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I have three children: 8, 5, and almost 2. 8yo did Christian school through 1st gr, using Abeka for LA, which she did not like. Last year I started to to home school. Academically she does well, but it is really rough to keep her motivated/on task, esp. w/ the 2 little ones around. So this year when I'm adding a K, I needed a preplanned curriculum, and Carrie helped me fit my 5 yo into LHFHG, which I'm excited to try. At the time It didn't feel like a fit for my 3rd grader, & we didn't have more time to talk. As I've read this board/reviews, I'm intrigued, but I really need help assessing. Last year we did Singapore 2, Apologia Astronomy, reading from Sonlight 1 & 2 combo World History (older version), and Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL) 3. This year we'd planned to return to Apologia, do Singapore 3, and I've been uncertain about the rest. Decided against Sonlight because of it's de-emphasis on America's Christian heritage, but am definitely unsure about having the time/ability to plan in all of a history curriculum, esp. as a newbie. I do not want to purchase a full curriculum and still end up doing a great deal of substituting/planning. So here are my questions/concerns about if and where she may fit:

My daughter and I were really excited about doing the children's series from Peter Marshall starting with the Light & the Glory (3 books through about the Civil War). Does HOD ever use them? Would it work to put them into the DITHOR somewhere?

She loved Apologia and really likes science. I've read that a few people think HOD is a little light on science. Would it work to do some Apologia, too, or is that too much? If so, any ideas on how to schedule it in?

We read the sample lesson plan for BHFHG in the catalog and the geography seemed like things we already covered doing a third grade level Map book last year, but I realize that wasn't much to go on. Any input?

I relied on the Singapore HIG quite a bit for 2A, but with 2B the material was easier, so we hardly looked at it. Does HOD cover much of what the HIG covers? Or would the HIG be a helpful resource for 3A/B?

My daughter is a very strong reader, but not as strong of a writer, and she does not enjoy grammar. Doing LLATL 3 she did very well, but didn't seem to retain it well for the reviews. It is not real detailed, and has little repetition. So I had her do all of the Unit tests in the back of the R & S 2 Teacher's Manual. She scored 92 %. She has a really good language instinct, but probably did know all of the "whys." She had almost completed the first unit test covering adjectives, getting only about 4 wrong, when she asked me what an adjective was! After I prompted her to think a few times, she did finally recall the answer herself. I don't want to bore her with something she's gone over, although not nearly as thoroughly, but I don't want her to go on if she really needs to build more foundation. So, does she need 2 or would she be ready for 3 if I used Manual 2 to beef up weak areas? If so, how would that work in, since Bigger has Lvl 2? Or might she be ready for Preparing?

Also, she's read a third of the books from the Classic and the Girls sets just recently. So how could the schedule work if I wanted to substitute or maybe combine books from those 2 sets?

Might she be ready for the Ext. set? Does that include a lot of writing? How much time might it add to the day to include the Ext.?

Is Hymns for a Kid's Heart used thoughout the year, or just for a certain period of time (we just went over this from the library)?

Also, I see that A Child's History of the World is used as a main spine book for Preparing. We just read it last year, so I really do not want to redo it next year--there are so many good things waiting to be explored! It seems like that would really impact the program. Any ideas?

Finally, and most importantly, how about the impact/effectiveness/strenghts & weaknesses of the spiritual component of the program?

As you can see, I have lots of questions, and I would so appreciate any input. Thanks much.

Hello and welcome!!
I thought I would try to answer some of your questions, I am sure others will come along and give you more answers also!
First of all, have you looked at the placement chart to see if your daughter places solidly into BIGGER? Placement in HOD is so important! We came to HOD after doing a mix of several things and a lot of Sonlight, and have reeeeally loved it so much ! At first it was hard for me to grasp, but HOD is so complete and written in such a way that skills progress as children work through the guides in order (which is why the placement chart is so helpful and accurate!)

ContemplatorMom wrote:My daughter and I were really excited about doing the children's series from Peter Marshall starting with the Light & the Glory (3 books through about the Civil War). Does HOD ever use them? Would it work to put them into the DITHOR somewhere?

I am not familiar with these books, but I bet you would be able to find a place for them. DITHOR uses different Genres for Literature study. You would just have to find which Genre to match the books to.

ContemplatorMom wrote:I relied on the Singapore HIG quite a bit for 2A, but with 2B the material was easier, so we hardly looked at it. Does HOD cover much of what the HIG covers? Or would the HIG be a helpful resource for 3A/B?

I already own the HIG's so I do keep them on hand, and have only referenced them a couple of times while using HOD. Would your daughter be doing level 3? I think that Carrie only has in the guides to use the textbook and the workbook. Bigger only has level 2 scheduled (which she gives hands on teaching lessons for) so you would just have to work through the level 3 at a pace to finish when you want or buy the Preparing manual for the schedule to math level 3A/3B in the appendix. You would use the textbook to teach the child and go over it with her, then she would do the workbook independently. If you are not comfortable with teaching math I really dont think it would hurt to have it on hand.

ContemplatorMom wrote:She loved Apologia and really likes science. I've read that a few people think HOD is a little light on science. Would it work to do some Apologia, too, or is that too much? If so, any ideas on how to schedule it in?

Again, HOD is full on its own. If you get started and decide you want more science I think you could have her do a sciency (prob. not a word ) lapbook or something she may be able to do with little help from you(apologia is quite a lot to add though) just every once in a while. If it were me, I would start first and see what you think and how much you have time for latter, especially with the little ones??

ContemplatorMom wrote:We read the sample lesson plan for BHFHG in the catalog and the geography seemed like things we already covered doing a third grade level Map book last year, but I realize that wasn't much to go on. Any input?

Sorry for repeating this again, but in HOD skills build as you progress in the guides, so after BIGGER geography in Preparing is a step up. I know some one else will be able to help here better, but I remember that we learned the continents, oceans and states. If that helps at all...

ContemplatorMom wrote:My daughter is a very strong reader, but not as strong of a writer, and she does not enjoy grammar.

If you so not think she loves grammar and did not retain much, you could certainly try level 2 (which is what I think I would do). It really is pretty basic though... The most important thing to remember here is that you would just be finishing Rod and Staff level 8 by graduation. So you would want to pace her in a way to start level 7 by grade 9..;. which I think gives a little room to play with and get her comfortable with it.

ContemplatorMom wrote: if I used Manual 2 to beef up weak areas? If so, how would that work in, since Bigger has Lvl 2? Or might she be ready for Preparing?

If you decide to do level 3, you would simply have her do a lesson a day or pace it so that she finishes by the end of the year, thats all.

ContemplatorMom wrote:Also, she's read a third of the books from the Classic and the Girls sets just recently. So how could the schedule work if I wanted to substitute or maybe combine books from those 2 sets?

Yes you could mix these up, just be sure to use 1 from each genre, as the read-alouds are also taught according to genre. For example if your daughter has read Ben and ME from the calssic set you would want to substitute another biography like Phillis Wheatly from the girl set and so on. I think that Carrie even makes some suggestions for books in the appendix of the BIGGER manual ( I put mine in the attic already or I would look for you).

ContemplatorMom wrote:Might she be ready for the Ext. set? Does that include a lot of writing? How much time might it add to the day to include the Ext.?

I would say probably not, but it would add reading to the area of science and history, and at a higher level? So if you wanted more science material, maybe?? Some one else may answer this better.

Is Hymns for a Kid's Heart used thoughout the year, or just for a certain period of time (we just went over this from the library)?
This is used the entire year and coincides with learning in other areas.

ContemplatorMom wrote:Also, I see that A Child's History of the World is used as a main spine book for Preparing. We just read it last year, so I really do not want to redo it next year--there are so many good things waiting to be explored! It seems like that would really impact the program. Any ideas?

This book is only one that is used of the 4 History spines. And just guessing form the way things went in BIGGER, you just use pieces of it and it is done in such a way, that I really feel you would not be disappointed to 'redo' it in the new way that Carrie uses it within the Preparing guide. I hope that makes since

ContemplatorMom wrote:Finally, and most importantly, how about the impact/effectiveness/strenghts & weaknesses of the spiritual component of the program?

I will say that I always have my children read their Bibles still! In Bigger we were memorizing Proverbs and there is other Bible discussion that is absolutely wonderful!! Throughout the year in BIGGER and DITHOR your child will be learning godly-character traits and how God is the center of history, science and everything. Also the guides are written in such a beautiful way that God is the MOST important aspect of the entire package and I have NEVER used such a God-honoring, Christ centered program before!!! THANK YOU HOD!!!

I hope this helps!

Brandi

I totally realize my last post was sooo lengthy, SORRY
One more thing to consider if you look at the placement chart and still feel your daughter could do either Preparing or BIgger, is the amount of writing... You mentioned your daughter does not love to write. There is a lot of writing in Bigger and even more in Preparing. There is a post on here with the amount of writing in them, I just do not know how to put a link for you. Oh and lastly, Carrie recommends to do 2/3 of the Rod and Staff orally, so that the child is only writing 1/3 down on their own .

I think Brandi did a great job answering your questions. Here is the link that compares the writing in Bigger versus Preparing: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

WOW - Brandi - you did such an awesome job of answering each of contemplatorMom's post! I agree whole-heartedly with your advice, and I hope she has had a chance to read your post. Patti - that was a good post to link too - thanks for being such encouragers, ladies! ContemplatorMom- we'd love to hear back from you when you get a chance to read this - and be sure to keep asking questions until you are set. This board is full of wonderful ladies like Brandi and Patti, and we are all glad to help you as you begin your journey with HOD. Welcome to the board, and I look forward to getting to know you better here.

In Christ,
Julie

Patty, you are so great and always so kind!! Every time you are so quick to give a link or picture ( it makes me SMILE) !!! Julie- thank you so much! I had a little extra time, we had just finished Bigger last week (woohoo) I felt it was fresh. I can not imagine how you and Carrie find time to do ALL you do and take the time to answer our many questions so thoroughly and with so much grace and love in each post. Just the time and thought put into your answers and posts just blow me away! You are AMAZING!! Thank you so very much for all you do! We are so very blessed to have you and to have had the LORD lead us to HOD, I cant even express thanks enough!

Just wanted to add, the daily lesson schedule for Singapore 3A/3B is also found in the Bigger Hearts appendix, so you would not need to buy the next guide up for that. Extensions in Bigger are to increase the level of learning if you had a 4th or 5th grader doing Bigger along with the younger student. You would probably find Bigger very full for your third grader as is, unless you find that according to the placement chart she fits in Preparing