Placing my children in HOD

[funfinder5]

My two older children have just finished Adventures in MFW. I am strongly considering HOD for this next year. I am not sure where to place them.

My daughter is 7. How do I decide for sure if she's an emerging reader or independent reader?
My son is 9. He is an independent reader.

Has anyone gone from Adventures to Bigger? I am a little not thrilled about more American history. But I don't want to push them to the next one if they are not ready. My daughter will be 8 in June.

I have more questions about language arts choices for each but will start with where to put them first.

[Jennifer-Anne]

Hi, I am just switching over to HOD from MFW this summer and will tell you what others have advised me to do from this forum. My children are just turned 9 and soon to be 7. We did MFW Adv. last year and this year Exploring Cuntries and cultures from MFW. We plan on doing HOD Bigger next year. I have been advised that Preparing would not be a good jump for us for many reasons because of the writing etc. for my 7 year old. I want it to be enjoyable so I am going to go with the suggestion of Bigger with the extensions package for my 9 year old. Just wanted to pass on what others have told me

[funfinder5]

That helps! Thanks. We would be starting ECC but I am thinking Bigger instead. What helped confirm your decision to change after ECC?

[funfinder5]

More questions...

Lets assume I select Bigger Hearts for my 7 and 9 year old.

I order the Economy Package, Economy Package-Science Add on.

I think my daughter would need the Emerging Reader's Set. A schedule and instructions will be included in the Bigger Hearts, correct?

I would love for my son to begin Drawn Into the Heart of Reading.
I would order the package for his reading level and then if desired I could order the book packs. Is that right?

Next would be Preparing to Build: English. From what I am reading, this includes writing and grammar? How is spelling incorporated? My 9 year old is doing Spelling Power and I haven't started a formal spelling program with my 7 year old yet.

We are already doing and have books for Singapore Math and handwriting.

Then if desired, I could order one of the sets of read-alouds.

[glperky]

I can't answer your placement question because I am new here, sorry. But I did PM you.