A couple of questions about Bigger...

[LeAnna]

Would you recommend doing the spelling list or the dictation, in Bigger, for a 2nd grader? We are finishing Spelling list 1 in Beyond, and wasn't sure which would be better.
Also, is it my understanding that they do the poetry copywork in addition to cursive?

Thanks!
LeAnna

[AnaDawson]

LeAnna,

We did both this year. At the beginning of the school year I tested my dd on each of the spelling lists. We did one spelling list per day. When she got to the point where she missed more than two or three words per list, I slowed down the pace to two lists per week. Whenever she only missed one word, I would correct her on it and test her on the missed word the next day along with the new list. We were done with the spelling portion of Bigger in about one month. After that we began dictation. Hope this helps.

[3sweeties]

Hi LeAnna,

We did the spelling list for 2nd grade. I knew it might be really easy for my DS (a natural speller), but I also knew he could use the review and it would increase his confidence. We didn't do any of the review weeks, but just went straight through, so we finished a week or two early. Probably could have pushed dictation, but decided to wait until 3rd for that. Glad I did it this way looking back!

Yes, they do poetry copywork in addition to cursive. I would have him copy 2-3 lines of the poem each day. I think at the beginning of the year I eased into it with him just copying 1-2 lines, depending on how long they were. I didn't worry about him always copying the whole poem in the beginning, but by the end of the year he was. HTH!

[my3sons]

Hi LeAnna! I'd be inclined to do Spelling List 2, if we'd just completed Spelling List 1. There is so much more to the plans for spelling than the lists. Here's a portion of a past post where I tried to explain this:

...the spelling plans in the LA box include additional skills that improve spelling and writing in general. They have dc use the words within context, come up with sentences of their own for the words (which works on meaning of words), etc. I just wanted to be sure that you got to take advantage of that, as the spelling lists are just one part of the plans, so that's a little different than the way most spelling list programs are set up. Our dc learned just as much or more from doing the LA box's plans as they did from the lists, and I believe the higher level of skills in the plans made it easier to transition into dictation. While they could have taken a test on the words and passed moving on quickly to other lists, it was the higher level skills in the LA box of the plans that really improved their spelling skills overall and helped them transition into dictation more easily.

The Level 2 dictation is meant to be done either during Bigger Hearts or during PHFHG. Here is a sample of the dictation, in case that helps you decide...
Dictation Samples:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1221

I think you will know best here, but I'd either do the Spelling or the Dictation, not both. Yes, dc do have copywork of their poetry, as much as they are able, along with their cursive lessons. Some dc may copy just a few lines a day and get as far as they do within the week, and others may be ready to copy enough each day to finish the entire poem within the week. My oldest could copy it all right at the start of Bigger, and my middle ds needed to copy a line a day, then 2 lines a day, and finally several months in he could divide it out to finish it by the end of the week. We also only had our sons do 1 vocabulary card for quite awhile until they grew into that skill. We did a good portion of R & S English orally. All of these kept the writing appropriately balanced for our 7 yo's doing Bigger Hearts. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Kathleen]

I'd also do the 2nd spelling list this year if I were you. We used the level 2 dictation (what's in Bigger) in "3rd grade", and while it was pretty simple, when you get the Preparing guide you'll be able to see how quickly the diffeiculty of the dictation ramps up. By level 4, they're quite the passages! (So I wouldn't be in a rush to get there. )

We actually started our year with Bigger by not doing the optional copywork. We added it in about 10 units in or something like that. (Writing was not a favorite activity here. ) When we did add in the copywork of poems, it was after I'd read someone say that the point wasn't to finish copying the poem. (NEVER would have thought of that on my own! ) It was a very pleasant thing to add at that point because I wasn't pushing Grant to "finish"...but to copy well however many lines we decided for the week. I let him copy on days 1-4 and then we quit wherever we were and he got to illustrate the poem on the 5th day. He LOVED this! And, believe it or not, he really liked finishing the whole poem (if it wasn't too long).

When will your girls be starting Bigger? (I can't believe they're getting that grown up already!!! )

Kathleen

[LeAnna]

Thanks! That helps a lot! As, I am flipping through Bigger, it seemed to make more sense to just go with the spelling list 2. I didn't think about not copying the whole poem either. I might have my younger do that, since that's going to be the majority of her writing, and have my older do part of the poem. Thanks for the thought!
We actually have one more semester left of Beyond, and then we will move onto Bigger. Would have been done sooner, but moving and life in generally, got in the way. But, I am so grateful, that I didn't have to really sit down and plan it all out with HOD. Love how open and go it is!
The girls are in 1st and 2nd now, and one more year before K, for Abraham. I can't believe how much they are growing, and so fast!
Kathleen, I can't believe how old yours are getting too! I still remember your oldest when he was a baby! Speaking of babies... almost time for your next little one! When did you say you were due?

LeAnna

[Busymomma1]

Thanks for the discussion on this subject. I like the idea of only doing 1 vocab word to start. My 7 y/o son is not a fan of writing, and is still on the cusp of beginning the ERS, so I don't want to push him too hard to the point he hates school. I like knowing Julie cuts back here and there, too, based on the child. Sometimes I feel like perhaps I'm doing something "wrong" if I don't do it all.

We'll be starting Bigger at the end of August, and I've been busy wrapping my mind around how to do it with 2 kids who are at vastly different skill levels when it comes to reading and writing. I so appreciate these discussions!

Be blessed!

[my3sons]

Thanks for the discussion on this subject. I like the idea of only doing 1 vocab word to start. My 7 y/o son is not a fan of writing, and is still on the cusp of beginning the ERS, so I don't want to push him too hard to the point he hates school. I like knowing Julie cuts back here and there, too, based on the child. Sometimes I feel like perhaps I'm doing something "wrong" if I don't do it all.

We'll be starting Bigger at the end of August, and I've been busy wrapping my mind around how to do it with 2 kids who are at vastly different skill levels when it comes to reading and writing. I so appreciate these discussions!

Be blessed!

Oh, Tricia, you're so kind! You know I am a big proponent of doing all of what's in the guide, as I am getting to help in the planning stages of the guides, and everything in the final cut of the guide is simply the best. I'm personally invested in it because I view the talks Carrie and I have as ways to put the dreams and visions about what is most important for our dc to learn each year lovingly into the guides. I wish I could take credit for doing just 1 vocabulary card, but it was Carrie's idea! When she said 1-3 vocabulary cards, I knew which end of that number range my little pumpkin had to be on, and it wasn't "3". I am happy to say we worked up to 2 cards by the end of 12 weeks of half-speed. We're on summer break now, but we'll be starting up again soon, definitely sticking with 2 cards for awhile - probably quite awhile. I cannot believe it is almost August! Where does the time go?!? My house needs more upkeep than time has to give. Anyway, I'm glad this chat helped others too, as I too take great encouragement from others on this board helping me to enjoy HOD too.

In Christ,
Juile

[MomtoJGJE]

I just have to say thank you for this thread... I honestly had never thought about DD not finishing the poem! That's why we didn't do much copywork with the poetry this year and just did handwriting. I knew she wouldn't finish half the time and thought that was the idea... now I see how silly that was....

[Kathleen]

I just have to say thank you for this thread... I honestly had never thought about DD not finishing the poem! That's why we didn't do much copywork with the poetry this year and just did handwriting. I knew she wouldn't finish half the time and thought that was the idea... now I see how silly that was....

Whew! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who never thought of this! I'm so glad for the wisdom I've gained from all of the ladies here on the board!

Kathleen

[theruffs]

regarding dictation...

My boys are on the older side of Bigger (3rd and 5th) and I've been wondering how to do dictation with them. Since level 2 is the only level included in Bigger, what would you all suggest I do with older students doing Bigger that are ready for a higher level? I think Level 2 will be too easy for both of my boys, but I don't want to buy another spelling curriculum because I would like to give dictation a try. We will be doing Preparing next year but I don't want to purchase the Preparing TM right now just for the dictation lists.. any suggestions?? I don't feel confident in choosing my own dictation passages because I've never used dictation before (actually this is the first time I'm homeschooling so I hardly feel like I know what I'm doing at all!)

Tracy

2 boys doing Bigger and 1 girl doing Little in the fall.

[my3sons]

The dictation passages build upon one another so beautifully, that I wouldn't want to choose dictation passages either, as all of that continuity would be lost. I'd either have your older just do a trip through the younger dictation, or get the PHFHG guide. I'd be inclined to get the guide because you're putting money toward something you'd use (and need) next year anyway. We did this for math before, and it was just the one year we had the purchase of the 2 guides. But you'll know best here!

In Christ,
Julie

[theruffs]

Thank you Julie! I may start in the middle of level 2 and then when the boys are done I'll just order the Preparing TM. I have a couple of questions (sorry! Just so new at this. I hope I'm not making you repeat yourself )

What do I do with the extra words under the Level 2 dictation passages? Do I make up extra sentences using those words, or use them as a traditional spelling list in addition to the dictation? Also... when we do move on to preparing next year, and we've already started Level 3 dictation, will we be "off track" or too far ahead evenutally where we would always be buying the next level up?

Thanks so much!

Tracy

[my3sons]

Thank you Julie! I may start in the middle of level 2 and then when the boys are done I'll just order the Preparing TM. I have a couple of questions (sorry! Just so new at this. I hope I'm not making you repeat yourself )

What do I do with the extra words under the Level 2 dictation passages? Do I make up extra sentences using those words, or use them as a traditional spelling list in addition to the dictation? Also... when we do move on to preparing next year, and we've already started Level 3 dictation, will we be "off track" or too far ahead evenutally where we would always be buying the next level up?

Thanks so much!

Tracy

That sounds like a good plan! As far as the extra words, they are meant just to be read individually and written individually at the end of the passage. I wouldn't worry about getting off track, as you may find dictation is harder than it looks, as we did. Chances are your dc will hit a spot where they have to redo passages for awhile, resulting in not completing a level every year anyway (though if we're close to finishing it by the end of the year - like last year we were 3 away from finishing it, I like to try to - just the "finisher" in me, I guess ). So, I did dictation 3 days after finishing the rest of school to finish it. If you find you do need the next level, you'll only be buying 1 guide each year anyway, as once you've bought the 2 the first time around, you'll always have the next one on hand and need 1 the following year anyway. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie