heartofdakota.com

Ok, brand new to homeschooling. I will have a gifted 2nd grader (age 7) and a regular learning K (age 5) starting HS this fall. I am trying to find a curriculum that would be affordable & majority of topics can be combined (to save time with teaching, costs, etc).
Do you think HOD would be a good fit? If so, how would I go about combining? Which subjects could I combine? I know reading & math would be separate, but would it be ok to combine Bible & Science & LA?
Which package of HOD would be a good fit? I've thought about using Beyond, but would that not work??

I wish I could find a local mom that had the material so I could view it in person! Choosing a HS curriculum without seeing it in person is stressing me out!!

Welcome to the HOD Board! HOD has age ranges within each guide, which makes combining in small age increments work well. A great place to start is the placement chart. This helped me take into consideration each of our child's needs and place them properly. With HOD, it is possible to enjoy combining, and it is equally possible to enjoy not combining - it truly is that flexible, but placement is key. Many moms print a copy of the placement chart for each of their dc, circle where each falls in each column (paying special attention to the first page), and then share those results here. That helps us help give options for each family's individual needs rather than giving too general advice to everyone. I'd love to hear what you discover in regard to placement for each of your dc after doing that - especially in reading, writing, grammar, and math. I feel so much better about giving advice on placement then, as it is more accurate for your family specifically. If you get a chance to check out the placement chart, at the link below, and can share your thoughts, I know moms will respond with great advice and options to ponder...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Thanks - I think you will enjoy HOD as much as we have - we truly love our homeschooling days together, and I think you will too! Placement takes a bit to figure out, but then the whole year goes so wonderfully well when it's right, that it's so worth the time!

In Christ,
Julie

reading = 7 year old - reading chapter books independently, like Charlotte's Web. So Preparing?
5 year old - can read easy books like Bob books, knows letter sounds. So I guess Beyond.

writing = 7 year old - Can write sentences. Knows how to write name in cursive, but nothing else. Bigger.
5 year old - Can write letters, does not know basic sentence structure - Beyond

grammar= 7 year old - Knows some parts of speech but not all. Knows all basic punctuation. Bigger or Preparing
5 year old = Doesn't know parts of speech or punctuation. Beyond

math= 7 year old = Knows easy multiplication facts (like 5x2), self-teaches math facts, boring at PS where only manipulatives are usually used. Enjoys Math & asks for workbooks at home. We've been using Horizons 2-A & he just goes along at his own pace for fun.
5 year old = can count to 40, can do simple addition/subtraction (like 4+1) Beyond?

So, what do you think?? Which would be best for combining??

If you choose to combine, I would suggest Beyond. I hesistate to place a 5 yr old in that program though. But, LHFHG would be way too young for your oldest. If you were to place your two separately then I would pick LHFHG for your 5 year old and Bigger for your oldest.

For your older you will do his level math, Rod and Staff English 2, Cheerful Cursive and DITHOR level 2 or 3 book pack. In addition if you combine you can easily create your own extension pack for your son to read on his own. I did this for my oldest when we did Beyond. When you combine you are only combining the History, Bible, Poetry, music, science and read alouds.

I agree with the pp's recommendations completely. Having your 7 yo do Bigger Hearts, and your 5 yo do LHFHG would be the best placement overall. However, if you would like to combine, Beyond would be the best option. I'd hesitate to put your 5 yo in Beyond though because the following year she would very likely be unable to do Bigger Hearts. I also think you are wanting to challenge your 7 yo, so that brings me back to Bigger and LHFHG working well. We enjoy multiple guides in our home very much, and we find it very easy to do as each child is accuartely placed and flourishing. HTH as you ponder what you'd like to do!

In Christ,
Julie

I placed my older two in Beyond when they were in K and 2nd. My K'er just missed the cut-off, so he was on the older side of K. He turned 6 a couple months after we started. It has been a pretty good fit...I don't think he got as much from the readings as my DD, but he really enjoyed the activities and did great with the 3Rs. We are now using Bigger (they are 7 and 9), and the only thing he struggles with is the writing, so I write out some things for him. They do separate math, LA, reading, and handwriting.

I agree that the "best" placement would be to keep them in their own guides, but as a busy mom, I understand wanting to combine them. Both are options for prayerful consideration.

HollyS wrote:...I agree that the "best" placement would be to keep them in their own guides, but as a busy mom, I understand wanting to combine them. Both are options for prayerful consideration.

Great summation - I agree totally! May the Lord help you with your decision!
In Christ,
Julie