New with Questions

[b.motherofthree]

Greetings all.

II'll be homeschooling for the first time with my oldest next year. She's going into 6th and will be 11 this April. I'm seriously interested in HOD. The Christ-centered focus is the biggest draw in combination with what I have seen of the curriculum. I'm curious about beginning with CTC or Res to Ref. My dd is a WONDERFUL reader, and very motivated learner. I am actually curious about how boring it would be for her to start with CTC (though she MAY be a bit advanced for it) because I really would like for her to get the History/Scripture background presented in the section.

Thoughts?

[psreit]

Welcome! You will love HOD. It sounds like you know where your dd places. We haven't gotten this far, but I think I can safely say she will not be bored if you would like her to begin in CTC. The extension packages are for more advanced students, so that would give your dd more of a challenge. I'm sure she would fit very well, as the extension age is 12-13. I have been very happy with Carrie's choice of books. We have used Little Hearts & Beyond. Now we are working in Bigger. It was nice starting at the beginning. It did give a good Biblical foundation. So, if you are leaning toward CTC for that foundation/background into the upper guides, I'm sure your dd will learn very much from it. You just put her in the level of Language Arts and Math that she fits into. I'm sure someone who has used CTC can be of more help.

[Molly]

I would probably opt with going with CTC even with a good reader. The wonderful thing about HOD is not only the books they read but the activities they do with it, the written narrations, the oral narrations, the thinking about what is going on and so much more. This is where my good reader has made great progress, in the activities, and she is enjoying books so much more because she is learning to actually think about what she is reading and looking at it often in a few different ways.

If you were worried about not finishing all the guides before she ends her schooling, you could possibly look at doing 5 days a week to move through the guides quicker.

[countrymom]

I definitely agree with the others. Being new to HOD, homeschooling, and the Charlotte Mason style of learning, I would start with CTC, using the extensions if necessary. I don't think she will be bored. Welcome to HOD!

[Kims]

And I also agree. Since you are learning something new (both of you) starting with CTC would probably be best. I would ease into schooling at home too so there is not that culture shock.

[abrightmom]

Greetings all.

II'll be homeschooling for the first time with my oldest next year. She's going into 6th and will be 11 this April. I'm seriously interested in HOD. The Christ-centered focus is the biggest draw in combination with what I have seen of the curriculum. I'm curious about beginning with CTC or Res to Ref. My dd is a WONDERFUL reader, and very motivated learner. I am actually curious about how boring it would be for her to start with CTC (though she MAY be a bit advanced for it) because I really would like for her to get the History/Scripture background presented in the section.

Thoughts?

Have you considered your daughter's placement within HOD? HOD uses a placement chart as a starting point for placing a kiddo in the right guide. Keeping in mind that you won't be starting the HOD guide until perhaps the fall I'd be inclined to evaluate her placement toward the end of her current school year to get the best fit for her skill level. Here's the placement chart: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

[b.motherofthree]

Thanks everyone. I have considered her placement, and it generally looks like she'd already be okay in Res to Ref., but I also know that most HS/Private school curriculum has aspects that make it hard to transition seamlessly to or from the public system. I also know that often, HS curriculum may seem to be on par with public, but it's usually a step or two ahead.
She is at the top of her class (so to speak) and always has been. She devours learning which is both encouraging and a little intimidating for this mom! Fortunately, I've taught in private school before, and I was homeschooled at various points in my youth so I'm hoping it won't be quite the culture shock because of those factors.
My biggest reason for considering CTC was I don't want her to miss the history presented, but I guess we could find a way to cover it over the summer, maybe?
While it's not the only reason, the initial gasping "I think I'm head over heels for this curriculum" moment was looking at the 1st choice Girl option or Res to Ref. I've been looking for something like this to do on our own, and NOTHING that I've found comes close to addressing these sensitive issues in a Christ-centered and delicate way. So I'm wondering how/if any mixing is possible.
I also would be a little concerned starting with CTC just because I would HATE for her to take a step back and be behind if we ever have to move back into the system (I pray not!).
I'd love to continue to hear your feedback, and I know I probably won't be able to make a definite decision until we've made it through this year, but I'm trying to get a jump on it in my head, at least.

[my3sons]

Hi there, and welcome to the HOD Board! The ladies here are simply great - such helpful, wise, encouragers! I am glad you were able to look at the placement chart to help with placement. It is quite accurate, but another step that will help you decide proper placement is looking at each first week of plans. Since you are looking at CTC and RTR, here are the first week of plans for each...

CTC:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/CTC-First-Week.pdf
RTR:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/rtr-we ... glance.pdf

When you print each week of plans, look specifically at the "I" independent boxes and the "S" semi-independent boxes of each. Reading through these with your dd in mind will help make clear which guide is a better match for her. Reading and following multi-step directions carefully and accurately, working well independently on the tasks labeled as such, using time management skills, and the amount of writing required are skills that differ in difficulty between CTC and RTR. If you find yourself thinking your dd would need you to step in and help with the "I" boxes, or work alongside her the entire time for the "S" boxes, in RTR, than CTC would be a better fit. Likewise, if the amount of writing seems to be too much in RTR when compared to CTC, CTC would be a better fit. If RTR seems a better fit, I would go with that. RTR would probably be as high as I would go for sure - I would not start with RevtoRev with a sixth grader new to HOD. The guides are more challenging than would first appear. As another poster mentioned, it is the many follow-up skills and activities that deepen the learning. We have truly enjoyed and appreciated the systematic progression of many varied skills through the guides and feel it has helped balance our dc's learning beautifully.

We have done both guides, and they are both excellent! We've used HOD for a decade, and I don't believe we've had a single day I'd call uninteresting - quite the opposite. The books chosen are simply amazing, and I, like you, also appreciate the Christ-centered nature of HOD. The girl study you are referring to in RTR is timely, and oh so helpful - so many parents have commented upon that study with such gratitude. It can certainly be added to CTC should that be the guide that fits her best. You would need the RTR guide and the girl study resources. Please be sure to keep asking questions or sharing until you are at peace with a placement. I have also just prayed for you in this decision as well, as the Lord will certainly guide you in the best direction. HTH, and I am looking forward to getting to know you here!

In Christ,
Julie

[b.motherofthree]

I'm leaning toward CTC. I'm getting so excited that it's hard to restrain myself from ordering it now! DH would probably not appreciate that (not in the budget yet!). I will likely go ahead and order the "God's Design for My Body" set when I do order CtC. Although, thinking about it, is there a reason I couldn't go ahead and order the God's Design set and the teacher book and go through that portion now? Then when we get to RTR we could use one of the other choices.That would give me a chance to get a feel for the curriculum before we dive in full force next year. Hmmm. Much to consider...and then there's placement for Language and Math! Whew!

[b.motherofthree]

Oh, and I forgot to ask this. How much ability is there to move at your own pace? If we want to work ahead, can we? Does the curriculum lend itself to that? Or is it pretty rigid?

[b.motherofthree]

Anyone?

[Molly]

I say you can definately work at your own pace. I think if you know where you are at you can go at any speed you like. I would probably just have the child and/or myself put a wee tick in the corner of each box as it is done so you can just keep track of where you are. I currently am doing BHFHG with my 9yr old on a four day week doing five days of work during that time so that we get through quicker as we only school four days a week so it is easier to keep each unit to a one week period.