Help with placing 7yo ds
-
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:06 pm
Help with placing 7yo ds
I was planning to use a curriculum I put together for second grade. I have everything basically scheduled out and purchased. I really wanted to start my ds7 in Beyond or Bigger but didn't want to "eat" the cost and time I already put into the other curriculum. We ended up getting an unexpected significant "windfall" of money recently and now I'm rethinking what to do about this coming year. We are finishing up Core B from Sonlight right now and were going to start our new school year in July. My son just turned 7 this month. He is an accelerated learner in language arts (reading at middle school level), already begun cursive w/New American Cursive and doing very well, doing math most school days w/CLE 100 (was planning to either stick w/CLE or use Math Mammoth next year). He has ADHD and PPD-NOS(high functioning autism) and sometimes we struggle with behavior or attitude about getting school work done- but that will be the same no matter what we use and how hard or easy it is for him. It seems like Bigger would be the best fit for him now but I'm concerned that Preparing will be too much for him for third grade. Do we start off half-speed in Bigger? Do we do Bigger full-speed and then Preparing half-speed? Or, use Beyond this year and Bigger for third grade? I don't want him to be bored on one hand but also don't want to be constantly fighting to get everything done on the other. I forgot to mention he is a geography NUT and already knows all his state capital and basically the whole rest of the globe too! He has a photographic memory. Keeps me on my toes!!
Blessings,
Emily
Mama to:
Michael 25 College Grad!
Abbey 22 College Grad!
Cole 15
Matthew 14 (Down syndrome & Autism)
Anna 11 (Autism)
Josie 9
Katie 7
Emily
Mama to:
Michael 25 College Grad!
Abbey 22 College Grad!
Cole 15
Matthew 14 (Down syndrome & Autism)
Anna 11 (Autism)
Josie 9
Katie 7
Re: Help with placing 7yo ds
I'm assuming you've looked at the placement chart? If not, ignore everything I'm writing here and start there! If you already have and that led you to these two, can you share more about his writing? I know you said he's learning cursive-I think that can be adapted to whatever guide you choose, so I wouldn't go with Bigger based on that...would he be able to handle history and science notebooking assignments? Also, how's his reading comprehension? When you read aloud to him how much is he able to sit and digest? For our family Bigger has seemed a great fit when they were about 8 and in 3rd grade, but I know that can be different for others-that's why the age ranges are written there
. I guess I"m just wondering with the ADD/autism whether Bigger might be too much? You'd know him best.
I've never done Sonlight, so I don't know for sure, but I think one thing that makes HOD different is the critical thinking required in connection with the readings. We read much less per day, but there is a lot the kiddos do to really digest each reading. It could be an adjustment to the more CM style of school for those who are used to devouring more books. With that in mind, again, I'd almost say look at Beyond.
As far as worry about next year, each guide very adaquately prepares you for the next one. So, if you successfully complete Bigger it should not be a problem to move on to Preparing after that. Although we have found there to be a definite ramping up in the skills required for each guide, they all seem to be well able to handle the next one, as long as they're staying in those ranges, and doing the previous guide as written.

I've never done Sonlight, so I don't know for sure, but I think one thing that makes HOD different is the critical thinking required in connection with the readings. We read much less per day, but there is a lot the kiddos do to really digest each reading. It could be an adjustment to the more CM style of school for those who are used to devouring more books. With that in mind, again, I'd almost say look at Beyond.
As far as worry about next year, each guide very adaquately prepares you for the next one. So, if you successfully complete Bigger it should not be a problem to move on to Preparing after that. Although we have found there to be a definite ramping up in the skills required for each guide, they all seem to be well able to handle the next one, as long as they're staying in those ranges, and doing the previous guide as written.
Becky, married to my preacher-man and raising:
DD 12-7th grade public school
DS 10-Preparing
DS 8-Beyond
DS 3-Just doin' his thing
DD 12-7th grade public school
DS 10-Preparing
DS 8-Beyond
DS 3-Just doin' his thing
-
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:06 pm
Re: Help with placing 7yo ds
Thank you, mom23. I did look at the placement chart and thought he should be in either Beyond or Bigger. His comprehension is amazing! He's been tested and is truly gifted in language arts, including writing. He spends a good part of his day making "books" by folding paper in half and writing stories on the inside (and cover illustrations on the front
). My problem, sometimes, is getting him to write about whatever he needs to write about for school. He'll write (literally) all day long in notebooks about whatever he wants to write. 


Blessings,
Emily
Mama to:
Michael 25 College Grad!
Abbey 22 College Grad!
Cole 15
Matthew 14 (Down syndrome & Autism)
Anna 11 (Autism)
Josie 9
Katie 7
Emily
Mama to:
Michael 25 College Grad!
Abbey 22 College Grad!
Cole 15
Matthew 14 (Down syndrome & Autism)
Anna 11 (Autism)
Josie 9
Katie 7
Re: Help with placing 7yo ds
Thanks for sharing about your 7 yo ds - he sounds like he is doing great!
Both Beyond and Bigger Hearts are terrific guides, and he is in the target range for both, so really either is a good placement. You can do "Drawn into the Heart of Reading" with him for his reading instruction whether you do Beyond or Bigger Hearts, and that will challenge him with advanced reading skills (along with requiring writing skills to be used as well). So, I'd base your decision on the writing. It sounds like he would be capable of doing Bigger Hearts, but it also sounds like you may be battling with him to do all of that writing - which I am not sure is worth it. Here are some posts that describe the writing differences between Beyond and Bigger...
Amount of writing in BHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3005
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1516&p=11829
Full-speed Beyond with DITHOR would result in a longer, fuller day than half-speed Bigger Hearts. So, if you are thinking PHFHG may come too soon and wanting not to get there too quickly and are therefore wanting to do half-speed Bigger Hearts, I'd go with full-speed Beyond with DITHOR and enjoy it to the hilt. Those are just a few thoughts I had - HOD is such a great way to homeschool - I think you will love it! May the Lord show clearly the direction you should take, whether that be Beyond or Bigger! HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

Amount of writing in BHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3005
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1516&p=11829
Full-speed Beyond with DITHOR would result in a longer, fuller day than half-speed Bigger Hearts. So, if you are thinking PHFHG may come too soon and wanting not to get there too quickly and are therefore wanting to do half-speed Bigger Hearts, I'd go with full-speed Beyond with DITHOR and enjoy it to the hilt. Those are just a few thoughts I had - HOD is such a great way to homeschool - I think you will love it! May the Lord show clearly the direction you should take, whether that be Beyond or Bigger! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie