heartofdakota.com

I just joined this discussion board yesterday. I have been researching homeschooling since February. I have two boys 8 and 5 1/2 yrs old. I have been disappointed with the public school and the 8 yr old (second grade) says he hates school and that he is stupid. This attitude and self doubt is what caused me to look into homeschooling. The 5 1/2 yr has only been to preschool and I have not enrolled for fall. I think I am 90% there in making my decision to homeschool. I just have doubts that I can do it. I want to be the biggest influence in their lives, not their friends at school. I have loved the HOD catalog (picked up at Mache). I would like to know if it is best, since the boy's are three "grades" apart, to purchase Little Hearts and Bigger Hearts and school separately? I like that things are planned out. That works for my type A personality. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Paula

Hi Paula, welcome to the HOD boards. You will find a fabulous group of ladies here willing to share their experiences with you. And if you do choose to use HOD, it is honestly a most wonderful journey, filled with Christ, great academics and fun activities.

I would definately keep your guys in separate guides. I am presuming that you have checked the placement chart in the catalog. We are using LHFHG for our 6yr old son, as he has some speech difficulties and is a little slow with his reading, but I have found that it is just perfect for him and he loves to do the activities, his memory verses and loves storytime. It is great to see him enjoy his learning which was really lacking prior to finding HOD. I had been dragging him in on what my girls were working on for history etc, prior to finding HOD.

My next oldest, who will be 9 in July, is now onto Unit 4 of Bigger. I had started her in Preparing with her older sister, but she really wasn't ready for it, although she managed to do the work, I felt she was always trying to compare her work to her sister's work, and she also didn't appear to be retaining as much as she is now with Bigger. It is a wonderful guide, and I believe it will be a wonderful year filled with character training as well as preparing her to move happily to Preparing.

Anyway, I pray you get some wonderful advice from the other ladies, and that HOD will bless your family as it is blessing mine.

I must agree with the PP. My guys are only 21 months apart, we did LHFHG and BLHFHG combined...looking back I can see now how frustrated my younger DH was in trying to keep up with the skill level of his older brother, and me somewhat comparing (unconsciously though) and frustrated with having to nudge him along. We left HOD for 1 1/2 years (big mistake LOL) and are returning this year. My intention was to once again combine and do Preparing with both. I could NOT get peace with that decision. Just felt that it would be GREAT for my older (5th grader) but once again, while my younger (3rd) could probably do the work, it would once again be a constant challenge to keep him encouraged to finish the work and do it well, while his older brother soldiered it with excellent work. Soooo...I've come to the (happy) conclusion to finally separate them...younger will be doing Bigger while older does Preparing. They both are also excited to have their very own guide, doing their own work. I'm over the moon and really excited that they can show each other their work, ideas, etc. without comparison since they will be working on different things!

So, I say all that to say...I definitely think you should separate your two...let them bloom where they are and HAVE FUN!!!

Thank you Molly and Tiffanieh for your insight. I believe you both are spot on with your assessment. The boys would be comparing and this way they can each have their own learning materials. It has been a journey coming to the conclusion that homeschooling is the best learning environment for our boys. I was just talking with a neighbor that has a boy same age as our oldest. She raved about how happy she was at our Public school. When she asked me how we were liking it, I was honest and said my son has had a terrible year and says he is stupid because he is always the last one to complete the in-class assignments. She was quick to list all the problems she has also had with the teacher saying her son was not paying attention ect. At the end of the day I am the best person to teach my children. I know I will make mistakes and there may be holes in their learning, but I am going to care more and work harder than any teacher to make sure my kids love to learn and feel confident in themselves.

Thanks again for taking the time to post to my question. HOD just feels right to me.

Paula

Hi, it sounds like you have placement all figured out with Bigger and LHFHG! I think you'll love it. I, too, felt that peace from the Lord that HOD is where we are supposed to be. My DD was in PS for kindy, and like you, I was just not happy with it. Friends would rave how great it was & I was miserable. My DD was fine, loved it, but then it was kindy. I just wanted to encourage you that homeschooling after PS is possible and we are LOVING it!!

God Bless,

I just wanted to welcome you to the HOD Board, Paula! The ladies on this board are such a help - you've already received such good advice. Just to double-check - did you look at the placement chart to be sure that each of your dc is placed according to his needs? Teaching multiple guides has been easy for me to do as long as our boys are placed in the right guides, so I just wanted to ask...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Sometimes there is a bit of an adjustment period when dc come home from ps to be homeschooled. Remember to give yourself some grace as your kiddos' teacher - it will take a little time, but then you will find your rhythm and be at a point where you can truly enjoy your days! I am excited for you to begin your journey of homeschooling with HOD - it is such a fulfilling one.

Here is one more link to an awesome thread where moms share their schedules for homeschooling with HOD...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2093

HTH, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you here!
In Christ,
Julie