I need help deciding: Weaver or HOD

[littlesteps]

I'll have to place our homeschool order coming week...for 2 years! We live abroad and can only order every other year. The problem is that I just can't decide between the Weaver curriculum and HOD. I don't know if I want to seperate my children into different guides, where as with the Weaver I combine everyone in one go. Does anyone have experience with the Weaver?

[psreit]

I have not used Weaver, but judging from the samples I have seen, I have to say that HOD's layout looks so much easier to use. Both have very good content, but HOD has virtually no prep time. I have my books ready and follow instructions in the daily boxes and it is done. Depending on the age of your children, you may be able to combine in HOD. Some have done up to 3 or 4 guides at one time. When they are older, they can do much of it independently. Maybe some who have done multiple guides will share their experience. I'm only using one and I do not desire to go to anything else. I've used a lot of other curriculum when my older 3 were homeschooled, but since I have been using HOD, when I look at other curriculum, I get overwhelmed. Carrie has EVERYTHING written out. Excellent Bible and character training! Great book choices too. I have been enjoying it myself.

[annaz]

I don't know much about Weaver, except that I think it requires a lot of planning, doesn't it?

HOD you don't need to plan. Just open and go.

[TrueGRIT]

I am a little biased here, but my on a quick overview of the Weaver curriculum, I found it overwhelming and confusing!
We are currently doing 2 guides regularly and occasionally do LHTH with my 3yo. I only spend 20 minutes or so getting ready to teach for the next week.
That is to check on any supplies (cotton balls, paint, etc.) needed and what is planned for each day, since we have a slightly different schedule for each day.
I have been known to move a box forward or back a day based on what we need. That is one nice thing about HOD guides - the assignments in boxes!

I know it can seem a lot to handle when you need to plan for more than one year at a time. It will all come together.
Depending on the ages and placements of your children it may be they can be combined so you are not teaching too many guides.
The guides can also be stretched to last more than one 'school year'. That is one of the beautiful things of HOD.

Maybe someone with experience with Weaver can help better - personally I have never known anyone to like it, and the other half say "what Weaver?"
You will eventually know best for your family.

[my3sons]

Hi there! Have you checked out the placement chart? Maybe some of your dc can be combined. Even if they are like my dc and combining doesn't work out to be the best fit, I bet you'd love HOD. We still learn as a family, and so much sharing takes place. This thread explains how so beautifully...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9343

Why do families love HOD so much, whether combining or not? Check out this thread...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8268&p=60839#p60839

Littlesteps - I think you would absolutely love HOD, and I am excited for you to begin using it with your dc! I hope you do. God bless you either way, and may He help you make your decision according to His good and perfect will!

In Christ,
Julie

[oneblessedmama]

HOD does not require any library trips. It really is open and go! Best of all it centers around Christ. I also considered Weaver, but God led me to HOD, and I am so very satisfied. Cannot believe how much stress level has gone down! In looking at Weaver, I was overwhelmed with the giant binders. HOD is manageable, and doesn't take up much space. Both programs are similar, God will lead you to the one he wants you to use. You will feel peace and sleep soundly if you listen to his gentle whisper. God bless you on your journey.

[littlesteps]

Thank you Julie for the link to Carrie's post. That made me think! I'll have to read it to dh

One more question that came to mind: Weaver seems to be 'all subjects linked to the bible', where as HOD seems to be 'all subjects linked to history'. Am I right?

[littlesteps]

oneblessedmama: Yes I do need to pray about it and listen to His voice. He knows what we need. Thanks for the reminder!

[John'smom]

Thank you Julie for the link to Carrie's post. That made me think! I'll have to read it to dh

One more question that came to mind: Weaver seems to be 'all subjects linked to the bible', where as HOD seems to be 'all subjects linked to history'. Am I right?

I guess some would think that with Beyond. I however did not think that with Bigger and definitely not with Preparing so far. My dd (8 yrs) just said on Thursday, "Momma, I love how HOD is all about the Bible." I haven't ever told her HOD's slogan (Christ-centered learning from our heart to yours). It was just her perception.

The science is definitely not linked with the History from Bigger on up. However in every subject, we are always brought back to the Bible. Love it!!!

[Heather4Him]

Thank you Julie for the link to Carrie's post. That made me think! I'll have to read it to dh

One more question that came to mind: Weaver seems to be 'all subjects linked to the bible', where as HOD seems to be 'all subjects linked to history'. Am I right?

Hi!!

We used the Weaver many years ago (for early grades) with one child, and it was a lot more preparation than HOD (even though I'm using HOD for a high schooler now!) Plus, it DOES base everything around the Bible, but it seems more "disjointed" because of the way it presents the subjects.

On the other hand, HOD bases it's "timeline" of events on chronological or historical order--BUT, it points everything back to the Bible and Christ and Christian values. For example, we are using the older guides (from Creation to Christ, Resurrection to the Reformation, and now Revival to Revolution), and there is a "Biblical Worldview" box/study that you work through with your child(ren), a separate "Quiet Time" Bible study box that they do on their own (so that they learn to have that important time every day), AND many of the history readings and boxes point back to the Bible by comparing how someone in history acted compared to someone in the Bible (with specific Bible verse references). And, the "Key Ideas" that Carrie puts on every box (which summarizes what is learned in that subject for that day), often explain/describe the historical event based on Christian worldview or Biblical perspective.

SO, even though the WAY the subjects are introduced (as they come up in the Bible--with the Weaver, or as they come up in history--with HOD), both are VERY Bible-based and Christ-centered. I just feel that HOD is more "cohesive", easier to use, much less planning, etc. I'm SO glad that God led us to HOD!

[psreit]

Some of the science in Bigger is centered around the same time period as the history, but maybe not specifically from the history reading. However you want to look at it, the history and the Bible/character lesson do correspond. I like that, because the actions (good or bad) of the historical figures make it easier for dd to understand the character trait. The memory verses are in conjunction with the character lessons. Once a week there is a passage of Scripture read (separate from the memory verse) which highlights Bible characters who did or did not show the character trait being taught. Some days Scripture is used during storytime to bring out a certain attribute that is then used in questions regarding the characters of the story. For example, so far in Bigger some storytime questions had to do with whether or not the characters showed responsibility or fear of the Lord. Even much of the poetry has Biblical connotation. These are just some examples of how HOD was writtten. A couple of years ago, in a certain thread, Carrie had shared that she had been asked to write HOD without the Bible. She refuses to do that. The Bible is what makes HOD the wonderful curriculum that it is.

[brokenopen]

I used weaver for a year once. There were a few things I liked about it, but found i was constantly ordering books through other libraries and researching a lot of substitutions as many books were out of print, or simply not available through our county's rather large library system. It was difficult to understand at first, but at the time I was only teaching one of my now 4 children Icould see it being a good fit for some moms, however.

I really love HOD, and know this is His will for our family this season
The Lord was very specific with us as He lead us to seek His will on a curriculum decision, and I am very thankful!!! Every family has to find the tools God knows will fit best in their hand's. HOD blesses us in sooo many ways. We run three guides, here....and mom learns so much.

I know God will be specific with you as you seek His will, because He did it for us, too.

[littlesteps]

Thank you ladies. You have given me quite some food for thought. I haven't decided yet, and tomorrow is THE day! Yet, I have to say....the guides look so EASY!

If I choose HOD...I'll need some placement help. My little one fits perfectly on the placement chart for LHFHG, but I'm not too sure about my almost 6 year old. He is ahead in all subjects and reads and writes without a problem. At the moment he's learning cursive and foreign languages 'to keep him busy'. I need to keep him challenged at all times or he'll get bored. What do you think? For math we're using something else.

[TrueGRIT]

If he can read and write well you could always get Beyond for him, and start if off at half-speed, later moving to full speed.
That way 1) you could see if it truly works, 2) It would last a bit longer than a year, 3) It would be easily available for your little one later on.

If it didn't work you could always do LHFHG with 1st grade reading, writing, and Math. Then you would have Beyond available for next year since you only order
every couple of years.
I know you will find what works best. Have fun!

Mikki

[my3sons]

Thank you ladies. You have given me quite some food for thought. I haven't decided yet, and tomorrow is THE day! Yet, I have to say....the guides look so EASY!

If I choose HOD...I'll need some placement help. My little one fits perfectly on the placement chart for LHFHG, but I'm not too sure about my almost 6 year old. He is ahead in all subjects and reads and writes without a problem. At the moment he's learning cursive and foreign languages 'to keep him busy'. I need to keep him challenged at all times or he'll get bored. What do you think? For math we're using something else.

Could you remind me how old each of your dc are? I know you have an almost 6 yo. So sorry if you shared the little one's age, but I can't remember it or don't see it if you did! Thanks!

In Christ,
Julie