Placement help for gifted 5yo, struggling 8yo

[Sue G in PA]

Hello again, everyone! I'm back with more questions about placement for my kiddos and this time it's not about ds9. I've decided to drop him back to Bigger, starting as soon as I get my guide. Here is my new dilemma. I have a very bright and advanced 5yo. She is reading well above her age level yet has had very little formal instruction. She's just always LOVED books, being read to, etc. Every now and again, we go through The Reading Lesson, but mostly we just read, read, read. Dd5 has a super-sharp memory and that aids in her reading ability. Read it once and she has committed it to memory. Math is much the same. She picked up a Singapore 1A workbook I was "saving" for her and did about a dozen lessons...on.her.own. Her handwriting is the only thing that is what I would consider "normal" for her age, kwim? Okay, so then I have my ds8 who is also very bright but struggles with the very things that come soooo easily for dd5. Reading is a chore. He tries so hard but he struggles. He can read a word fifty times and still have to sound it out every single time. Make sense? I don't think he has any vision tracking issues, but I'm not dismissing that. He is okay with math...it is easier for him than reading. Handwriting is getting better...much better...but is still a bit illegible and sloppy (typical boy, IMO ). I was combining them both in LHFHG this year but both complained that many of the activities were "babyish". And, ds8 hated (I mean really hated) doing schoolwork with his sister. He really resents her. My heart breaks for him b/c he tries soooo hard and really WANTS to read. I also don't want to hold dd5 back just b/c ds8 is "jealous". I was going to move them both into Beyond asap b/c skill-wise, that is where they BOTH place. However, I'm really feeling like I need to separate them. Does any of this make sense? How can I make this work? Combine yet separate? How can I boost ds8's confidence w/out holding dd5 back AND keep them in the same guide? If you have read this far, thank you. I'm really struggling with this.

[Kathleen]

Could you combine them for the "fun part"?? That's what my kids call the part where I'm reading to them and we're doing activities. So...the left page and storytime? You could talk to them both and say that you're going to start this new guide and there are lots of ideas in the boxes for fun things that go along with the history and science that would really work better if 2 children are experimenting.

I think I'd try to keep them totally seperate for the basics though. Even if they're doing some of the same things - or almost the same thing - I'd pick a totally different time to work with them. Maybe make your dd wait a month or so to even begin spelling or math (even though she's ready - she truly won't be behind, and it may be worth it to keep them seperate). She sounds like one who will love school even if it's not that difficult. That's the way my little gal is. I could have started her earllier on several things, but it really worked better for our schedule for her to do LHFHG half speed because then her little brother could join in. Anyway, she still loves school and isn't hurting a bit by not starting any of it earlier. I don't know if they're both Emerging Reader level, but I'd do the same thing and make the 5 yo wait a bit so that they're not on the same book - and listen to them read seperately (especially if the younger might memorize while listening ). Maybe it would be beneficial to do the Bible study discussions seperately, too, so that you could have some special time with them. And maturity-wise, they most likely will be thinking differently on the applicaation of the verses.

Kathleen

[Fisherman's Wife]

Oh life with a big family, Sue. Never a dull moment, huh? I have similar dynamics with a few of mine. DD4 is already reading some, writing lots, and breezing through ETC A, B, and C which I count as my are they ready for K indicator. DD 6 just started to read about 6 months ago, and it really bugs her that little sister is breathing down her back academically.

I think I would bounce your 8 yo between Beyond and Bigger, having him do what he can with big brother, and perhaps doing what he can't handle from Bigger out of Beyond separate from little sister. Does that make sense? You can keep all their core subjects separate and have him float for the extras. It sounds like he could do some Bigger and that would make him feel bigger. I am running 3 back to back guides and most think I am insane, but I can already see that it is going to really work and I am excited. I was going to let my 6 yo do Bigger with older sister, but I just decided to separate everyone. If it is too much a few weeks in, I'll drop one or combine the older two.

Hang in there. It is hard figuring this stuff out, isnt it. Marie in Oh

[Sue G in PA]

Marie and Kathleen, thanks! I thought seriously about having ds8 and ds10 share the Bigger Guide. Ds10 won't be happy b/c he also is very competitive but oh well! It might kick his tail a bit and motivate him to "grow up" a bit and stop being "the little brother" to ds13 and ds11 and be the "big brother" to ds8!. Ds8 could do the spelling from Beyond (and continue with PR if i can figure out how to make that work!) and I think the math in Bigger is more his speed anyway. Hmmm...this might just work! I can see him listening in on some Beyond reading b/c he loves being read to. I think the activities in Bigger are probably more his level as well. Best of both worlds? The only thing that worries me is Preparing the next year. I don't know if he will be ready for that. In fact, I DOUBT that he will. Ugh...I wish I could figure out a plan!