Another placement question........

This is where new posts begin. All questions or discussions about any of Heart of Dakota's curriculums start here. If you wish to share a one-time post about your family's experience with our curriculum, you may post under the specific curriculum title (found beneath this "Main Board" heading).
Post Reply
slavila
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:00 pm
Location: Upstate NY
Contact:

Another placement question........

Post by slavila » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:28 am

Okay, it's my turn............... :lol:

I've been trying to read as many posts on placement concerns as I can and try and see how my senarios might be similar so I can get a good idea on where to place my ds, but everyone's situations and families are so different, so I'm going go ahead and post my situation and see what you lovely ladies think!! :D

We are not starting HOD until this fall and my original plan is to use Beyond. My ds will be 6 at the beginning of September and I am planning on reporting him as first grade this fall. We are currently doing K about 3-4 days a week. We are using Little Pilgrims, A Reason for Handwriting K and Singapore Earlybird Kinder 2A & 2B (and using all these even before realizing HOD had curriculum past LHTH!!). For phonics we use Happy Phonics, ETC and early readers. He is currently reading 3-5 letter short vowel words. We will be finishing up blends soon and moving onto long vowels and digraphs. I plan on working on phonics through the summer in hopes of getting him to be an emerging reader. We are currently not doing any formal science lessons. I think he is a little behind with his handwriting and needs a little extra time on that. I think I will either buckle down and really work on it with him over the summer or continue using A Reason for Handwriting on their schedule, or maybe both!

So, I'm thinking that Beyond is the best way to go, and start the emerging readers when he is ready for them. When I checked out the placement charts on HOD website, he falls more into the Beyond curriculum. But, of course, now I'm just second guessing myself because I want to make sure we are doing the "right" program.

I hope all this makes sense and I hope I included all important info. Any suggestions, comments, advice is much appreciated. This message board is such a blessing!!!

Oh, and I will be doing Little Hands with an almost 4 year old this fall as well.

TIA
Sarah, Mom of 4.....
ds 6 -
ds 4
dd 2
dd 6 months

Melanie
Posts: 777
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:37 pm
Location: north Missouri

Post by Melanie » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:16 am

That sounds about right to me. And, you know, even if he's not ready for those emerging readers at the beginning, you could start them half-way or even do them with Bigger. We're going to do the emerging readers with Beyond, but I'm still going to work on phonics along with them.

I think using the copywork in Beyond will be good practice for his handwriting. And it sounds like he will be just right on for the math in Beyond.

You may want to hold off on ordering and do the placement chart again in July or August, but I'm guessing if he falls more in the Beyond column now, it will be even more so by August.

I can't think of anything else right now, and the dryer is dinging repeatedly....the laundry is calling....
:D Mel
Using LHFHG with
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02

netpea

Post by netpea » Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:35 am

agreeing that Beyond seems to be the way to do for your dear one.

Welcome to the boards. :D nice to meet you!

inHistiming
Posts: 1301
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:30 pm
Location: Central VA
Contact:

Post by inHistiming » Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:20 pm

slavila,

It sounds like Beyond..could be a good fit. However, Little Hearts is written for ages 5-7, so you could use LHFHG for first grade, then use Beyond for second grade. I did that with my daughter,;we are finishing it this year and will move into Bigger..this summer, for 3rd grade. My older son, who will be in 5th grade, will be doing Bigger..with us, utilizing the extension pack. I only bring this up because I think you need to consider what your dc abilities will be the next year for Bigger...if you do Beyond in the fall. I know my daughter would not have been ready, nor do I think my younger ds will be ready when he is going into 2nd grade. However, the guides do build upon one another, so dc are supposed to be able to move on to the next level. I just thought you might need yet something else to consider! :roll: :oops: :D

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8126
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Post by Carrie » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:46 pm

slavila,

From what you've shared, I would recommend going with "Beyond..." as well. It sounds like you have already covered much of what was in "Little Hearts..", and so "Beyond..." would be a good fit. :D

You may be surprised how a year of copywork in "Beyond..." will really help your little guy's handwriting too. Often boys just come along a little more slowly in the writing area and need a little more time to grow it! :wink:

Also, we've found the placement chart to be really accurate, so that helps confirm your decision! It sounds like you are right on track! :D

Blessings,
Carrie

Post Reply