lthommail wrote:I'm terrible with message boards so this is very new to me! I'm also new to HOD. My situation in the fall will be I have an upcoming 1st grader that can't read that great and an upcoming 2nd grader who is very independent so I think I'll be putting them in two different guides. My biggest question is my upcoming 8th grader. She has an extensive writing background but never learned cursive (formally). She will be taking a few classes at a local co-op (science, writing/literature/art) so I need to give her history/Bible/grammar. I was looking at the Creation to Christ despite it being below her age level a bit and getting the extensions but I'm not sure how she will do with not knowing cursive. What could I get for her to learn cursive but not feel like she's doing "baby work"...? Any ideas?
I have a million more questions I think...but for now, this is all.
Hi lthommail, and welcome to the HOD Board!
You have come to a great place for help - this board is full of encouraging, Christian ladies with a heart to help one another!
The best place to start is the placement chart, which is at this link...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
If you could please look at the first page of the placement chart, and share about each of your dc (like their reading, writing, math, and grammar and where they seem to place best) - that would be oh so helpful to us! We then can help you find your very best placement, which really equals out to you having a wonderful school year!
In regard to your dd's cursive, I'd not factor that into her placement as much. Honestly, if dd is good at writing, I'd not let the cursive hold her back. Cursive can be taught relatively quickly, and by the time dc are in upper middle school/high school, they usually have a natural affinity for either print or cursive, and at that time, they write in their preferred mode. I'd probably just do "Italic B" with dd, as it looks quite similar to print, and also looks quite grown up, and I'd let her know it is so she can have 1 year of cursive and a little practice in it - primarily so she can see which she prefers to write in most, so she can sign her name in cursive, and mainly so she can READ other people's cursive.
HTH, and I'll gladly check back to see anything you've shared about your dc's placement after checking out the placement chart! Just remember, placement may take a little bit of time, but we all will chime in to help, and then the reward is you having a great school year all year long! SOOOOOOO worth the time.
Looking forward to getting to know ya here!
In Christ,
Julie