heartofdakota.com

Julie,

Thanks for getting back to me. I understand busy! Thank you for all you do for those of us around here.
The Lord uses you in a mighty way. Thanks for letting Him.

As far as the writing goes, I *think* he could grow into it pretty quickly. But it would take effort and he much rather be playing then putting in effort. He's 110% boy.

I have a high schooler who is very independent with school and a 5 yr who we will just be focusing on the 3Rs. We have no health issues, life concerns, or anything else that might get in the way. As of now, at least. We do try to just do school 4 days a week, except for reading, which we do 5 days.

Hope that helps. Thank you again for your help.

Hmmmmmm. Well, here's the deal - RIGHT NOW for placement, you could really do either. I know, not what you wanted to hear - but wait, there's more! I am thinking a few things here in overall dynamics. You have a high school aged student, as well as a 5 yo. Soon, the 5 yo will take more time, probably next year actually, as that child should then start LHFHG. That means that this year may be an easier year to do Bigger Hearts, whether that is half-speed or full-speed. Another family dynamic to take into consideration is the fact that you like to do school 4 days a week. Starting Bigger Hearts, half-speed or full-speed, fits better with that scenario because you will naturally be taking a little longer to move through a guide then - which is just fine! Being placed in a slightly harder placement (like half-speed or 4 days a week full-speed Bigger Hearts would be) as opposed to being placed in an easier placement (like Beyond would be) seems to fit the overall time ds will be in the guide better. For these reasons, I think I'd start Bigger Hearts half-speed. You will have more time to go through it, ds can grow into the writing, you'll be adding another guide for your younger child at some point and your older ds will then be further along in the 'able to be independent' category, and you've got a prime teaching year available to you right now as 5 yo is doing less. If ds is needing more than half-speed Bigger Hearts 4 days a week at any point, you can switch to full-speed. What do you think about this?

In Christ,
Julie

Julie~

Thank you. I am not sure what I wanted to hear, either. You have given me a lot to think about.

Now, can you give me some links that will show me what Bigger looks like at half speed?

And what about going through Beyond at a faster pace, like maybe doing 5 days in 4 and then moving on to Bigger? Has anyone done that?

Here is a link that may help with half-speed ideas...

How does half-speed look in your home?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5600&p=41232#p41232


As far as doing 5 days of Beyond in 4 days, normally we wouldn't recommend that, but in this case, I think you could and be fine.

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks for your help Julie!