Going BACK a guide?

[Sue G in PA]

Most of you know the struggles I have had this year with my ds9 (almost 10 now). Behavior issues, mood issues, etc. led us to hospitalize him in January and he is now on medication and we are making progress with him. School is still difficult, but getting better. We started him this year in Preparing along with his 2 older brothers (ds12 and ds11) even though I *knew* it would be a stretch for him. Well, it turned out to be a bigger stretch than we anticipated. He would have done better in Bigger but I knew my limitations and knew I could not run 3 guides my first year in HOD (I have a 5yo and 8yo in LHFHG). Fast forward to today and planning for next year. Dd5 and ds8 will move into Beyond (perfect fit). Ds12 and ds11 will skip CtC and move to RtR (it is a better placement for them and b/c we have already done a TON of Ancient History, RtR just makes better sense ). This leaves ds9 (10 in May, 5th grade next year although we might hold him back). Honestly, he places WELL in Bigger using the Extensions!. Has anyone ever gone BACK a guide b/c of placement issues? I LOVE HOD and it is a PERFECT fit for my boys and my dd5. PERFECT in all areas. I don't want to switch to a different program, but I have considered it so I can combine dd5, ds8 and ds9 next year. Could I run 3 guides w/out going crazy? I will also have a 3yo running around and making life entertaining; a 3yo who could easily do LHTH. Any thoughts?

[pjdobro]

I can't really comment on running the 3 guides at once except to say that I know there are many ladies here who do it successfully. I'm thinking your older 2 are going to be pretty independent in RTR so I think it is doable to do Bigger and Beyond with that. Knowing the struggles that you have gone through this year, I think stepping back to Bigger might be a good idea for your ds9. It is a wonderful program and hopefully would help him to solidify his skills and give him confidence in school. Normally someone wouldn't want to step back that way, but in this case, it sounds like it would be a good idea.

[tbarr12]

I cannot comment on the "going back a guide" issue, but I do 3 guides at once - Preparing, Bigger, and LHFHG. it's doable, but definitely makes for a very full day. My oldest dd (11) does Preparing almost entirely by herself - i.e., I don't read aloud to her - she does the read-alouds on her own. I work a lot with ds (9), who has processing speed issues - I do the program pretty much as written for him, with a few modifications to help him not feel so overwhelmed. I do LHFHG with dd (6). the kids start their independent work at 8am, I join them at 8:30am, we take a lunch break from about 11:30-12:30, and usually finish between 1:30 and 2:00. there are possibly even some moms on here who finish with 3 guides before lunch, but I just can't make that happen! As I said, it makes for a very full day for me - they get frequent breaks (when I'm meeting with another child), but I"m pretty much "on" the whole time! One tool that has been very helpful to me for scheduling is the book "Managers of Their Homes" by Steven and Teri Maxwell. Without it, we probably wouldn't be able to accomplish as much as we do in a school day. I would say it's the only way I've been able to do 3 guides at once. I'd encourage you to check it out.

[deltagal]

Sue,

How much of the Preparing guide did you actually do with your 9 yo? I have 2 thoughts. One is just pick up where you left off, but take your time. You could do preparing 1/2 pace until you hit your stride with him. And no extensions. You've got time. The other thought is, if you didn't really acomplish much in Preparing which would be understandable then you could go back a guide. But I would really like to hear more about his placement particulars before recommending this.

Take care and I pray that healing continues for your family.

[Sue G in PA]

Florence, here are some of the particulars on his placement issues: 1. Writing is a BIG issue. He still has great difficulty writing out his narrations, copying passages, etc. He can dictate his narrations to me and often I will copy them out and have him copy that. Make sense? Just recently I have started to copy out his narrations and then dictate them back for him to copy (like a dictation passage, kwim?). Still, 3 sentences tops and he is *done*. His challenge is NOT comprehension (his memory is sharp) but rather in the physical act of writing 2. His reading is on level but he HATES to read. I often pick and choose what part of the program HE reads and which parts I read. Typically he reads the science, Ind. History study(if there is reading) and Bible but I read the poetry, Hist. reading and Storytime. 3. Cursive. He cannot copy sentences in cursive yet. He is still struggling through HWOT Cursive Success

He started out fairly well back in Aug. '10 when we started Preparing. Still, I wasn't making him copy the entire Bible verse in cursive OR print. His narrations were dictated to me and then some he copied. Reading was all done by me (except Science perhaps). I spent a substantial amount of time with him. By late Dec., he really just "fizzled out" as far as school was concerned (as he has done in the past) and then we had the major behavioral issues/mood issues come to a climax, etc. So, I would say that he got through Week 12 maybe and from that point forward has only been doing his core subjects including Bible and *some* of the science, history, etc. He has not completed his timeline, done any vocabulary or research. This is why I am thinking that backing up would be a good idea for him. What do you think?

[8arrows]

Yes, it sounds like I would back up. I would probably do Preparing again after Bigger unless he has a huge burst! Life happens and we need to meet our children where they are and where they will be successful. If you are doing too hard of a guide you won't be able to solidify the writing and cursive skills that may need some work. If the extensions prove too hard, I would drop those too. If he can read them, but the additional activities with them are a stretch, I would do that. He needs to have a successful year--and of course Mom does too. Enjoy!

[water2wine]

Sue I am editing my post because I think I did not get what you were asking the first time around. I think I answered to a little different situation than you presented and confused things. It looks like you have gotten great advice. It sounds like you have not done that much with Preparing and that your son would be best served in Bigger. Bigger is a really full program and I myself did it with a little older children and found it worked well.

Praying for the best decision for you.

[deltagal]

Sue, If you feel good about the decision to go to Bigger then I would do it. It really sounds as if he's only dabbled with Preparing. Bigger does sound like where he is, but will you begin it now or in the fall? Your son sounds like a "typical" 9 yo boy regarding his skills. My soon to be 10 yo began the year in Bigger with similar placement issues and he is doing so well, now. He will not complete Bigger until November/December when he is 10 1/2 - it will have taken a year and a half, but he will be ready for Preparing - the handwriting and cursive skills are slowly developing. You may need to simply take your time with Bigger, as well. I would focus on skill development and developing independence. You don't want him to be so dependant on you to get through Preparing. When you get back to Preparing start fresh and you may even be able to use the extensions then, so it will have a different feel.

Oh, and one more thought... I think you will find the Bible time in Bigger to be very special with your son. Out of all the guides I LOVE the Bible time in Bigger. It has a special poignancy to it...you'll see

[Sue G in PA]

I do feel good about backing up to Bigger and starting ASAP. He is only doing core subjects now and alternating days with science and history in Preparing. He is on Level 2 in dictation. In the past week, I have noticed some positive changes in ds9 (10 in beg. May). He is excited about turning 10 and is talking about it like it is a HUGE jump from 9. And, it is. He has shown more responsibility with chores, doesn't throw such a fit with schoolwork, acts more "mature", etc. It's quite astonishing. I am hoping that the move to Bigger (poss. w/ extentions) will give him some much needed confidence and put him in a better place for succeeding w/ Preparing in another year. FWIW, he will then be the same age as my ds12 was when he started Preparing and while ds12 would NEVER admit it...he and ds9 are very similar when it comes to schoolwork and independence. Phew, I feel like a weight has been lifted! I can do this, right? 3 guides...it's gonna be a long day, huh?

[deltagal]

Phew, I feel like a weight has been lifted! I can do this, right? 3 guides...it's gonna be a long day, huh?

YES - to all of the above, but it will get better. My 9 yo initially could only do 1/2 pace, but now he does both pages and is done easily in the morning. Just keep moving forward even if your creeping along.

[Tree House Academy]

I did go back a guide with my youngest the first year we started HOD. It was a great decision and it has helped him to succeed in HOD, IMO.

I want to say this, gently, because I know you have been through so much with your 9y/o. I would NOT switch curriculum so you can combine the younger children with him. I would get him his own guide if that is what it takes. It sounds like he is the only one in your crew that is struggling academically and it is likely due to his behavior issues as well as the stretch to try and do a guide he was not ready for last year. I would get out the placement chart and place him absolutely where he fits. If Bigger with Extensions is it, then I would do that. Just be careful with the extensions because they can be tough at times and I would hate to see him get upset over such a small detail. You know your son's abiltiies better than I do and I know you can make the right choice there..just a head's up from when I tried them with my ds who was 10 and in 5th grade at the time.

I guess, the biggest point I am trying to make, is that I would cater to your 9 y/o this year before I cater to the other kids who are not struggling. Does that make sense? If a compromise has to be made, I would make it with them and not with him right now.

Hugs and prayers as you make the final decisions. Ultimately, only you know what is right for your kids.

[Sue G in PA]

Thanks Rebecca! I appreciate your honest advice. I will not be combining ds9 with my youngers. My dd5 (soon 6) and ds8 will be doing Beyond and my older 2 boys will be doing RtR. All fit perfectly into those guides. Dd14 has her own high school program and ds3 isn't doing anything formal for school, yet. So, ds9 will be in Bigger all by himself. THAT will work on so many levels, I hope! Ds8 is also right on the "cusp" of having reading and writing "click" for him and it will also be helpful having the Bigger guide to use just in case his skills take a huge leap mid-year, kwim? His math is already on target if not advanced. Anyway, I am now toying with the idea of just purchasing Bigger and getting started ASAP.

[my3sons]

Sue, I think you are wise to ponder what is best for your ds. You really received some excellent advice from Rebecca! I do think that going back a guide is what should be done if it becomes obvious a child is not ready for the guide he is doing. Going back will help so much for not only the current year, but for every year to come! I would start without the extensions and see if you think they are necessary after you are a month or so into it. Doing the daily plans of the guide well is much more important than adding the extensions. If you start now, maybe starting early would give you time to begin half-speed and ease into it. I am praying for you, Sue, as I know the difficult year your ds has had due to hospitalization. May the Lord come alongside him and help him through this changing time, and may He be your strong tower as well.

Love in Christ,
Julie

[Sue G in PA]

Julie, thank you so much. I covet your prayers as always

[Fisherman's Wife]

Sue, it is funny meeting you over here on this board now. Anyway, just some encouragement. We have always been in a similar place children wise, and now I am doing three guides because it is the only thing that really works. My older 3 are doing their own thing, but my 5, 7 and 8 years olds are all just miles apart academically, so I am putting them all in separate guides: LHFHG, Beyond, and Bigger. I sounds crazy, but this is why I am doing it: I am tired of dragging them along, trying to make them keep up with their older siblings, and then losing them completely along the way. I am determined to meet them exactly where they are at. I know it will take discipline, but we have always been faily structured, so I think we can do it. So, I say, do whatever it takes to give the kids what they need. I know you've had a rough go aver the last couple of years, so I think you should try this and see where it goes. i think you may be surprised that your day will go much better when everyone is adequately challenged. I will purpose to pray for your endeavor.