heartofdakota.com

Hi! My name is Cheryl and this is my first time using HOD. My son is 10 and we are starting with Creation to Christ. This is just our second week, so I don't have a lot to say, but I am so excited! This program looks so well thought out!

We are using the History option and Considering God's Creation instead of the Science option since we already had it and wanted to save some money. We also are using Drawn into the Heart of Reading with the Boy Package. I am super excited about this, too!

For language, I'll be using Rod and Staff 3rd grade and some Winston Grammar. We've also been relaxed with the Language Arts--well, with grammar and writing. I don't usually start any formal grammar until 11 or 12.

That being said, I have a question about the writing and spelling. Could I just use the Ignite Your Writing instead of Writing with the Best? Looking at the reviews, I thought it might be best to start with that. He is reluctant, and the IYW looks like it might be more fun.

I also didn't see anything for spelling. What is recommended?

~Cheryl

I had the same thinking about grammar with my two older dds but I now have 2 young children with language problems so I have embraced the CM teaching as directed in HOD and I love it! I have used Ignite Your Writing with my older dds. The Rod & Staff does an excellent job teaching grammar. IMHO I would just use Write With The Best since it is in CTC guide and nicely laid out. It (WWTB) says to take it slowly if this is first formal writing so I would do just that. There isn't a guide to use Ignite Your Writing so you are without a TM. I went through Preparing with my immature 3rd grader last year and just didn't feel his writing was adequate for CTC so I created a guide using HOD as the backsplash and the resources I have from 12 years of HSing. A ton of work this summer for me! Well now I see that ds is ready for CTC if I had slowed the pace in the beginning but he is enjoying what I created so we will plug along until next year with CTC. Very excited to use CTC next year. Take it slowly 1/2 speed for CTC if needed to firm up writing and when ready full speed ahead.
Tammy

I see you also asked about spelling. The CTC guide has 3 levels of dictation in the appendix. The dictation is done 3x/week in CTC. Each guide has spelling or dictation in the appendix that is appropriate for that guide. This is an excellent way to learn spelling as my ds doubled his standardized test spelling score (our state requires annual standardized test so don't panic that you need to test I wouldn't if I didn't have to).
Tammy