Could Beyond work for this child?

[RecumbentHeart]

I'm looking at the placement guide. He is within the age range (will be 6.5 at the beginning of the coming school year). Besides that, I would only need to purchase the guide and one of the books; the rest I have (although I realize that consideration is not on the placement guide). As I'm looking at the placement guide though I note that apart from age, he places solidly into Bigger - he is done with phonics, has read most of the emerging readers and is reading independently (he reads the NKJV with ease) and enjoys doing so; he has mastered manuscript, writes quite neatly and can also write in cursive (almost) neatly; he does his own writing now and then and is already familiar with some very basic grammar and mechanics (we recently added a little R&S 2 to his day - I notice that is scheduled in Bigger); he is doing 2nd grade math; he would definitely be more interested in Bigger's science ... BUT ...

It is relevant though that he is use to very short school days and mostly just educating himself with books so that swings my eyes back toward Beyond because I just don't see him being ready for a plurality of school hours or for a big leap in directed learning. So, please help me settle on a plan. I was really thinking Beyond until I looked at the placement guide and now I'm uncertain.

[frankesense]

You could do Beyond with him, but just keep him going in the math and LA areas from where he is already at. If you wanted to add in extra science, then you could always get books from the library in areas that are of interest to him. This would keep your days shorter and it is where he falls age wise in the guides. Or there is always the possibility of doing Bigger, but at 1/2 speed and spread it out over two years. He's not quite within the recommended age range for that guide but if he's ready, just take it slowly and give him time to grow and mature to be ready for future guides.

Stephanie

[mom23]

With him at these points that you're describing already I'd really look at Bigger, if it were me. I think it would be a great idea to atleast start half speed, and possibly keep him at half speed through most, if not all of the guide. This will allow his endurance to not get a big shock to sudden long school days, and it will also be a good idea to let his age catch up with being ready for the Preparing guide next (there is a pretty big jump between those, and I'd really not recommend placing a 7.5 year old in Preparing.)

[my3sons]

The length of the school day, the balance of doing something in each subject area daily, and the amount of writing involved are important considerations. For these reasons, it sounds like Beyond Little Hearts with some of Bigger Heart's LA/math may be a good fit. Ds could do the last half of the Emerging Readers - the comprehension questions and beginning narration instruction would be excellent. He could then finish out the year starting DITHOR, which will definitely be a challenge. He can do the hands-on math lessons from Bigger Hearts for 2A/2B - they are excellent! He can also finish out R & S English 2 - you could probably just do it 4 days a week to finish it out since he already began it. Looking down the road, I'd not want an 8.5 yo doing CTC. I think Beyond is as high as I'd go with a 6.5 yo, but you will know best here!

You may want to check out these links...
Amount of writing in BHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3005
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1516&p=11829

HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[RecumbentHeart]

All these things considered, I'm thinking Beyond with some elements of Bigger is the way I'm going to go. I only remembered DITHOR last night - I wasn't thinking about that being scheduled in Beyond but that's a great idea for adding in down the road. I appreciate the help, ladies. Thanks.