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Hello I am still trying to get a handle on how HOD works compared to what I am doing now.

I was wondering if HOD thought of using a bound timeline book that you could add to each year? We have these from the company we are using now(not sure if should metion their name ) Each kid has one and the timeline figures that come with the year they are studying, already sticky so all you have to do is cut them out and put them in your time line book. Just wanted to pass that along. Would HOD ever offer some "extra books" above and beyond what is needed for their guide, for those kids that read sooooo fast ?

Thanks,
Stacey

Hi and Welcome!

I don't know what HOD has considered, but I think they see the individual timelines that the students create for each guide as being unique and very valuable for the child's understanding of history. My children used to use a book timeline too, and they have really enjoyed the HOD timelimes in Beyond and Bigger. They're just so personal!

As far as books go, since my son is in the higher age range for the guides and also loves to read I sometimes just check an extra book out of the library for him. For instance, when we studied about Robert Fulton, I checked a couple of chapter books out of the library about him. I did the same with Daniel Boone and others. So I've found it very easy to add in extra books for my son who LOVES information and LOVES to read.

I hope that helps!!!

This has been asked before and I think it was said that it is beneficial for the dc to create their own timeline in that it helps cement the learning and makes it unique for that dc. I know Julie has talked about how neat it is to see how different the timeline entries are between each of her children. Once you get to CTC and then up through the new guide MTM the notebooking pages will offer a continuous timeline that the dc have created. As far as extra books I know many people get some for their dc to read on their own time. As far as books scheduled in the guide you want your dc to stick with the reading schedule and not read too fast or ahead of the guide. A big part of Charlotte Mason is to really savor a book and not fly through it.

We have done the bound sticker version of the timeline in another program and are now doing the child-drawn version in Beyond. I prefer the child-drawn version because it makes my dd pause and actually think about what she is doing. It is really easy to peel a sticker and put it in the book without actually paying much attention to what is on the sticker. When the child has to actually think about how to draw the picture and then has to write the name and date themselves, I think they retain it more.

Also, in HOD at most levels it seems there are options for book packs (classic, girl-interest, boy-interest, history, etc.). If you have an avid reader, you can purchase one of the other options (read-alouds or DITHOR) to have more books. Then you have the extension books as well. I honestly feel like there are more books available in HOD than we can get through, especially if we want to retain the CM style of learning.

HTH,
Kathy

jer2911mom wrote:I prefer the child-drawn version because it makes my dd pause and actually think about what she is doing. It is really easy to peel a sticker and put it in the book without actually paying much attention to what is on the sticker. When the child has to actually think about how to draw the picture and then has to write the name and date themselves, I think they retain it more.

I agree 100%!

Thank you so much for the replies. They have helped a lot.

I have another question different topic. I am trying to decide which would be better for my son (7 this month) Beyond or Bigger. He is reading very well, and we are getting through Horizons phonics 1 (not sure if he needs to finish it ), he doesn't like to write, but I have seen some great improvement in him the last couple of weeks. We would still need another year before cursive. So any adivce why you would go one way or the other.

Thanks again,
Stacey

snadig wrote:Thank you so much for the replies. They have helped a lot.

I have another question different topic. I am trying to decide which would be better for my son (7 this month) Beyond or Bigger. He is reading very well, and we are getting through Horizons phonics 1 (not sure if he needs to finish it ), he doesn't like to write, but I have seen some great improvement in him the last couple of weeks. We would still need another year before cursive. So any adivce why you would go one way or the other.

Thanks again,
Stacey

If writing isn't his favorite and you still need another year before cursive, I'd go with Beyond. Have you checked out the placement chart and looked at the sample weeks?

John'smom wrote: If writing isn't his favorite and you still need another year before cursive, I'd go with Beyond. Have you checked out the placement chart and looked at the sample weeks?

I agree with Edwena! Bigger has lots of writing.

I agree with the ladies' thoughts on timelines - we have found the same to be true here! Just sticking on a sticker may be pretty, but it takes much more thought and more skills to create a personal timeline. As Lynnh said, I have really enjoyed seeing how each of our dc's timelines are different. I will try to show a few here for fun...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4281&p=31545#p31545



Beyond Timeline (photobucket link)


BHFHG Timeline (photobucket link)




For extra reading, we get more books by the same authors HOD has used. We also often get whatever book packs we didn't use (i.e. there are 3 storytime book sets in Beyond and Bigger, and you only use 1 set for each year). I let the kids free read those books. I also let them read the extensions when they are more mature. I use the DITHOR Sample Book Ideas list too. But as was mentioned already, we don't fast forward through our HOD books we use in the guides. We save them, and we have found this CM way of doing things really does help our dc retain what they've read, as well as enjoy each book to its full capacity. HOD books are usually my dc's favorites for "all times", as they say. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie