Placement Question

[Anna]

My dd10 has tremors and PDD-NOS (high functioning on autism spectrum.) After looking at the placement chart, I feel her best fit would be Preparing Hearts. The only area that she is not up to speed in is the writing box. She hasn't learned all of her cursive letters yet, but she can read cursive writing. She also struggles with spelling, and doesn't know how to use commas correctly, so dictation will be difficult for her. She is a very intelligent girl, so I don't want to hold her back because of one academic area. What do you think? Could someone give me an example of the dictation expected in the first week?

She is ready for R&S 3, as well as 4th grade math. She is also a good reader. She really needs to learn how to write this year, and, the other thing that draws me to Preparing is her need to begin to gain independence in her school work.

I also have a dd7 and ds8 who will thrive on Bigger. My gut instinct is not to put her in Bigger with them, but to push her forward to achieving some academic independence, and to also spend some individual time with her in devotions and Bible study.

Thanks for any insight.

[netpea]

Preparing has at least two levels of dictation in it. The very first passage of the very first level looks like this:
Sue has a bird.
It can call and sing.
king ring wing

The 3 words at the bottom are optional for students ready for a bit more challenge so you wouldn't need to do them. Also this is studied dictation. The student studies the passage and looks at every word and punctuation mark until they feel ready to write it. If they make a mistake, they just repeat the passage the next time. Does that help?

[Anna]

Thank you for taking the time to copy the dictation for me, Lee Ann! That is a perfect level for her! She is capable of that level of dictation, but it will be a challenge.

[LynnH]

My ds has mild CP that causes tremors in his hands and some dysgraphia and he did Preparing as a 10 year old and it was a great fit. I did modify some of the writing requirements in that he typed his written narrations and also I wrote the cursive passages on the white board so he had a model to copy from. If she fits in Preparing for all but the writing, it is possible to make some adaptations. I actually even have my ds type the dictation (with all spell checks and grammar help turned off).

[my3sons]

I think it sounds like your dd will do well with PHFHG! The pp gave such good advice already, that I will just say I agree. I think it sounds like PHFHG will be a good placement. We loved so much about PHFHG - and the cursive is something dd really can take her sweet time to grow into. Honestly, if she has had 1 good year of formal cursive instruction from start to finish within a cursive program, I think I would let her choose between printing or cursive, as she has tremors. We only did 1 year of "Cheerful Cursive" with each of our sons, did some practicing with cursive while at the same time doing some assignments in manuscript. We have let my oldest ds choose now (he is 11 turning 12 yo), and he primarily writes in manuscript. Once and awhile he will choose cursive, but not often. He can write his name in cursive, and he can read cursive well, but it is not going to be his preference. I am fine with this. This is in keeping with HOD's philosophy of handwriting. So, if your dd has had a year of cursive in a formal program, has practiced it some, can read cursive, and can write her name in cursive, I think she could probably choose between the two. We don't want the physical act of writing to get in the way of dc being able to share their ideas in writing. However, if she has not completed a year-long cursive program in order to be able to do these things (read cursive, write her name in cursive, etc.), then she should do that this year, practice it a bit, and then see which she prefers. That's just my 2 cents though - I think you will both enjoy PHFHG so much - we sure did! I'll look forward to getting to know you here - this is such a great place to come for encouragement. I love this board!

In Christ,
Julie

[Anna]

Once again, thank you all for your insight and ideas. I am so glad I chose Preparing. We are looking forward to a good year! We receive our box today. It feels like Christmas in July!