First post here - question on "which curriculum"

[Joselle173]

We're currently using Weaver, but it's just too much work! I also think so much of it is above my DD's level, and seriously this just isn't what I envisioned when I saw myself homeschooling! After a lot of research, HOD has made the "short list" (it's very short, actually. It's the only one on there, lol!) I'm currently making plans for next year (I'm a planner. I just know we won't be using Weaver again. If we had the $$$ I'd be buying something new right now.)

I just pulled DS out of public school - he finished 2nd grade there and is a "3rd grader" at home. He's 8.5 years old, so next year he'll be 4th grade and 9 years old. DD is almost 6 and a K'r. I am liking Beyond more than Bigger, and am wondering if there's a way to use Beyond for a 4th grader? My DS hates writing and gets easily frustrated. He loves hands on activities (those are his favorite times in HS now). I've tested his learning style and he's very kinestetic with some visual learning traits. Additionally, DS is so easily distracted. I can't count how many times in a day I have to tell him to focus on his work! If it's not a hands-on experiment, it's like he's uninterested. (I don't think he has ADD or other medical problem. He's just easily bored, and if I'm honest, a bit lazy. Always looking for a way to write an answer with the least pencil strokes as possible.) He's a fairly decent reader, but could use some work on pronunciation and vocabulary building.

What I'm looking for in a curriculum is the following:

1. Easy for the teacher. I just can't take another year of 8 hours to plan for a couple weeks of school. It's nuts.
2. I want hands on activities for science and any where else they will fit in in a relevant way. I'm not about busy work.
3. A bit of flexibility. If a book just doesn't sound interesting, we need to be able to substitute or wing it when appropriate.
4. Strong science program
5. Preferably American history, as I'm not sure we'll be covering it this year with Weaver (it's not actually in the volume, but is sort of an "add on" if the parent wants to do it, which means I need to FIND a history unit to do....which I haven't as of yet.)
6. Would be great if I could teach both kids the same thing, but I'm open to two separate curriculums. I'm really not liking how our current curriculum seems to be above my DD, and the Bible is really geared for Middle School and Up. I want Bible integrated into what we're studying, but I want it age appropriate!

[ncmomof5]

Sounds like HOD it maby be a perfect fit for you. It's

Very easy for the teacher.

Has hands on activities in science, history, Bible, Poetry, Math, Storytime, and anywhere you can imagine -- not all at once, and not all on the same day, but it keeps things interesting without being overwhelming

I'm not sure about the flexibility part - the books Carrie chooses are hand selected for their quality and content. Someone else may be able to answer that one better, though.

The science may look too fun to be strong, but I'm telling you, I am learning something new all the time.

Beyond and Bigger have great studies on American History - we are doing Bigger this year.

Combining can be a good thing, but then again it has its downfalls. I am combining my 11, 10, and 8 year olds in Bigger for the Bible, HIstory, Science, Poetry, and Storytime boxes. It's working fine, and I have reasons why I needed (and they needed) to do this guide together this year. Next year I will have, Lord willing, 3 different programs going (maybe 4 with LHTH), and I am looking forward to it.

You have to pray and seek the Lord about what is best for your family, but with a first grader and a fourth grader I would think it would be better to have them do their own programs. The important thing is finding what works for you and your children without it being a burden. HTH

Keep on keepin' on,
RuthAnn

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board! Well, it looks like you've done your research well. HOD is easy on the teacher, full of awesome hands-on activities/experiments, twaddle free, totally flexible (just look at the choices you have when ordering), has excellent science tied to the history whenever possible and God honoring, and Bible that is naturally part of each and every day in a meaningful way. So, I know HOD will work for your goals, but I am wondering if you could please check out the placement chart (trying to put all history preferences aside for a moment) and tell us where each of your dc place individually, and a little about each of their 3 R's, if you could? That would really help us give you good advice and help you get a great placement for your dc, which let's face it, is pretty important since it effects a whole year of their schooling. Here's a link to the chart, and we'll all chime in more then for sure:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

In Christ,
Julie