son) is a great idea.

When making a decision on placement, it is always wise to look ahead a bit. If your kiddos are feeling the writing is a bit of a load in Bigger Hearts, then the following year with Preparing Hearts would likely really be a struggle. So, by stepping back to Beyond, you will give your kiddos a bit of time to mature in the writing department (yet will keep the content interesting and engaging enough for their age). We pray that you will find the fit you are seeking within Beyond and are glad that you are enjoying HOD!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Mommamo]

I'm late to this, and haven't posted in ages LOL, but I wanted to add that I think that Beyond is a very full program. We had been doing it with my almost 6 year old who had completed LHFHG but have decided to take a break for a few months to focus on reading. I feel very comfortable with picking it back up whenever we do and using it as a 2nd or even 3rd grade program. There is so much in it. It also is not even remotely "babyish." None of the programs I've used so far (LHTH, LHFHG, and Beyond) are in my opinion. I think it'll be a great fit if you can go back and do it and then go on to Bigger. I'm thankful now that we're going to reach Bigger a little later than we would have because I think my dd will be better prepared for it by then (although all the guides do an excellent job of preparing dc for the next one).

[kvmck]

Just wanted to update all of you who were so kind to offer your insight--my kids are loving Beyond. They are so excited about all of it, and their attitudes are much more positive because they know they won't have to do handwriting with every other subject. I've added in some simple science with experiments one day a week as well as some U.S. geography one day a week. They read a devotion every morning and are also involved in a Genesis Bible study (which requires quite a bit of handwriting) and it seems to be perfectly challenging for both of them. My son, now that he is not doing a lot of handwriting, wants to do more so I am going to begin using Karen Andreola's "story starters" with him one day a week. I am so glad that we changed, thank you all for your help--it seems sometimes I need a push of encouragement from others in order to make a decision!

Kristen

[water2wine]

I am so glad you found the right fit! That is such a blessing. We are really enjoying Beyond this year. I am so glad it is working for you.

[my3sons]

That's great to hear, Kristen! We are enjoying Beyond at our house too. I'm glad you've found your groove and are now in for smooth sailing!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Kristen,

Thanks so much for updating us on this! I am thrilled that your kiddos are enjoying Beyond. It can take a bit of manuevering when combining kiddos to find the best fit for each family, but it is well worth the effort in the long run! We pray you have a blessed year!

Blessings,
Carrie