![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0023.jpg)
First thing, I reread the "Introduction" in the Bigger Hearts guide and jotted down what I needed. I wrote on the top of some sticky notes and marked each section I wanted to in the Bigger Hearts manual. These are the headings on the stickies:
Daily Plans, Storytime, Narration Tips, Dictation, Poetry. In the day to day, I really only need to move the Daily Plans, Dictation, and Poetry notes, but I like to mark the others at the start of the year as reminders.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0028.jpg)
Next, I labeled composition books, one for R & S English 2 and one for Dictation. I also got a small binder to put in his index cards he copies his Bible verses on.
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0055.jpg)
Then, I got a recipe box with ABC tabs and put some index cards in it for vocabulary cards.
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0027.jpg)
Next, I got out my Storytime book and divided the total pages by 20, since that's how long we read it, and put a sticky note in that reminds me to read about 10 pages a day to finish within 20 days.
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0029.jpg)
I got my DITHOR book choice and Student Book out next. I decided to have him read it all 15 days, so I divided the total pages by 15 and filled in the calendar for the month.
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0026.jpg)
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0025.jpg)
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0024.jpg)
I made the timeline next. Since my little guy is starting Bigger Hearts half-speed and is young, I doubled the size of it for him and made it fold out and fit in a folder. When my older ds did Bigger Hearts years ago, he did awesome with the timeline the normal size, but my middle ds is still working on his writing skills, so I'm using the same idea, just making it bigger.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0020.jpg)
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0021.jpg)
I put together a binder with clear plastic sleeves and tabs next. I have always done the binder and sleeves, but never done the tabs.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Image](http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj8/happymomto3/th_IMG_0056.jpg)
Finally, I put all of the things he needed now in a big blue tub, and put all of the books he'll get to later in the year in a small clear tub.
AND THAT'S ALL! This took me maybe a tad more than an hour. When I think of how LONG I used to take to prepare for school before I found HOD, I am soooooooo glad I no longer have to do that. Anyway, just thought I'd share in case it helps someone else, and my ds and I are VERY excited to begin BHFHG tomorrow!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
In Christ,
Julie