this placement stuff has me all perplexed

[melissamomof3girls]

I know that I know dd3 will start in LHFHG next fall.

However, I'm still struggling with the older two. I do not think I want to combine them at this time...they are just too different. I have looked and looked at the placement chart, but I'm just not sure...

They both will be coming from MFW ECC.

Older will be 9 next fall. Will have done one cursive book. Should complete Singapore 2b by then. Should complete PLL. Loves to read and is very advanced with it. Should I start with Bigger for her for the sake of getting that one in with her and do DITHOR with it or should we do Preparing? I'm afraid Preparing will be too much? She gets easily overwhelmed and shuts down when a task looks too difficult...mostly with math, but handwriting also challenges her. She is doing year 1 with Spelling Power right now.

2nd dd will be turning 8 next November. I'm struggling between BLHFHG or Bigger for her. She is finishing singapore 1b right now, but I'm not sure we'll move on to 2a just yet...or do something else the rest of this year. She doesn't mind writing and can do well with it. She is reading but not a lover of books and doesn't generally just lay in bed and read or anything. She is doing Spelling by Sound & Structure.

What do you think based on those things? I'm so torn for those two.

I'm sorry for being such a pain, just really want to have this cleared up in my mind. And thank you for all the help you offer!!!!!!!!!!

[abrightmom]

Hi Melissa,

You're not a pain . Pondering placement with HOD is important and you're working through all of the right questions and concerns. Believe me when I tell you that I understand .

Are you pondering placement for the Fall of 2013? If you intend to finish ECC and start HOD in the fall I'd wait a few months, possibly even until summer, and then evaluate. Your children will be growing in their skills and maturing in ways you can't predict. My 7 year old son has shocked me this school year with the push forward he has made. My head is still spinning. A few short months ago I could not have foreseen where he'd be skill wise today. I recommend you give yourself some time to make the decision if you aren't starting HOD until Fall 2013. Your kids will make strides forward over the next several months that may change their placement. I think your worries over placement today will be in vain if you don't intend to begin HOD now. Half a year yields a lot of change in a young child's life. Just some food for thought as you consider these things....

With love,
Katrina

[Tabitha]

We've been HODers for several years, but we once used MFW.

My oldest went through MFW Adventures and MFW ECC, before moving over to HOD. At the time she was in 4th grade, and we started Bigger. I am very glad I did that with her. At that time I was worried about repeating what Adventures studied, but it was so different that it didn't matter doing American History again.

From what you have said with both of your children, I would be inclined to use Bigger for both. Add on DITHOR for the oldest, or even both if the younger (and yourself) have the desire for it. You can always get the extension pack for more readers for your older child, too, if more seems to be needed for her.

There is a nice jump between Bigger and Preparing for the amount of writing they will do. I took the last half of Bigger and slowed it down to half speed for my current 9 yo/4th grader. I knew Preparing would be too much for her. She will be more ready for it in March. It's pretty much the exact same thing as what you are expressing now.

For math, you could take it slow getting into the 2A/B, or just work on drills and practice inbetween curriculums if you wanted to wait on 2A/B.

Anyway, that's my insight just from moving over to HOD from the exact same things that you are doing now.

[my3sons]

Good thoughts here by the ladies already! I am thinking this post that compares the writing in PHFHG and BHFHG will help you see which guide fits each of your dc best. Could you share your thoughts after reading through this post on the writing in regard to each of your dc? That would help me feel better about which direction to steer you.
Amount of writing in Bigger vs. PHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

I also wondered if you could share a few titles of books each of your dc have read well independently lately? Also, has your oldest child done some oral narrating? abrightmom made a good point about time making a difference as well. If much time is going to pass before you start, you may want to reevaluate then. I'll check back here to see your thoughts!

In Christ,
Julie

[melissamomof3girls]

Thank you ladies for you replies!!!

Yes, I am talking next fall, 2012. I'm planning ahead, a bad habit of mine

My oldest daughter has bread all the cul-de-sac kid books from Beverly Lewis. They are chapter books. Not sure the reading level of them? They are listed ages 7 and up. She devoured them actually.

[Carrie]

Melissa,

The ladies are so wise in their advice! From what you've shared so far, I'd likely lean toward placing your oldest daughter in Bigger Hearts with DITHR. I would lean toward placing your 2nd child in Beyond. However, as has been shared already, much will change with your kiddos' placement by next fall. Plus, we wouldn't typically advise having kiddos in LHFHG, Beyond, and Bigger. With children as close in age as your kiddos are, there are many combination scenarios that we could entertain. If you get a chance to post back in 4-5 months, we will have a much better feel for what to advise. If you decide to make a switch earlier, we can gladly help you more specifically with placement now. We look forward to getting to know you better.

Blessings,
Carrie