heartofdakota.com

Hello! I am checking into HOD for our next school year and desperately need advice! What appeals to me the most about this program is being able to combine my dc. But can I really combine them?? My ds will technically be in third grade next fall, and my dd would be just entering kindergarten. My son's biggest struggles are handwriting/writing assignments. He HATES to write. We don't have any other problems really. My dd is already reading (with my help) and anxious to be doing school work like her big brother. We've done about every cheap work book you can find with her, so I feel like she is more in between kindergarten and first. I think Beyond could be a good fit for us because it's right in between their levels. I feel like I could adjust things up or down as needed...couldn't I? Once we spend the money on curriculum we stick with it until it's done, so this is a huge decision! Thanks in advance for the advice ladies! - Brandy

HI Brandy, and welcome to the board! I do think from what you shared that Beyond would be a great fit for both your dc. To be sure though, check out the placement chart at this link...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

If you look at the first page of the placement chart especially, I think you will be able to tell. We loved Beyond. It is a great way to teach many skills in short lesson format without the burden of much writing. It also includes the "Emerging Reader's Set" (ERS) schedule and comprehension questions in its Appendix. We enjoyed that set so much, and I think it would fit your dd well. If ds is needing a higher level of reading than the ERS, Beyond suggests "Drawn into the Heart of Reading Level 2/3". After you check out the placement chart, if you feel there is an area in LA/math that your ds needs a bit more in, be sure to mention it on here, and we can help you with that too. HOD makes our homeschooling days be full of great books and learning, and it helps me keep Christ front and center in our day. All of our dc love it, and I do too. I think you and your family will too!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks Julie! I have looked at the charts A LOT! My son is really more in the Bigger to Preparing phase, but due to the extension pack available for the next level, I think Beyond is best for now. My dd has always gotten pushed to the side so to speak, and I hate that! I have been looking for something that we could all enjoy together without too much stress for me to pull everything together! My son has already finished up several of his 2nd grade level subjects, but I know there are some things he could still use work on! We have a tendency to plow through things when we do worksheets, so I think HOD will give us a much needed change of pace, while allowing both kids to get what they need! Now I just want to hurry up and finish up our study of the states so we can move on to HOD!

I think you really will enjoy Beyond. Many moms use the right side of Bigger Hearts for an older child doing Beyond, and find that a super easy way to up any LA/math areas they would like. Bigger's LA uses R & S English 2, Dictation Level 2 (not grade equivalent, but just the first level of dictation), and a choice of either Singapore Math 2A/2B or Singapore Math 3A/3B. Just thought I'd share that, so if you wanted to use any of those you could. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie