For those who have done Beyond and Bigger...

[2ndTimeAround]

Would it be good to spend some time this summer reading a few books from Beyond if we're going into Bigger this fall? We will be new users of HOD and I've read that each program stands alone, but my sons (8 and 9) have never had any American history at all. Will Bigger make more sense to them if they have some background knowledge or should we just jump right in this fall? What books would you recommend?

Thanks for your opinions! I may need to ask several questions before I figure out what we should do:-)

Rebekah

[water2wine]

I think you will actually be OK. We did Bigger first with the older kids and now I am doing Beyond for the first time with my younger kids. I found it worked fine to do Bigger with no previous HOD experience. It is more about being at the right skill level more than the history gelling. Beyond builds the skills needed for Bigger but the placement chart will place you right whether youo have HOD experience or not. Usually I think the big thing is learning to listen and do narration skills. Sometimes it helps to start at half paced until you get the hang of that. But as far as the history making sense you will be fine. If you want to read one just for fun Pioneers and Patriots is a fun one and could definitely be read in the summer. I think you are definitely fine though just going into Bigger. The program flows great just on it's own. HTH

[Mom2Monkeys]

Just saying I agree with w2w. I've done Beyond and am doing Bigger now. I think it's find to jump in at Bigger if that's where your child places!

[my3sons]

I agree - if that's where dc fit on the placement chart, Bigger Hearts is the best place to start!

In Christ,
Julie

[2ndTimeAround]

Thanks, ladies, for your replies! That gives me more confidence about starting Bigger in the fall. For those of you who missed my first post, both of my sons have learned English as a second language. In fact, the younger one is still learning, but coming along very well! He amazes and amuses us every day with something new and/or funny. They both listen well to read-alouds and love to narrate. Skill levels place the older one in Bigger, so that's what we're going to try. I'm sure I'll be back with other questions. You are so very helpful!

Rebekah

[water2wine]

Thanks, ladies, for your replies! That gives me more confidence about starting Bigger in the fall. For those of you who missed my first post, both of my sons have learned English as a second language. In fact, the younger one is still learning, but coming along very well! He amazes and amuses us every day with something new and/or funny. They both listen well to read-alouds and love to narrate. Skill levels place the older one in Bigger, so that's what we're going to try. I'm sure I'll be back with other questions. You are so very helpful!

Rebekah

I missed where you said they were learning English as a second language. Where does the youngest child place on the placement chart? As long as he has some overlap into Bigger and seems to place fairly well in that I think you should be OK. If he is strongly in Beyond then I change my answer. When you are trying to combine it always seems to pretty much work better to go with the maximum skill level of the youngest and then beef up if needed for the oldest one. Your children are certainly close enough to combine age wise but just knowing now that English is a second language I am wondering how fluent they are and where the younger one places. If you find that Beyond is sold for the youngest I will tell you from experience Bigger is fine for a 10 year old (thinking that is where your oldest would land if you did Beyond) and Preparing also works well for an 11 year old. You want to start with the best fit for both but most important is that the youngest one does not get lost. Having said that if they seem to place well in Bigger having not done Beyond should not be a problem at all.

[2ndTimeAround]

Thanks, Water2wine, for the extra tips. I should clarify that DS9 is now proficient in English and definitely places in Bigger. I'm almost certain that Beyond would not challenge him enough. DS8 has only been home for 6 months and doesn't fit into the placement chart anywhere:-) We are simply working on speaking, reading, and writing English and math at his level. This is working well and he also learns a great deal from our reading aloud. We have chosen not to purchase a curriculum based on his ability level now because it is quickly changing and he will be 9 years old in August. I understand why most people would select based on the younger one's level and "beef up" for the older. Our situation is a bit unique and is complicated by DS8's older age at adoption. This has been a challenging part of older child adoption and I'm having to let go of some expectations regarding norms.

Based on what you have all written about the Bible and character education in HOD, I'm so excited that both of my sons will be getting this across the program. We do read the Bible and Awesome Book of Bible Facts each day and they have been so excited to learn about God's word. It will be great for them to have it woven into all subjects.

All advice is appreciated! It may be that we end up doing 2 programs in the fall - one for each boy. I'd much prefer to keep them together since they are so close in age and interested in the same things.

Rebekah

[water2wine]

All advice is appreciated! It may be that we end up doing 2 programs in the fall - one for each boy. I'd much prefer to keep them together since they are so close in age and interested in the same things.

I can understand why you would too for bonding reasons as well. Congratulations! We adopted four but we did it much younger, as babies and toddlers. I don't have any experience with adopting and then teaching older kids. It sounds like you have a very well thought out plan. You will love HOD. We really enjoyed Bigger. In fact I am doing it again with my younger two next year.

[2ndTimeAround]

Thank you, W2W! It's so good to hear from someone who is walking a similar road to ours! I look forward to hearing about your experiences with Bigger in the fall.

I'm feeling more confirmation about our choice of Bigger for DS9 and we'll see what little brother needs at the end of the summer. He's really getting more excited about learning now that he can see progress. Today he said, "Mommy, I love my homework." Let's hope that attitude will last for a while!

Rebekah