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Hi ladies. I’m asking a question for a friend of mine because I’m not sure of the answer. I just couldn't find the answer on the board (though I didn't have much time to search

Is it possible to use only the economy packages all the way through HOD, never getting the basic/deluxe packages?

(which would mean, for Preparing as an example, the student wouldn’t do independent history nor would there be any history read-alouds/storytime??)

Thanks so much!

In Preparing you wouldn't want to leave out the deluxe package because that is where many of the independent skills are learned. CTC on up don't have deluxe packages, but they do have other things that you wouldn't want to leave out. As far as leaving out the Basic package you can, but I sure would try and get as many of the books as I could from the library. They really add to the understanding of the history. They have made a huge difference in what my ds remembers about the events and time periods.

Your question really confuses me, because as you go up in the guides there are SO many subjects and options that are not in the economy packages.

So if the question is: can I go all the way up through HOD buying just the economy package and use that for my complete school package? Umm... no. Absolutely not. You're not covering math, English, Science, Writing, etc.

If your question is: can I not buy the Basic or Deluxe packages and use just the economy package for my history study? MY answer is: maybe but you would be missing a lot. And I am not sure how the other programs going on up are structured, there are so many packages and each one has a purpose for something those older and more mature kids need. I definitely don't think it would be a well-rounded education unless you were adding in a lot of your own stuff somewhere.

Thanks, that second part was what I meant...sorry to confuse you. She wanted to know if you could just do the economy packages for history. I wasn't sure for older guides...haven't looked at them much. I appreciate your answer...sounds like those basic/deluxe packages for history are really important.

I think they do add a lot of good content. If you are the kind of person who can look things up yourself, or really utilize your library and inter-library loan, then you could supplement, probably at least through Preparing, and make it work. Part of what is so wonderful about the HOD guides is the amount of work it saves you, so in economizing (as always) you definitely lose some of the ease of use and thought through preparation that makes HOD so great.

But the core history spines, plus the hands-on activities (which don't require a lot of expensive materials), Bible study which often goes with it, poetry, etc is still very rich and would be a good history study. Far richer than textbooks. So if money is really tight, they should still give it a try!

Oh, thanks, that's good to know. I don't think money will always be tight, and she may be able to add on a little at a time.

Yes, I agree with the others. I think that if you cut out too much of the program, you lose the flavor of it. I chose HOD because of how complete and comprehensive it is. I know some times people use a different math or a different subject here and there. That isn't completely changing the program IMHO. But if you are constantly changing things large amounts of things or leaving skipping activities, to me that takes away from the entire learning experience. I think the only thing I could safely say could be "skipped" would be the read-alouds. Don't get me wrong, we ADORE them. But if push came to shove and I really couldn't afford to buy everything, that would be the first place I would make cuts. And I think Preparing is really the only level that has the "Basic" package and the "Deluxe" package in addition to the "Economy" package. To me the Economy package is the spine of the program. So in this portion, the parent is reading the history out loud. But the Deluxe package is where the kids beginning learning on their own. If we had skipped that, I don't think my dd would have been ready to complete CTC so independently. Now, if you have a voracious reader, you may be able to skip that package and supplement. My kids don't really like to read but they like the books that HOD has picked out. So for me, I wouldn't have been able to supplement because my library doesn't carry all of the titles and the books I would have picked out would have probably been too long and too hard. The books HOD recommends are perfectly balanced and my kids have really enjoyed them. Also - with DITHOR, you can easily use the library to borrow the books instead of buying them. Those two areas would help save some money.

And if money is really tight, HOD does do payment plans. So that may also be an option that might help.

Oh, thanks. I'll pass that on! And it's good for me to know about the payment plan too. We're only in beyond, but I know it gets more expensive as they get older. I agree though, I love everything about the program so far...and so nice to have it all set up for me!