New with Questions

[HollyS]

I have considered this program several times since beginning HSing, but never used it. We've been using a unit study program for the last several years, but it's gotten to be too much planning for me. I now have 4 kids (ages 7, 5, 3, and 6mo) and only had 2 when we started with unit studies. Since the birth of my 4th, I've felt very overwhelmed with school and housework and my part-time job. To be honest we aren't even using the unit studies. We complete the same subjects, but use a hodge podge of books and resources which isn't any easier...Apologia Astronomy, Artpacs, social study read-alouds and worksheets, online grammar worksheets, ETC, and Singapore math. Usually it's last minute planning (and panicking) on my part. I really dislike how disconnected everything is (and we don't cover all subjects each week). I was debating using text books with my DD next year so she could work more independently, but that doesn't feel quite right since she isn't big on text books to begin with...it's a struggle to get her to finish her 2 or 3 math pages. I've also thought about putting her in public school, but I don't really want to do that either.

A little background: DD will be 8 this summer and is just starting Singapore 2a. She really struggles with school, especially math. She does read independently (and without complaining). DS has a late B-day (he'll be 6 in November) so technically he'd be K next year in public school. However, he loves school and had no problems with a K level workload this year, so I plan on moving him up to 1st grade materials. He reading has really taken off. We just finished ETC primers and are flying through the first McGuffey reader. I'll also have my two littles, but I'm not worried about them right now since I only legally need to school the older two.

I'm hoping to keep them together except for math and reading. I was planning on starting DS with Singapore 1a next fall, and DD will still be on 2a. For reading, I'd probably add some easy readers for DS and Drawn into the Heart of Reading 2/3 for DD. I'd ideally love to combine them...Beyond seems like it would be the best fit for both. Does this seem like a good idea? Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks so much if you've read this far!

[water2wine]

First of all welcome to HOD. I think you are going to find having them in HOD is going to eliminate that frantic feeling of trying to get it all in and am I doing enough with them. It is really huge to having peace in hsing for us. I just want to make sure you have looked at the placement chart http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php I am thinking from what you are saying Beyond might be a good fit. I am doing Beyond with my two youngest and when we started they were 5 and 7. I will say that while my both do not really struggle with reading my youngest is probably the better reader. Yet the older one is capable of more so it all evens out in the end. The two year span of combining usually works really well with HOD. Hope that helps a bit. I know others will have advice as well. Wanted to say welcome and offer what I could.

[jenntracy]

i second the notion for Beyond , based on what you are saying about your children.
Welcome!

Jenn d.

[mamayi]

Welcome to HOD! After reading your post I just had to respond because our children sound so similar! They are pretty much the same ages and sound similar in skill.
We are currently doing Beyond with my 5 and 7 year olds and LOVING it! It is just the right placement for them. My dd5 will be six this month and has kept up very well. We did everything together following the guide except they each had math, reading and spelling at their own level. (We use Rod and Staff now for math although we used Singapore for K and 1st for my ds).
The way HOD is designed is a blessing when you have a lot to juggle in your life. It really is "open and go." As a matter of fact, when we finished school today I spent about 15 minutes looking over next weeks plans and making sure I had all of the supplies I needed for the activities and getting their spelling cards ready and that was it. When Monday morning rolls around we'll be all set to start another fun week of school!
We added our fourth last Sept. and it was because HOD is already organized for me that we were able to jump back into school after the baby without losing much ground at all. Not every day has been perfect of course but HOD keeps me on track and we all truly enjoy it.
You've definitely come to the right place for advice and encouragement. The ladies here are very kind and helpful.

[amysconfections]

I will be doing Beyond with my then 6 and 8yr old. I will have baby #4 and I need something simple. My oldest would do better in Bigger and it would be a perfect fit for him, but not if it doesn't get done because I'm too overwhelmed. It sounds like Beyond will be great for your children. You can always add in extra reading for your oldest if she is wanting and needing it.

[4froggies]

Just wanted to say hi and welcome! Truly, I could have written your exact post almost when my oldest was your oldest's age! It wasn't until HOD that I felt like everything "clicked" for us. All of the work in tying it all together has been done for me, and I love the "open and go" aspect that the previous poster mentioned. Also, I love how it is scheduled day by day for me (i.e. one 2 page spread in the guide is for 1 day, not a whole week)- it helps me stay focused. It is amazing as I look back on the year and see how much we have accomplished just opening the guide each day, completing each box, and checking it off! We all really enjoy it, too!

I also agree that Beyond does sound like a good fit for your kids based on what you shared!

[Mom4Him]

Hi HollyS!!
I just wanted to say welcome! I am so glad you are considering HOD once again- it truly has been such a blessing at our house! It really teaches kiddos all of the academic skills they need, yet is simple enough to do every day- & it is all centered on leading our little ones' hearts to God!
If you have any more questions- feel free to ask- everyone around here likes to help as much as they can!
Jessica

[HollyS]

My oldest would do better in Bigger and it would be a perfect fit for him, but not if it doesn't get done because I'm too overwhelmed.

Amy, those are my thoughts exactly. I did wonder if Bigger would be a better fit (looking at the chart, she's between the two), but I'd much rather place her at a lower level then get overwhelmed with 2 levels.

Thanks for all the help and the warm welcome...Now I just need to wait for our tax return!

[Kathleen]

Hi Holly!

I wanted to pop in here and welcome you, too. I just had a couple ideas I wanted to share with you. You mentioned that your oldest is really struggling with math. I know that the hands-on activities that go with Singapore in the HOD guides are wonderful! We have loved them!! I haven't had a child struggle with math yet, but I sure think if I did that the hands-on activities would help them A LOT. I was thinking that maybe it could be beneficial to your daughter to go through 1B again with the hands-on in Beyond. Then, I'd really suggest also getting the Bigger guide to use with 2A when you're ready for it so that you could have the activities. (From level 3A and up HOD lets go of the hands-on and moves to the pictorial examples in the textbooks, so that will be your last level to enjoy them!)

If your son is finished or finishing phonics, I'd suggest using the Emerging Readers that are scheduled in the appendix of the Beyond guide with him to work on reading skills. I'm planning on doing this with my little gal that is soon turning 6. Since she's young and just finishing phonics, we're going to start with the Early Reader's Bible (the easier of the 2) and go through it. Then we'll go back to the beginning of the schedule and use the Beginner's Bible before we move on to the rest. Just another idea! We've loved DITHOR, so that will be a great choice for the oldest.

And, I definitely agree with the others that practically speaking HOD makes getting school done in the day-to-day very do-able!! I love the fact that I can spend my time & energy teaching my kids and enjoying them rather than planning or feeling like I'm helplessly behind before I even start. HOD makes "flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants" seem graceful! AND, the absolute best part is that for my family I know that HOD is the absolute best curriculm that we could use because of the way it is centered on the Lord and His Word. I think it's just what you're looking for, because I know it's just what I was looking for!

Kathleen

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board, Holly! Everyone has already given such wisdom and excellent advice. I'll just chime in and agree, and also add that I think Kathleen had some wonderful ideas for fine-tuning your placement. Be sure to ask more questions until you have it figured out like you want it. You'll find this board to be full of encouragers that are not only full of wise counsel, but also have real hearts for the Lord.

In Christ,
Julie