missing history genres and a few more ??

[Cherylanne]

As discussed in my other posts, we will be using Bigger for ds9 and ds10 with extensions.
Here's my idea... I want to finish out our science and history this month and then start the R&S grammar, the math programs, and reading. We need some catching up in these core areas (intense focus!). With this being my first year, I feel that we didn't cover enough ground. My idea is to do in April and May and then do 2 or 3 days/wk during June. Take July off and pick up with the full HOD the first of August. I will be working part-time and I will probably have 2-3 extra days a month where there will be no school. I need to work my numbers for this.

Since we will be in Bigger, are there any important that I may need to cover that they should have learned in Beyond?..will they have any history gaps if we do not? If so, could I do this through DITHOR to add a bit of writing. I tried to do my own "living book" approach on early Amercia...what was I thinking! :shock.

[my3sons]

Cheryl Anne - I really desire for this to be a peaceful start for you, and you sound like one busy mama - just like so many of us! The history will cycle around again 2 more times, so no worries there. As far as the "intense" catching up, oh dear, must you do that? I am thinking "intense" sounds tense, but I may be so off here. I so get the difficulty of trying to wade through the living book approach solo. I am thankful for Carrie writing HOD every day, as I get to just enjoy the living book approach and my teaching is CM style with HOD's plans (I think I would sabotage this on my own ). DITHOR will add writing, and it will teach excellent reading instruction as well. What are you feeling you really have to catch up on that is making you take your summer time off to do it? I may be able to help get you a relaxing break in the summer and a start to school that is happier as well-rested dc will be more eager and ready to learn - could you share a tad more about this and let me know if I'm off here? Thanks!

In Christ,
Julie

[Cherylanne]

Thanks Julie for your concern I guess what I meant by intense was to mainly stay focused enough the get the work done. I'm thinking 3-4 hours a week in the summer...not much. We haven't made it to adjectives and adverbs yet and I really botched their math up this year...bad! My main concern is just getting their basic facts down to continue to the next level and to continue to help ds9 with his reading. We don't plan to, but there is always the possibility that they may have to go back to school...finances, sickness, etc. I guess I feel like the whole scope and sequence of our year has been somewhat erratic..trying to find a program that would help Jesse with reading took a lot of trial and error. I could just not get in a groove of things. I have learned that I NEED a plan laid out for me. So that's where my "intense" is coming from.
Any ideas you have would be great.

[my3sons]

Oh thanks for explaining! I can see what you are saying here, and believe me, we wouldn't be loving moms if we didn't feel we'd botched some things up along the way. Blessedly dc are very resilient, and we moms do figure out what's going to work over time - and then I always think 'Well, at least now I know THAT for sure!'

I am wondering if you are trying to start Bigger Hearts slowly or if you are meaning you are trying to better prepare to start Bigger Hearts later? What exactly do you have to finish up as far as history/science, and which grammar/math/reading do you need to finish up? I'm not sure if these are HOD things or not. Sorry - I think I am confused and don't want to offer any advice until I make sure I'm thinking through this right. I'd love to help more when I know I'm thinking straight on what you are wanting. If you get a chance to answer those few questions, I'll definitely try to help with some ideas for you to consider!

In Christ,
Julie

[Cherylanne]

Yes, I'm trying to prepare for HOD later when we start after a short break. I want to finish the state history study and the science unit we are in with Christian Kids Explore.

For now I want to make the switch from Easy Grammar and Right Start to R&S 3 or 4 (??) and a different math program that I plan on using (one that is comparable to Singapore). And continue with these to see where I will need to review or pick up new concepts. And I definitly need to carry on with reading for the whole summer because ds9 is behind there...where I was thinking DITHOR would come in???

Hope the makes sense.

[my3sons]

Oh, okay then! Well, it sounds like you'll have a full plate finishing up some other things. But, if ds is needing some reading strengthening before beginning DITHOR 2/3, I think it would be very beneficial (and just plain fun) to do the Emerging Reader's Set over the summer. We loved those books! Since you'll have the Bigger Hearts guide already anyway, you can just follow the plan and use the comprehension questions (which are great prep for DITHOR) in the BHFHG's Appendix. If the beginning of the set is too easy, you can start him in the middle of it.

As far as R & S Grammar, have your dc had diagramming yet? R & S English 3 is an introduction to diagramming, so if not, you could begin there. If they have done some diagramming and have a fairly good grasp of the basic parts of speech, and if they are ready for more formal step-by-step writing assignments, they could begin R & S English 4 half-speed, doing it 2 days a week. But I'd probably error on the side of easier and do 3 if I wasn't sure about doing 4, just to be sure I had my bases covered.

How are they doing with writing each day? If writing small paragraphs each day is a challenge, I'd try to have them doing some copywork to work up to that. The Bible is excellent for copywork, or a good classic book of poetry would be too. HTH, and I think you are going to love Bigger Hearts! I typed about our fun week with it on the Weekly Check-In if you feel like checking that out.

In Christ,
Julie