Preparing Hearts before Bigger

BrandieinTN · Post by **BrandieinTN** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:30 pm

I am thinking of using HOD with my dd's. My dd is 8 1/2 and reads well. We are coming from trying to do MFW Adventures and not succeding with it. My dd really doesn't want to do American History again. I think MFW bored her when we were trying to use it. I was thinking of Doing Preparing first and then go back and do Bigger. Would that work? That way we could do a year of World History, then American History before we start the 4yr history cycle planned. She is not an eager student at the moment and I do not want to make it worse studing a topic she isn't interested in.

6timeboymom · Post by **6timeboymom** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:57 pm

My boys are liking the history in Bigger. Can you go to the library and see any of the books used? Taht way you could see how it's covered. What did MFW cover? Bigger is starting with Columbus, and his journeys.

Post by **Carrie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:22 pm

Brandie,

I'm going to link you to a past thread about a similar topic that may help a bit. Here's the link:

http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=690

Here's another thread that would help as well:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=365

I did also want to mention that if you are using our language arts and math, you would definitely want to go with wherever your kiddo places best on the placement chart as the best fit program wise will make a happier kiddo (more than the history rotation does). Many moms have come from MFW Adventures and gone into "Bigger..." and found it to be a good fit. "Beyond Little Hearts..." actually does early American history and would be much more of an overlap with MFW Adventures than "Bigger...".

So, let us know what you think after looking at the placement chart linked here:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Blessings,
Carrie

Tansy · Post by **Tansy** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:07 pm

With HOD you can swap out any part for another .. But that said.. so much of what I love about HOD is that the whole day is linked to the history I think you would be doing a disservice to your child not to do the history.

I have a DD from India she is always wanting to study India so we use A child first book About India. We study it once a week or so. So since HOD is so simple and not "time intensive" why not encourage your dd to choose another area of history to study alongside American. Maybe each month she could choose another country and find out what is going on at the same time period in America. Kinda like a sneak peek into world history.

Like Ben Franklin went to England.. lets find out what England was like when Ben Franklin went there.

BrandieinTN · Post by **BrandieinTN** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:32 pm

I think she falls somewhere in the middle of the two programs. She reads very well and I plan to us DITHOR with her. She has some grammar knowledge but not a whole lot. I plan to use a different math with her. I think Beyond may be the best place to start with her. But I am hesitant because we already are having trouble with my dd not wanting to do school. Not sure if I can get her excited to do it. I know that we are not able to always let our kids have a say in what they do. But since we have had so many problems with her being resistant to anything to do with school, I am not sure what to do. I will keep thinking about it and pray for some discernment.

Tansy · Post by **Tansy** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:55 am

Hod is really FUN! I understand the resitant child.. I let my dd pick what we are going to do first then I get to pick what is second. That seems to help.

Also the School day is broken up into little bite sizes bites. Except for reading DITHOR can take us 30-45 min easy. You can also do some of it informally. "I have a book let's snuggle on the couch and I'll read it to you. I'm learning this song want to sing it with me? I have an art project want to paint too?

I have found if I give her a recess half way though she really does better. I set the timer for 20 min and send her outside if weather is nice or let her play wii sports which actually gets her heart rate up. I was very reluctant to add the recess because school was like pulling teeth for a while. But at the advice of other HODies I tried it and school took and hour less even tho I had added a 20 min. recess. Go figure!

Also I was setting her a lot of copy work to try and improve her handwriting but on Carrie's advice I used the Less done well is better than More done mediocre. And so only 2-4 lines of poetry is assigned but it must be done well. Her hand writing is showing great improvements.

I still think my suggestion of letting your dd choose a topic to study on her own would help. Even if it is games or cooking or riding bikes.. all of them can be tied back into history or geography. And she is gaining some control over that which she dislikes.

Post by **Carrie** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:15 pm

Brandie,

Thanks so much for sharing about your daughter. Tansy has given you some truly excellent advice about helping a reluctant learner.

The moms on the board are so good about helping one another and lifting one another up!

I did want to pop-in and say that "Beyond..." would most likely be too easy for your daughter from what you've shared about her so far. It would also be too much of the same time period and even some of the same books that you covered in MFW Adventures (although done in a different way). It sounds like "Bigger..." would be a better fit overall, especially if your daughter reads well.

The target range for "Beyond..." is ages 6-8, so your daughter would be above the recommended age for that program. Unless she has learning delays or challenges to take into consideration, I think you'd find a better fit overall in "Bigger...", which is targeted at ages 7-9.

If you haven't had a chance to look at the plans in "Bigger...", you may want to do that at the following link:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/BHFHG-at-a-glance.pdf

http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/BHFHG-first-week.pdf

You may also want to glance over the description of how subjects are covered in the Introduction of "Bigger..." here:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/BHFHG- ... -07-11.pdf

You could always start "Bigger..."at half speed, doing the left side of the plans one day and the right the next, and then working up to adding a little more until you gradually get to doing a full day in a day. I think both you and your daughter will find HOD to have a different feel than other programs. Let us know what you're thinking, as we love to help!

Blessings,
Carrie

BrandieinTN · Post by **BrandieinTN** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:41 pm

I think I was confused on what level was what. I meant Bigger the whole time. The two I am considering is Bigger and Preparing. I think she is between the two in abilities. I know she is way above Beyond. I just had the names confused.

The only thing that has me hesitant about Bigger is doing American History. Do you think we could study say a country or two a month using GTG while doing Bigger and Little Hands. I plan to do Little Hands now with my almost 5yr old and 2 1/2 yr old dds. Then start Little Hearts with my then 5yr old as soon as we finish little hands. I do not want to take to much on, because we are pretty relaxed homeschoolers and do not do well tied down all day doing school.

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:15 pm

Hi Brandie! I'm doing Bigger now, and I know you are going to really enjoy it! I think you will find that it is very fun to do - it is very hands-on, with enjoyable projects interspersed for a balanced day. I'm also doing DITHOR - be sure to do the kickoffs and the end of the genre projects for that - your daughter can even choose those herself, and she'll certainly love that!

I think that before you worry about adding in other things, I feel in my heart that you should just start Bigger... first and see if you still want to add more things in. If you give it a month or so and you still feel like you want to add in GTG then, go for it! But, I bought some extra things to do with Bigger... this year that are gathering dust because what we're doing in Bigger was just way more exciting to my ds.

Tansy gave some great ideas here, and I was also a mom who added in a 45 minute recess and finished an hour or more earlier than when I used to go straight through with homeschooling.

I recently added in a sticker chart to motivate my ds to do more careful work (he was skipping a math problem here or there, etc.). I told him I'll give him a sticker for his chart when his work was outstanding and his attitude was good - that he could not ask for the stickers though and that stickers would never be given for less than happy attitudes and less than his best work. Each sticker he gets is worth 1 minute towards a 30 minute video or t.v. show of my choice. When he reaches 30, he gets to watch the video or the t.v. show. We don't watch t.v. very much, so this is a big reward, and I only pick a show I approve of that I also know he'll enjoy. His little brother wanted in on this too, so now they decided to pool their stickers together to work toward the goal.

You could do something like this for whatever your dd could get excited about - just be sure that it's something you don't have to prepare a lot for or that you don't want her to earn (i.e. one time I did going to DQ for an ice cream cone as a reward - then everyone was sick, DQ closed for the winter - what a mess!). I'd suggest doing a reward you can accomplish easily, impromptu, at home. Other years we've done baking cookies together, playing tag together outside, 3-wheeler ride with Dad, etc. Nothing over the top to prepare for - but all things they love! I should add that most of these rewards were for things not even related to homeschooling - potty-training, rooms being picked up, hygiene, etc. I really have never had to add in anything to make an HOD curriculum be exciting or motivating - and I've done them all - it's more just for the other "stuff" we're working on!

Just an idea we've had good luck with! I am very confident that your dd would enjoy Bigger - it really is just very fun to do and easily finished in a doable amount of time! She'll have lots of time leftover just to play and be a kid - that's a big selling point with children too, so be sure to let her know that it only takes about 3 to 3 1/2 hours a day to do if she keeps herself in "gear"! HTH, and so glad you are here!

In Christ,
Julie

Post by **Carrie** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:27 pm

Brandie,

I'm so glad that we are on the same page now! The titles can be confusing!

If your daughter is between "Bigger..." and "Preparing..." then that means she could really go either way. I was thinking, as were all the ladies on the board who have answered you so far, that you thought your daughter was between "Beyond..." and "Bigger..."! So that will change all of our "takes" on your situation!

A couple of questions will help with placement between the two programs. First, how does she feel about written work? Does she really balk at it, or is it not a problem for her? Second, how well does she spell and copy things? Third, how does she feel about reading? Is it a joy or are you dragging her to get her to do it? Last, what has she had in the way of english/grammar instruction up to now?

If you get a chance to fill us in on those questions, we can help you between "Bigger..." and "Preparing..."!

Blessings,
Carrie

BrandieinTN · Post by **BrandieinTN** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:56 pm

She is able to do a decent amount of writing, but does not like to do a lot. She likes to write stories or write in a journal, but not worksheet type things. If I ask her to write something say about what we have done in history. She will balk at it. But if I ask her to make up a story or give her something to write about she will. Her spelling is ok, but needs improvement. She is able to copy things fairly well. We have not done much dictation. She likes to read, not always what I want her to read. But she reads well and likes to do so. We have done some grammer, but not a lot.

Kathleen · Post by **Kathleen** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:57 pm

Brandie,

I'm no help in answering your questions, but I just wanted to welcome you.

Welcome! My 3 kids are the same age as yours (almost). In about 6 weeks they will be 8, 4, and 2, but only my middle one is a girl.

I'm using LHTH with my almost 4 y/o. And, I'm planning to start Bigger with my 8 y/o later this summer of fall. He thinks it sounds great, and so do I! We haven't been thrilled with what we've done this year.

I'm sure you'll get some more advice from those who can be more helpful than me.

Kathleen

BrandieinTN · Post by **BrandieinTN** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:03 pm

kathleen,
Thanks for the welcome. When will your guys turn 9,5 and 3. My middle turns 5 in May. The other two's birthday is in Oct.

Carrie,

I for got to add that Kaylyn is 8 1/2 now and will turn 9 in the fall. I plan to start soon and continue in the fall. Probably work through the summer some. Not sure if it matters or not.

Post by **Carrie** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:52 pm

Brandie,

Thanks so much for taking time to share more about your daughter. It does sound like your daughter could handle the level of work in "Preparing..". It also sounds like you are both looking for a change from American history, and the world history overview would provide that.

Also, "Preparing.." is a 4 day plan, so you and your daughter could use the 5th day for any extras that really interest your daughter. My boys love this, and know as long as they work hard for 4 days the 5th day is a change of pace.

Since you also shared that you have been a relaxed homeschooler, I think that doing "Preparing..." would allow for more leeway if you went off on a few bunny trails here and there because your daughter would be on the lower end of the age range for "Preparing...". However, if you did "Bigger.." you would want to move on through it at a fairly strong pace, as your daughter would be on the upper end of the age range for "Bigger....".

It does sound like your daughter could benefit from the shift toward independence that "Preparing.." will provide. Some strong-willed first-born kiddos do better when they are able to take over more of their school-day and are less dependent on the teacher.

You may want to read a few of the other threads on the board running now to see if the writing in "Preparing..." sounds like it would be too much. One of the threads is titled "Language Arts in Preparing". If so, you could always fall back on "Bigger...".

One other consideration is whether you wanted to start now or wait until fall. If you have your heart set on starting now, you'll need to do "Bigger.." because "Preparing..." won't be out until August 1. "Bigger..." would also fit your daughter in many ways and would give her another year to grow into "Preparing...".

You really can't go wrong as each program has its strengths that it will foster in your daughter. Let us know what you're' thinking if you get a chance!

Blessings,
Carrie

BrandieinTN · Post by **BrandieinTN** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:40 pm

OK if we wait and do Preparing in the Fall, could we do DITHOR now? I was thinking we would do DITHOR 2/3, R&S English 2 and our math. We would do this until the Fall when we start Preparing. When we finish DITHOR 2/3 and English 2, we would then go to the next level. Would this work? I am also going to start Little Hands with my almost 5yr old and follow up with Little Hearts after we finish.