another placement question...

[leimarie]

I've looked at HOD a number of times this year and have been unable to make the decision because I was really afraid of not being able to combine my children. I think I'm past that now, but I'm still a little unsure of where to place my oldest son (9yo), I can see him fitting in to Preparing but my biggest push back is that he has not had dictation or narration. He is very much a reluctant writer and reader (although he is a very good reader, he just doesn't *like* to read unless it is an encyclopedia or how-to book). Is that reason enough to place him in Bigger instead?

Your insight is much appreciated since HOD will not be represented at my local curriculum fair and none of my local hs-ing friends use it.
-Lisa

[momofjka]

Hi! I am going through this exact same thing..and just posted a similar question. I have decided to use Bigger for my 9yr. old son (also going into 4th grade) for the same reason that you said: he hasn't had dictation or narration and this curriculum will be very new to my son. I decided to get just the guide for Preparing though, to use for the English 3 and for the Spelling dictation (he will be in level 3). I feel confident and at peace with this decision, finally!!! May God show you the right level for your child! Blessings!
Jennifer

[KTLM6]

We just began narration and dictation with my dd(10) a few months ago. At first, it was a struggle. I think that is mostly because it was new. They are skills that have to be developed. However, after a few months, we are getting the hang of it. My daughter still kind of groans about narrations sometimes. Other times, when she is enjoying a story, she can narrate extensively. Dictation was very frustrating at first, I think because of the writing and attention to detail. She wanted her spelling lists back. Now,though, she is getting the hang of it and is even beginning to enjoy it. Whatever guide you choose, give plenty of time for your children and you to adjust to the new methods. They work wonderfully in time.

[Carrie]

Lisa,

If you haven't already checked the placement chart, then you'll want to begin there. Pay the most attention to the first page of the chart when placing your son as that is the most helpful part of the chart. Link: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

From what you've shared so far about your son, I'd lean toward placing him in Bigger Hearts. This would give him some time to grow into the harder readings, allow you to train him in the needed skills found within Bigger Hearts that are great stepping stones to what is being asked in Preparing, be less writing than what you'll find in Preparing Hearts, and also less independence. If you're wavering at all, it is typically better to lean toward the younger guide, especially if you are new to HOD. Bigger Hearts has so many important skills within it that are good to have!

Blessings,
Carrie

[leimarie]

Thank you ladies for your input and thank you Carrie for your attention too. My biggest concern with placing him in Bigger is that he is already working through Beginning Wisely (that was our grammar curriculum this past year), he is already working in 3rd grade math (we started the year in Singapore3A and made a switch to Math Mammoth 3) and he is just pages from completing his cursive workbook and has been doing his scripture copywork in cursive this year. We have also been using DitHoR this year at the third grade level with success. Does that change your perspective of where he should be placed or do you still feel bigger would be best? He is a child that needs to be challenged or he will turn to auto-pilot lazies.

Thanks!
Lisa

p.s. I practically have the placement chart memorized because of how many times a day I've been reading it.

p.p.s. Buying two guides for one child is not within my budget.

[my3sons]

...He is very much a reluctant writer and reader (although he is a very good reader, he just doesn't *like* to read unless it is an encyclopedia or how-to book). Is that reason enough to place him in Bigger instead?

I think this is a very important consideration in which level you choose. PHFHG has more writing in it, as well as more reading. The student is responsible for reading half of the history, and all of the science in PHFHG. If a child is placed in PHFHG, and the parent is having to do all of the reading for history and science, a pattern is often set of the parent doing for the child what the child was supposed to do independently, and this pattern continues through the rest of the HOD guides as they increase in reading and writing requirements. So, when determining whether to use BHFHG or PHFHG, it is important to really ask if the child can do the reading he is supposed to, and do the writing he is supposed to, and if they answer is not a pretty resounding "yes", then Bigger Hearts is the better placement. It is not hard to schedule R & S English 4 on your own. You can just do it half-speed, 2 days a week, doing a lesson a time. DITHOR works whether you are doing PHFHG or BHFHG, and the dictation in BHFHG would be fine. It really comes down to the LA skills. Here is a thread that may help...
Amount of writing in Bigger vs. PHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

Also, if you take a minute to print the first week of plans of both BHFHG and PHFHG, then you can read through them carefully. See if your ds can do all of the "I" independent boxes of PHFHG totally independently. If not, then BHFHG is the better placement. HTH! Both are amazing guides, which takes the pressure off somewhat. Choosing the guide based on best skill placement is oh so important to do - it equals many years of happiness to follow. It's worth the careful consideration.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/BHFHG-first-week.pdf
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-sample-week.pdf

In Christ,
Julie

[leimarie]

Thank you Julie, I appreciate your input. I am still quite torn between Bigger and Preparing. I understand that Bigger will progress to meet the requirements for entering Preparing but with only a one week sample it's hard for me to tell just how quickly things will begin to progress. As it is presented I know that I will lose my son in that first week at least because it is quite a bit below his skill level and he will "check-out". From what I am reading in the first week in Preparing I am sure that he is more than capable of doing the (I) labeled boxes. My main concern was with narration and dictation and how quickly the level of difficulty will go up. It's hard to tell with a one week overview, so I really do appreciate your patience as I try to find the best placement for him, the writing comparison was helpful. I'm sure you understand that with three schooling the budget isn't exactly free-flowing. I just can't afford to purchase all the possibilities just to find what fits, that's why I continue to ask so many questions. I go from the website to the catalog many times a day while we're trying to hammer these details out (hopefully soon).

Maybe I misrepresented him by labeling him a "reluctant reader/writer", I in no way meant that to say he doesn't have ability, he is actually gifted in many areas and has no problem reading and comprehending material above his grade level, the challenge is in finding things that grab his interest and keep him engaged. That was one of our biggest reasons for bringing him home for school after three years in public school, we knew he needed challenges that a standard classroom couldn't provide. I don't question the value or strength of one guide over another, I just need to be sure I'm purchasing the right one for my child.

[my3sons]

Thanks for adding some more information here! It sounds like he is ready for PHFHG, as he is able to do the "I" boxes independently already, and he probably just needs some motivation and encouragement to utilize his reading and writing abilities to their full capacity (which we homeschool moms are very good at providing ). The narration and dictation skills increase gradually in difficulty, so he should be able to do just fine with that provided it seems like he can do the beginning lessons well. I have said a prayer for you to know best though, but from what you've shared here, I'd say PHFHG is sounding like the winner!

In Christ,
Julie

[leimarie]

Julie, thank you so much for your patience with my questions and hashing out! With baby #6 entering the picture this fall (only our second homeschooling) I know I need things to be as simplified as possible (which is where my STRONG desire to NOT tweak is coming from) I want to choose which guides I will best be able to use as written for each of my children, giving them appropriate challenges while not overwhelming any of us, this year had quite enough of that. We are currently trying to tie up loose ends before our county review in two weeks, whew. My prayer is to make our big switch soon after that so that we find a comfortable flow and rhythm before our little one arrives.

I really do appreciate the helpful suggestions and great questions that are helping me define our choices!

[Carrie]

Lisa,

The ladies have done a terrific job of talking through all possible options with you. It is so helpful to be able to converse back and forth on the board, as each time more information is shared we're able to get a fuller picture of where your child is at and what level would fit him best. From what you've shared in the later posts, I'd lean toward Preparing Hearts for him as being a good fit.

I think it sounds like you have a good plan! If you get the guide in hand, and it seems like too much, you can always return it and exchange it for BIgger Hearts. As long as your son can handle the readings and written directions though; and you're willing to work with him on oral narration, written narration, dictation, and the creative writing lessons, I think you'll find Preparing Hearts a good fit.

Blessings,
Carrie

[leimarie]

Thank you Carrie. I am trying to work it out so that I can visit the CHAP convention next month. It certainly would be beneficial to see guides before making the "final" decision but after continually studying the placement chart I'm feeling comfortable with Preparing for the oldest and shared the first week plan with him making a point to discuss the responsibilities he would have with the independent work and he was excited to read what was going to be part of his day. That was very encouraging since this year has certainly not been an enthusiastic one (though I anticipated that with it being his first year out of the public school). We're excited for the new change we'll be making with HoD!