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I have narrowed our curriculum choice down to HOD or Paths of Exploration (Trail Guide to Leaning) - which is based on Ruth Beechick's philosophy. Can anyone give me some guidance as I try to make this decision? I am only homeschooling my 9 yr dd (the youngest of 4) - currently finishing up 3rd grade. Some of my questions are about:

#1. the history progression difference - POE takes 3 years to cover American History (6 units a year, each unit taking 6 weeks to complete). Future plans are for 3 years of World History after that, then 3 years covering Modern American, Modern World History, and Government and Economics. So, I am trying to compare that to HOD beginning with BHFHG doing a 1 year overview of American, then PHFHG doing 1 year overview of World History, then beginning w/CtC going back through everything more thoroughly. ???? I can see where younger children might enjoy a slower approach, but then it appears that it is only covered during those 3 years; HOD seems to revisit everything as they get a bit older, which seems like a really good idea - ??

#2. I have always like the idea of integrating everything, which POE does. Everything ties together, even the spelling and language arts, although they do follow the later grammar philosophy. (After reading posts on that, esp. the one Carrie wrote, I understand the benefit of beginning grammar earlier). I am not experienced enough as a homeschool mom to know whether integrating everything is better or not - it does appear that beginning with PHFHG there is more integration - is this correct?

#3. although POE is biblically based, it doesn't appear that it is woven throughout. There is a separate bible/devotion CD that can be purchased. I also read several threads from secular homeschool moms trying to decide if it had too many references to God in it for them to use. The consensus seemed to be that it didn't, so they felt better about using it.
** I REALLY desire a curriculum that shows God's hand throughout history - I love Truthquest History's points of: God initiates, then man responds....and what man has believed and how he has responded to God throughout history. I haven't used Truthquest, but loved the approach when I read about it. Carrie, do you do some of this throughout HOD?

BTW - POE is laid out for you and ready to go also, like HOD is.

I really would like to find something to stick with for the long haul - it seems continuity and flow would be beneficial. I also need something to inspire a love for learning - my dd really does not like "school" at all. I try to call it "lessons" instead of school, but I don't think that works!! She has only been home for 2nd and 3rd, and I feel it has been a very lazy 2 years - we mostly end up focusing on reading/spelling/phonics and math, so we need a bit more substance now.

Thank you for your patience in reading all of this!

Joy in Him,

Kelly

I haven't used or even looked into POE, but I can share my experiences with HOD. We started with LHFHG almost 6 years ago and we're just finishing up CTC, and it has been a fabulous journey! It took me several years to really trust that HOD had everything we needed academically, but as it as unfolded over the years, I have been so impressed with everything and my children have really excelled. I'll try to answer each of your questions.

1. I love the way the progression of history is planned. I was unsure at first about two years of American History with Beyond and Bigger, but it was fabulous looking at history from two different perspectives and it didn't feel repetitive at all. My dc loved learning more about American History at that age and learning more about the people who lived in that time. Bigger is still one of my very favorite guides. I was really apprehensive about CTC this year since it felt like we had covered so much of ancient history last year in Preparing, but again, it has been wonderful. The approach has been fresh and my dc have been able to dig deeper into the time period. Preparing gave them a wonderful overview of world history though out time and this year in CTC, we started going back through history and digging deeper. As they have studied the ancient times again they have made connections with things that they learned before and become even more more familiar with the times. They are at a maturity level now too that they were able to understand the perspective of other people who didn't worship the true God and had false gods. I am sure as we continue to move into the next time periods that they will continue to make connections with the things that they have studied in the past and be able to think more deeply about them. I've heard it said that the overview just gives them pegs to hang the information on and later when they study more in depth, they fill in the gaps and understand the flow that much better.

2. HOD really integrates everything through out the day. The only thing that doesn't really follow along is math and perhaps grammar. Even poetry and science loosely follow the flow of the history. We have always felt that everything connected really well.

3. You can't get any better than HOD in having everything point back to God. This is not a curriculum that someone who is looking for a secular curriculum could be happy about. Everything points back to God. I get teary eyed just thinking about how wonderful HOD is in this department. My highest calling as a mother is leading/discipling my children to be followers of Jesus Christ, and besides the Bible itself, I have found no better tool than HOD to do that. My children have learned so much about the Bible and biblical history but even more so than that they have been lead to Jesus time and time again for heart issues through this curriculum. They are learning to use good, sound biblical discernment in their studies and their everyday lives. The discussions that we have had through our days studying with this curriculum have been priceless.

As far as love for learning, my dc have really found that too in HOD. They really enjoy everything they are learning and often want to dig a little deeper. They have learned how to pursue something they want to learn more about and find it for themselves. I love how HOD is creating not only children who love to learn but also children who know how to learn. The level of independence in learning that my dc continue to acquire amazes me. I see them learning and maturing before my eyes developing better reasoning and research skills. I am so thankful for the way that HOD plans for things over the years so that my dc gain that independence. Left to my own devices, I probably would have continued to spoon feed them and not taught them how to learn for themselves. My dc are becoming deep thinkers who use sound biblical judgement all while being academically rounded. This is what HOD is doing for us. I couldn't ask for anything more!

I have to agree with Patty on the Bible part of HOD. That was probably what drew me the most to this curriculum 3 years ago. I took a step away from HOD a few months ago. My daughter is doing a special reading program for dyslexia, so I opted to take some time focusing on reading and math, and adding my own character/Bible, and some light science and history. When I look back on it now, I wish I would have just kept going in Bigger, even if we could only do the Bible, history and science portions. Although I have some things planned out already for this coming year, I know I want to come back to HOD. I am hoping after a year+ doing the reading program(which also covers spelling, writing, vocabulary, and grammar), my daughter will be able to utilize more of the guide. I really appreciate Carrie's book choices and look forward to going into Preparing in another year. I haven't used POE, but from what I saw online, it looks like you are right about the Bible. It does not look like it is really integrated into the curriculum. When I was reading the description, Bible did not seem to be included in the core. At least there wasn't really mention of it. If that part is important to you, then I think HOD would be the way to go. IMO

Patti and Pam,

I just wanted to tell you that I've decided on Heart of Dakota!! and I'm so excited!!

Thank you so much for your responses!! - I appreciate it so much!!

Pam, thank you for what you said - and for looking up what I had mentioned and confirming what I thought about God's hand not really being specifically integrated into the other curriculum that much.

Patti, I really liked what you said here: "I've heard it said that the overview just gives them pegs to hang the information on and later when they study more in depth, they fill in the gaps and understand the flow that much better." That really helped me w/the questions I had about history!

When I read what you said about not getting any better than HOD for pointing every thing back to God, I just felt moved. So, I continued to read more on the forum - many of the topics of why HOD chooses what they do.....I spent a lot of time last night and this morning reading threads, thinking about the 2 responses to my questions, and thinking about what a friend of mine has said about her experience with and how she chose HOD. My mind was leaning in that direction, but then this morning after reading, I felt overcome... with this knowing in my heart, that this is it! - this is what my dd and I need!!

I feel so much peace and joy!! I have prayed about this and just want to thank our good and mighty King for working to show me (through specific threads, and the responses of others) the "heart" of HOD!!

I so look forward to ordering in the next few months and looking over everything in anticipation of beginning BHFHG!

Joy,

Kelly

Kelly,
I understand exactly how you feel about having peace about your decision. 3 years ago, I was in the same situation. I knew certain curricula would not work with my daughter, but I knew she needed to be homeschooled. After finding HOD, I had no desire to look at anything else. I had that peace. In my frustration this year, I made the impulsive decision to 'stray'. Although it has brought some positive results in dealing with my daughter's struggles, it also has brought again to the forefront of my thinking..... HOD is 'one of a kind'. I am content to stick to my decision about this next school year, but I DO look forward to coming back to HOD. Lord willing, that will prove to be a fresh start for both of us.

Welcome aboard!

Kelly, I am so happy for you that you have found peace and joy in your decision. It's amazing how God leads us to what we need when we need it. I look forward to seeing you hear and sharing your journey with HOD!

I only skimmed the posts, but Wanted to chime in...

We used POE our first homeschool year for 1st and 3rd grades. There was nothing wring with it, and we all liked working together on the same things. The kids notebooks were impressive at the end of the year. But I just felt like my youngest was just along for the ride. Like It was leaving out foundational things we hadn't had the chance to cover. The topics were great, the text and layouts were user friendly, and the available supplements were wonderful! But the rest of the guides were not written, and I couldn't see where it was going, or figure out why we should be doing 3 years of american history. I will say that POE was a great, gentle intro to homeschool coming out of 3 years of Public school for our oldest.

I had wanted to use HOD since year one, but we just couldn't afford two guides that first year. We didn't even finish all of POE. We stopped a unit short. we bought Bigger and preparing, and never looked back. We have had the best year! It just fills you up! Now I know that everyone is getting the LA and math that they each needed. I am so glad we came back to where our hearts had been leading us. My oldest is going into CTC this year, and even HE is excited for highschool lol. I cannot say enough positive wonderful things about HOD.

In my opinion, HOD is the curriculum I wanted to build in my head. It's bits and pieces of every awesome curriculum I ever came across and really got excited about using with my kids. And then, after I built this awesome sauce curriculum, I hired a creative genius to write my lesson plans for me. Honestly, some days I feel downright spoiled using it! Carrie has thought of absolutely everything.

Just what I needed to hear!! Love that last paragraph! Thank you for "chiming in" and giving further confirmation that I am making such a fabulous choice doing HOD!

Kelly

Hi Kelly, I just wanted to welcome you to the HOD Board, and say I am so excited for you to begin your homeschooling journey with HOD! We have now used HOD for 10 years. It has been an incredible blessing. As we enter into high school, I have a peace I never thought I'd have. I was worried about high school from the start, but the Lord has removed that worry from me by providing HOD for high school. I am actually excited looking ahead, rather than heavy-laden - God is soooooo good! HOD is such an academically sound way to homeschool, but equally important to me is the Biblical, Christ-centered focus of HOD. It is woven into everything. I am so close with even my teenager ds thanks to HOD's Biblical focus through the years! It is a very special way to homeschool, and one that I cherish. Have a wonderful year, and be sure to share your box day with us here if you get the chance! Here is a fun link you may enjoy reading...

Why do you “heart” HOD?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8268&p=60839#p60839


In Christ,
Julie