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I very much want HOD and homeschooling to work for my family, but I am struggling with managing everything that life has thrown at me lately. Last year alone, I drove and attended 70+ doctor’s and therapy appointments for my parents. My Dad was diagnosed with cancer in April, and for the past five w...

My 12 yo daughter is in Preparing. And though she is in the extension range, I do believe she is placed correctly. So my question is in regards to her reading skills. I believe she may be dyslexic, though I’ve never had her tested. She was reading from the One Small Square Cactus book the other day....

My 12 yo daughter is currently in Preparing. I need to have that dreaded birds and bees talk with her as I think I have sheltered her long enough. :oops: She is already aware of many of the changes she will experience as I have always tried to be forthcoming with those things, but not the why behind...

I just wanted to share this story as it shows how well Carrie incorporates the activities to help kids make those everlasting connections. My daughter attended Sunday School this morning with the youth group which included 6th-12th graders. She is in 6th grade. They had a special trivia day. Her you...

Thank you both very much for your responses! After reading your suggestions and also reviewing the first week of both Preparing and CTC, I am leaning towards Preparing. But I would still love your thoughts if you get a chance. I think she could actually do CTC, but I think the workload would be a st...

We have had a very difficult time this past year with school. My middle child seems to be placed appropriately in Beyond for second grade, but I have struggled with my oldest and placement for her from the beginning. I am almost to the point that I think she'd be better off in public school. I have ...

If I were coming into Heart of Dakota new, I would probably place my oldest in Preparing after she completes Cheerful Cursive since the first week of Preparing has the child copying lessons in cursive. I could probably have her complete Cheerful Cursive by the end of July. I would place my middle ch...

We LOVE HOD, but I have been struggling with homeschooling since we started our oldest in Kindergarten. We have had some major life circumstances alter the course as well including moving three times in the last 3.5 years as well as dealing with the hospitalization of an elderly parent and numerous ...

My daughter is behind in math. We are currently working our way through Singapore 2A. She turned 9 yo in October (so she is technically 3rd grade). We just started, and she does claim it is easy, but I think that is because we are more in the review stage in these first few lessons. It looks like th...

Thank you all! This is very helpful. She will be thrilled to not have to memorize the order of the words.

I just started dictation level 1 in Bigger with my 9 yo daughter. I understand that the child should study the passage before you take it away and then read it to them for them to write. My question has to do with the last 2 lines in level 1 (the word lists). Do I read each word individually for her...

Ladies, Thank you so much for your insight! I came here feeling discouraged with our homeschooling progress, but I knew that I would only find encouragement on this board! I am so blessed and thankful for HOD! Carrie - Here are the answers to your questions. Her attention span and understanding to t...

Hi everyone, I need some placement advice for my 9 yo daughter. She just turned 9 yo in October. She is currently placed in Beyond, and we are completing Unit 20 this week. I honestly feel like I have completely failed her over her younger elementary school years, so I am seeking advice to place her...

Thank you both! I knew Pedro's Journal was included in Preparing, but I didn't realize Planet Earth was used later. That is very helpful! So is the schedule a typical "storytime" schedule? So should I expect an additional 15-20 minutes of reading every day if we use them (and I read them to her)? Ar...

I am planning to place an order for Bigger this week, and I wanted to get some thoughts from those of you who have used the extensions for Bigger. We won't actually start Bigger until my DD is 9 yo in the Fall. I know she does not need the extensions because she still falls within the age range. And...