New to HOD

[Christianna]

I'm very interested in this curriculum. I want something that is planned out for me and I love everything that HOD includes in the daily lessons.
I have a 9 year old and a 7 year old (both boys) and I haven't decided quite yet which level to start with them.
I also have an almost 3 year old son and I hope to order the 1st book for him. We'll be starting HOD in the fall.

That being said, I have a few questions.

We currently use Horizons Math and I don't think I would like to switch the kids at this time.
Is it fairly easy to just use your own Math rather than Singapore?
How much time (approx) per day would I be looking at for all 3 kids assuming they will all be in separate books?
I'm an American living in Canada, so I have no problem teaching my kids American history. I also want them to have Canadian history instruction though.
Any recommendations for supplemental books on Canadian history?

How thorough do you find the Science?
I've been looking into another Science curric but not sure if it would be necessary.

thanks in advance!

[sharonb]

I'm new here too, so I'm not too much help. But from everything I've read, it's easy to use your own math.

I can't help you with the Canadian history.

As for science, even if we go with HOD, we are planning on using Apologia elementary science (starting with Zoology I) because I love science. I did notice that Zoology III is scheduled into one of the later guides (Ancients maybe?) so if I do go with HOD I'm going to find out which Apologia books are used later on so I don't end up repeating anything.

[pollo_la]

Welcome!! It is very easy to use your own math. Carrie does have fabulous hand on activities written in the guides if you choose to go with Singapore. However, it you want to continue with Horizons, it will not affect the rest of the guide in anyway.

I am also no help with the Canadian History, but I know someone will be able to help you!

As for science... I LOVE LOVE LOVE HOD's science!!! I have researched to death just about every science curriculum out there and honestly, I feel like HOD is just what I have always wanted in this area. I feel that it does not need supplementation at all. That being said, if you absolutely love science and want to add more, you certainly could. Carrie does such a great job of planning "a full amount of learning" into a "small amount of time" that there will be time left over in your day to persue whatever passions you have.

[funkmomma71]

HI and welcome!! Depending on the program you use the time involved can be from 30 min.(LHTH) to 4-41/2 hours for the upper guides. Though the time involved with the upper guides has more independent work, so they are not as teacher intensive. The math is totally separate, so you can use any math you want, though Carrie does a wonderful job of providing plenty of help in teachin gSingapore, which is blessing to someone like me who needs to know what and how to expect from my child. In regards to the Canadian history, if enter "Canadian history" in the search feature you will find previous posts with an answer to your question. Though science is deceptively simple! I wasn't sure about whether it would be adquately covered and had plans to add in lots of additional resources but most of them are gathering dust. Forunately, if you feel as if you need more coverage there should be plenty of time in your day or week to add in more science, lots of moms add in extra stuff, I'm one of them, just not a lot of science!!

Best wishes and God speed!!

[Christianna]

Thanks for the replies, gals! Still in the process of trying to place the kids in the right level. I'm 90% sure that we'll go with HOD at this point. I'm excited!

[wertzeemom]

Welcome! Our kids are the same ages exactly, but my older are girls and my son is 2. My current plan is to use BHFHG with extensions for my 2 girls. I think my son will be doing LHFHG as well. I haven't decided on what we will do for math - especially for my older DD. As for science, I plan on seeing how we do with the HOD program and go from there. If we need more later, we can always add. Blessings to you as you decide!
Stephanie

[Carrie]

Christianna,

I just wanted to welcome you to the boards! We're glad to have you here! The ladies have already done a wonderful job of answering your questions.

So I'll just mentiont that you'll want to check out the placement charts when weighing where to place your kiddos. Here's a link to the chart: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

We look forward to getting to know you better!

Blessings,
Carrie

[spidermansmum]

Hi
I have only used LHFHG -so far.I am planning on using LHTH and BLHFHG next .
I can say as an English family we have no problems teaching american history but we are adding our English History too.WithLHFHG the history was not solely American-.We are also teaching History by observing our special days like Guy Fawkes night,St George's day etc and by the resources we have locally-pointing out landmarks and telling their story.As DS gets older we will add Our Island History.I am not sure what to suggest for canadian history[as you will see from my other post my canadian history is not good ]

[happy@home]

Welcome to the boards! I still consider myself "new" as well. We have been using LHFHG for almost a year now. The only question I can answer is about the math. We have been using BJU Math K5 this year (simply because I had purchased it before I found HOD) and it doesn't change anything in LHFHG. I will add though that we are changing to Singapore in the fall. But like I said, using a different math is fine!!