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I already have my english (grammar, writing, spelling, vocabulary), math and science bought. I was planning on using SL B+C (condensed world history) for history and bible plus reading and bought most of the books used but don't have the IG yet. I just don't love how many of the books for this core don't line up with the history...it jumps around a lot. Would it work to use HOD Preparing for History and Bible only (and maybe poetry)? What part of the program would that include? I've looked at the week sample but I'd rather see 3 weeks so I could have a better idea how it goes week to week. I should mention this will be our first year home and my son is an older and 4th grader and performs above average in reading, writing and math. Thanks for your help!

Preparing is a great guide! You would still want to check the placement chart, even if you are substituting other english, math, and science, to ensure it is the right placement-the first page of the chart will give you the best idea of whether your child is ready for the level of reading and written work in the history portion. Success in HOD depends on proper placement. Just know that the estimated time per day (about 4 hours a day, 4 days a week)) for Preparing only applies if you are using all of HOD's recommendations for every subject, and your school days will look a lot different in duration and flow using other resources for the other subjects-but you CAN do it that way.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Yes, my son would easily fall into the Preparing set. He is fairly independent and is a confident writer. He hasn't learned cursive yet, but that's only because neither school system we've been in teaches cursive. Thanks for the advice. The only thing I can find a sample for is just a one day or a one week, but neither shows the appendices that is referenced. Is there a place to see that? Is that where the notes are for the unit?

We are doing PHFHG next year too, only for History, Bible, and Poetry( and maybe some art). My kids are taking math, science and English at an academy next year. They love HOD so I thought we'd try to stick with it and see how it goes. My kiddos will be 5th grade next year.

meandmycuties wrote:We are doing PHFHG next year too, only for History, Bible, and Poetry( and maybe some art). My kids are taking math, science and English at an academy next year. They love HOD so I thought we'd try to stick with it and see how it goes. My kiddos will be 5th grade next year.

That sounds exactly like what we'd be using it for. Good to know that you think it would be a good use.

This links you to the table of contents and introduction of preparing, which is excellent to read through before you begin:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-intro.pdf
There are no "notes" for each unit-most everything you need for each day is laid out in the boxes of that two-page daily spread which I love). However, the appendix contains: the extension book schedule and directions (for students over the age/grade range of the guide studying along with a younger sibling), the poems, three levels of dictation, narration tips for parent and student, and daily schedules for 3 levels of singapore math. There is also a reproducible science lab form for those using HOD's science recommendations.
If you want to teach him cursive, you can easily add "Cheerful Cursive" one lesson per day.