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I have been thinking a lot lately about how the HOD programs lay a solid foundation in so many areas. Maybe because we are in our 3rd guide and I can see the pieces all coming together and maybe also because I have an 11th grader and I am seeing what is needed for ACT/SAT, college applications etc. I thought I would list a few things I see and I would love to see what others see also.

I love how HOD lays the foundation in...
1. First and foremost Scripture knowledge and the ability to apply and really think thru scripture and its meaning. My ds is now going to a Men's Bible Study. My dh has commented about how amazed he is that my ds is willing to participate in the discussions around the tables. I know that comes from the reading and discussing we do throughout the day. I also am seeing the fruits of the biblical character studies we have done thru HOD.
2. vocabulary knowledge. I love how through reading books that use older vocabulary and through the vocabulary activities that are scheduled he is gaining knowledge of many vocabulary words that most kids don't get. My dd is studying for the SAT. She was in Honors English in ps and has done many vocabulary workbooks thru the years, but she is weak in the area of vocabulary and I am convinced that it is because she has not seen those words being applied in the books she reads. I am coming to believe that the only way to truly build your vocabulary knowledge is to read books that use those challenging words in context.
3. a variety of styles of writing. I love the variety of writing programs and assignments in the different guides. I love how each year there is an emphasis on a different style of writing from Poetry, to creative, to factual report style. Again I wish my dd would have had that.
4. literary analysis. I see all the pieces of literary analysis being introduced a little at a time. I know that by the time he gets to high school where he is expected to analyze different works of literature/poetry he will be able to do so because of the foundation that has been built.

Very encouraging to read this--thank you. We are only one week in, but I see how wonderfully everything is woven together in one short week. I love DITHOR for what it provides: literary genre analysis, character studies, Scriptures and application of those in reading and one's personal life, higher level thinking skills, instruction of organizing ideas-a graphic outline if you will---people need to be skilled in organizing their ideas well before they can write them well. This works well for us.
Since I have only just begun after leaving another curriculum behind, I have little experience with HOD, but as a former teacher of reading, writing and literature specifically, I see the beauty of Carrie's organization and educational approach and its benefits from that perspective. As a homeschooling mom, I treasure the Biblical focus and see how a child can grow and apply this wisdom over time as you have shared. I also see how masterfully Carries weaves concepts together and reinforces through the plan to help cement that information...what a blessing! Last year, I thought I would lose my mind with my old curriculum. I worked countless hours to assemble it all and felt like it was all about cramming their minds full of information--too much info, too little time. Every week I wondered if we had done enough or too much--everyone was exhausted. Since I had to homeschool without any preparation due to health issues, I just went with a curriculum a friend recommended. I have prayed and asked the Lord for much help and wisdom over the last year, and when I found this curriculum it was such a blessing. After praying about what the Lord wanted me to teach my children and planning on creating it all myself, I looked through the samples of the various guides and the topics covered and saw that Carrie had already written in what God placed on my heart. What an answer to prayer for our family. I also see how she builds on a foundation one brick at a time..this is learning that won't soon be forgotten. I do believe this approach helps commit information to memory....rather than losing it all due to too much info. in a short time period. From my perspective, it is balanced and complete. We all love it so far..and my kids are chomping at the bit to read the books on the shelves. We have gotten the extensions, DITHOR books and many from her book list as well.

I have to agree with you both. This is our 4th year with HOD and I'm really seeing the pieces come together this year. It amazes me how some scan through one guide and think there isn't enough meat to the program. It is so much meatier when you actually get into doing it, and each guide builds on the previous guide. My dc are not only attaining knowledge about a lot of things, but gaining skills in so many areas also. I agree with the foundations already posted. I'll just add a couple more.

1. Solid writing skills in poetry, creative writing, and narrative writing (I had to add this one even though it's similar to the first post because lately I have been seeing this so much in my dc and I'm stunned at the skill level they have developed in this area.)
2. Oral narration skills
3. Independence and taking over the responsibility of learning

I know there are many more, but I can't think of them right now since my dc are chattering away to me.

Ladies,

I love the title of this thread! At HOD, we work so hard to incrementally lay the foundation in so many skill areas in a step-by-step fashion so that kiddos will be prepared for what is to come in their spiritual life and academic life. Thank you for taking time to share!

Blessings,
Carrie

YES to everything you ladies have said! And...
~Forming the habit of a personal quiet time with the Lord.
~Looking to God's Word when evaluating input from books (as in DITHOR) as well as other media we see/hear/read. Discernment!
~Following step-by-step instructions to complete a project. Could be something artsy or in the kitchen or a game... Love how the projects in the guide give confidence to read and follow other directions!

Those 3 came to mind instantly, so I had to share. I'm sure I could come up with more if I sat here longer...but I think I'm going to bed.

Kathleen

This is only our 2nd year with HOD, so this is just such a blessing to read. Now that we're 9 weeks into Bigger, when I look at the week sample from Preparing I can really see a progression. Thanks for sharing.

A resounding "YES" to all that's been wisely shared already , and a few more...
- character training, first with Godly character traits within DITHOR and Storytime, and then also within devotionals
- becoming a Godly young man or woman and a purity focus, learning to go to Scriptures for help, for exultation, for fears, for comfort, for truth, for everything!
- conducting experiments, first more simple ones, and then more complex ones, but all with the student being responsible for the work, the thinking, the reflecting, and the outcome
- notebooking - how to set up a good notebooking page, how to use space properly, convey ideas effectively, illustrate vividly, label correctly, and share what has been learned in a creative way
- research using one source, two sources, and then using different sources of media; learning to mesh findings into the best and most solid answers possible
- prayer - starting short, building to more personal, basing them upon Scriptures, and then following the ACTS model of prayer paralleling the Lord's Prayer
- reading level - this may seem an obvious one, but honestly there are quite a few linear curriculums out there in which the reading stays the same from year to year, HOD increases the reading level of books incrementally from year to year which has my ds reading books I think are truly challenging, and yet he handles them just fine as they are just a step up from the year before

I'd love to hear what others have experienced or have found too! This is a great thread, Lynnh, as it helps give a window into how HOD builds upon the foundation laid from year to year. Those that have used HOD for multiple years can really see the big picture and share it well with those trying to see it more clearly. What a helpful thread!

In Christ,
Julie

Ladies,

This thread is so helpful as it shares from the heart the heart of HOD! I appreciate each of you who shared!

Blessings,
Carrie

I came on this board today with my prayers of HOD possibly being our new curriculum for my 8, 6 1/2, and almost 5 year olds.

This thread I just stumbled upon has been such a blessing to me as it let me see into the heart and foundation of the HOD curriculum.

Thank you ladies! The sincerity on this thread was absolutely wonderful to read. It really does look like a curriculum that is what I have been looking for since it incorporates into it the very elements I have been trying to put into the one I have been using.

In Christ,

Oh! I'm so glad that this helped you!

Blessings,
Carrie