heartofdakota.com

Hi,

I am a brand new homeschooler starting out with a 7th Grader. I have decided that HOD is my curriculum of choice but I do not know where to start him out at. If I go by age (he’s almost 13) or start at the beginning of history with Creation to Christ. My concern at starting him with Creation to Christ is where that will leave us in the years ahead. Will I need to cram 4 books into 2 years so he's ready to move on to High School work? Or do you suggest I start with Revival to Revolution so he’s in his right age bracket? I would be so grateful if you wouldn’t mind giving me some feedback. Thanks a lot!

Stephanie

Hi!

I would look at the placement chart and base your decision mostly on that. There are so many wonderful things to learn in each guide (not just history). I have seen how my boys have benefited from each area of the guide. So placing your dc in the guide that best fits his skills will give him the best opportunity for growth.

Having said that, if you really want to do a particular time period you can do the extensions for older students and any other material that you find might be benifitial. My 10yr old ds is doing CTC and is reading the extension books for fun reading, and having a great year. I think you might look at Rev to Rev or MTMM (the new guide) as they are for older students. My 12yr ds is doing Rev to Rev and really enjoying it. Of course all children are different and at different skill levels, so looking at the placement chart will really help you in your decision.

Keep in mind that Carrie is planning a world history highschool guide, so the student will revisit all portions of history again.

I would love to hear what you choose!!

HTH!

Kristen

Also, don't worry about "cramming in" several guides in order to get to the planned high school guides. All the guides have extensions to make them suitable for older children-for instance, CTC is recommended for ages 9 through 11 as written, and for ages 12 and 13 (or 6th and 7th grades) with extensions. The most important thing to do is start your student wherever he places skill-wise on the chart, regardless of age, and then simply progress though the guides at a pace of one guide per year. Some moms on here have older children using the "middle school" guides right now for high schoolers by using extensions and making some other additions (see the thread on beefing up HOD guides). So, just take a look at the chart,a nd if you come back and share with us, we will be happy to be your sounding board for placement. Here is a link to the chart:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Thank you both for your input. I really appreciate it. After really going over the placement chart I am going to go ahead and start with Creation to Christ. I just do not think he is ready for anything higher. I am excited to start! Thanks again for your help.

You are going to love Creation to Christ! It is packed full of great Old Testament truths. There are so many great assignments that I would never have come up with on my own. We have really enjoyed the prophecy pages where the student looks up an Old Testament prophecy and then looks up the fulfillment in the new testament. It really shows us how God keeps his promises! The crafts have been great too!

Hope you have a great year!!

Kristen

We are loving Creation to Christ here-my dd is 12, about to turn 13 and it is working out very well for her. Just as a testimony about the resources used: we are about halfway through the guide, so I was considering selling some of the books she has finished so far for a few extra dollars-well, when I asked her if she wanted to keep any (expecting her to perhaps want some of the storytime or extension books), she wanted to keep them ALL, including the Story of the Ancient World and Exploring Creation Through Biology 3-I guess I will have to find some other stuff to sell

Great advice from the ladies! CTC is such a great guide - so much growth not only academically, but spiritually - lots of heart matters there! Enjoy, and welcome to the HOD Board!!!

In Christ,
Julie