Planning ahead

[Lindy S.]

My dc are: ds 8, dd 6 (turning 7 in a month), and dd 4

The kids and I were discussing how we are going to "do school" next year? So, it got me thinking.... Currently the older two are doing Bigger together. Next year, my ds will move up to Preparing but I'm not sure what to do with dd. Should I continue to combine her with ds or make the switch and combine her with second dd in Little Hearts since she's not done that guide before. She likes to read but I don't think that she'll be ready for all of the writing in Preparing next year. Could I combine her with dd and beef it up with extensions? Now, there isn't an extension package for Little Hearts right?

Okay, it's a rainy day and we're way ahead of the game here but I know most of you ladies are like that too !! I'd love to hear your ideas.

By the way, the older two did Beyond last year when dd was a kindergartener and ds was a second grader.

[countrymom]

Um, I don't think you would want to go down to Little Hearts after Bigger, as that would be a huge step backward. Perhaps you could do preparing and adjust the writing for your youngest, or it may be time to split them and go 1/2 speed with your youngest? Maybe others will have some other brainstorms.

[my3sons]

I like to plan ahead too! I am wondering how your dd is doing with Bigger Hearts? Are you tweaking it quite a bit, or is she able to do all of the writing in the plans (i.e. notebooking, vocabulary, spelling/dictation, copywork of poem, etc.)? Also, how are her oral narrations? One more question, how is her reading - Emerging Reader's Set, DITHOR 2/3?

There is quite a bit of writing in PHFHG. Here is a comparison of the amount of writing in Bigger vs. PHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

When you look at the placement chart with just your 7 yo in mind, where does she place best?
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

I think it is very beneficial to gain as much information as possible when helping with placement, as dc vary greatly. If you get a chance to share some answers to these questions here, I'd feel so much better about giving you more accurate advice.

In Christ,
Julie