Is this a good idea?

[Jessie]

So...I've used and LOVED MFW K, 1st, Adventures, and ECC (we are finishing up).

My oldest will be 9 in Oct. I already have MFW CtG but looking at everything, I think this would be better for him (and my dd) in a year or two. What would you say about using HOD Bigger and/ or Preparing then go on to the history cycle? I would want to combine the oldest two.

The only thing I dislike about HOD is there is no schedule grid but I guess that wouldn't be too hard to put together?

My children are ds 8 (9 in Oct.), dd just turned 7, 3yr, 2 yr. Thanks for any thoughts and opinions!

[pjdobro]

Welcome to HOD! I haven't used MFW, but we're finishing Bigger now and we've had a fantastic year. I think your dc would really enjoy it. It sounds like they would be the right age for it. Have you checked out the placement chart to see where they fit: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php We're getting ready to do Preparing in the fall and it looks like it is going to be a fantastic year also. I think your plan sounds great, but be prepared that you might find HOD's CTC very enticing after going through Bigger and Preparing.

[Jessie]

Thank you for your reply! I've looked over the CtC and it looks great also! I figure it wouldn't hurt to try HOD for a couple of years and then go from there !

[Bramble]

Welcome!
I thought I'd miss that weekly grid, too, but I really don't. I actually have more peace with everything laid out for the day in a two-page spread HOD-style. Keeps me from borrowing worries from the rest of the week. Bonus is that all the instructions are right in front of me, so I don't have to flip back and forth like I did with MFW.

[Jessie]

What do y'all use for planning?

[amysconfections]

The guide is your plan. I would definately take a look at the placement chart. If you are combining a 9yr old and 7 yr. old then you will probably need to do Bigger. I have never done MFW, but I love HOD! Hope you enjoy your year!

[Jessie]

Thanks Amy! Yes I'm thinking of using Bigger now then maybe next year Preparing. That sounds like a better plan after reading more posts. About scheduling though, I meant does anyone use a "system"? Like HST or a planner or do you just look at a week at a time? I need to know in advance what supplies I may need and wouldn't want to miss out on something because I missed it. I hope that makes it more clear . I like having a grid to see what I need weeks in advance, but I can just make one I think. I wanted to know what others use for their "system".

[pjdobro]

I've read of some people who use a planner so they can see the week at a glance. I don't usually do this. If I'm really together for the week , I will take a few minutes on Sunday night to look ahead through the week to see what is upcoming. I don't do that often though. Usually I just look the night before to see what we'll be doing the next day. There are some days when it is a total surprise to me what we will be doing that day. It is rare that I don't have the things I need for an activity around the house. It has happened once in a blue moon, but usually it's because I just happen to be out of something that I normally have. I say this to let you know that the guides really are open and go. If you keep a reasonably well stocked pantry and have basic school supplies like construction paper, masking tape, crayons, markers, basic paint, etc. then you will be able to do almost all of the activities without prior preparation. I don't think it would be difficult at all though to put together a weekly plan though if that is the way that you like to see thing laid out.

[Kathleen]

Hi Jessie!

I don't know if you've had a chance to look at the placement chart that was linked above for you, but I'd definitely go through that with each of your kids in mind. "Trying HOD for a while" won't really tell you how it will work for your family unless you have chosen the appropriate placement for your kids. If you choose a guide that is either much too easy or much too difficult for either of your kids (based on where they are skill wise), I don't think you'll be happy with your year. I personally haven't used MFW, but I know that the approach to placement is one of the big differences between HOD and MFW, so I just wanted to mention that again. Picking based on which part of history you'd like isn't the best idea with HOD.

We are loving HOD here! Praying right now that you can find the right fit for your family and enjoy a good year with HOD, too!
Kathleen

[Rikki06]

Hi Jessie! This fall will be my 1st year with HOD (and homeschooling at all!) but I'm a huge planner. I love that the bulk is done for me but with a child who has special needs child where learning is concerned, I will have some extra things I need to do. So, I'm planning on using something but haven't picked anything. That's probably not helpful, huh?

[Bramble]

I don't use any planner or system. I rarely look ahead and we haven't had any issues. Sure beats MFW where I always needed some item not in my household.

[Jessie]

Hi Jessie!

I don't know if you've had a chance to look at the placement chart that was linked above for you, but I'd definitely go through that with each of your kids in mind. "Trying HOD for a while" won't really tell you how it will work for your family unless you have chosen the appropriate placement for your kids. If you choose a guide that is either much too easy or much too difficult for either of your kids (based on where they are skill wise), I don't think you'll be happy with your year. I personally haven't used MFW, but I know that the approach to placement is one of the big differences between HOD and MFW, so I just wanted to mention that again. Picking based on which part of history you'd like isn't the best idea with HOD.

We are loving HOD here! Praying right now that you can find the right fit for your family and enjoy a good year with HOD, too!
Kathleen

I have looked over the placement chart and my oldest two place into Bigger with the younger using the emerging readers. History wise we were going to start the cycle with ancients but I think Bigger then Preparing and then the history cycle would be better. I think they will get so much more out of it in a couple of years. We did one Am. History with Adventures but Bigger looks very different so I really don't mind doing it again in a totally different way. I am SURE they will learn . Thank you Kathleen for the prayers!

[Jessie]

I don't use any planner or system. I rarely look ahead and we haven't had any issues. Sure beats MFW where I always needed some item not in my household.

This is great to hear!

[Jessie]

Hi Jessie! This fall will be my 1st year with HOD (and homeschooling at all!) but I'm a huge planner. I love that the bulk is done for me but with a child who has special needs child where learning is concerned, I will have some extra things I need to do. So, I'm planning on using something but haven't picked anything. That's probably not helpful, huh?

That's funny. You'll have to let me know if you decide on something.

[8arrows]

I do think you have a good plan. I think Bigger is more age-appropriate for your crew right now. You will have a great year. Coming from MFW, I also thought I would miss the grid. I don't . I love HOD's boxes.