heartofdakota.com

First of all, I will be using Beyond for my upcoming 2nd grader when we complete MFW 1st grade sometime in the fall. I think she is going to love it. She loves good stories and has made great strides in reading and writing.

We are about to finish MFW Ancient history with my 9th grade son (14), and I am really at a loss as to what to do with him next year. The first half of the year went well when we could work together, but there were some family circumstances that "abridged" our homeschooling this year. Suffice it to say, he read the textbooks and the reading books, but most of the work was done orally(not much writing was done since we stopped MFW when the writing part kicked in). The text he found kind of dry, and the lit selections for the rest of the year(The Illiad and the Odyssey) too difficult, so we have been covering history with Diana Waring Ancients and reading historical fiction books along with translations of the Illiad and Odyssey to finish out the year. We are both enjoying it so much more! He is using the Critical Thinking questions in the History to write a paragraph or so.

My problem is that I really do need something more scheduled than Diana Waring's history. We also need to cover writing in a comprehensive way. Looking at HOD the reading seems so much more interesting and living, which we have found actually sticks!

My actual question is do you have any recommendations as to what year of HOD we could use with him? He reads well, is on level in math and science, and can work well independently. We covered world geography in 8th grade, and he is completing Algebra I and Physical science this year. MFW only goes through Greece, so I don't feel comfortable counting that as a complete World History. We will need to continue World History and complete American history and Gov/Econ for high school.

So, do you think we could use HOD in a way that would accomplish our goals, for this upcoming 10th grade year and beyond? (finish World history, complete American history & Gov/Econ, literature, and really delve into writing) I really don't want to go back to MFW for next year. I like the idea of it, but we are both finding it so dry.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

I would look at the placement chart and see if the World History guide would be a good fit. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-yo ... school.php
If so, you could do WH for 10th, and then the last two American History guides for 11th and 12th (they will include a 1/2 credit in government and a 1/2 credit in economics).

I would add that you may want to start the World History a few weeks early and take it slower so as to get familiar with the content, writing, and other scheduled activities if you decide to start there. Also, what about foreign language? Have you got that covered already? We are moving on to WH next year, and this year in WG has been quite an adjustment , but I am really impressed with the way my ds has taken on the responsibility after realizing it wasn't an option

I was hoping you might think he was ready for World History via HOD (I was really scratching my brain trying to figure out how to make the lower guides work...books look amazing, but I'm not sure I know how to ramp those up being so new to HOD). Looking at the chart, the only sticking point is writing. I do feel comfortable maybe tweaking that if he were to run into a little trouble, adjusting if need be.

He has done that same Health course this year (from the World Geo guide), and we will complete a Logic course (very similar) soon
Thanks for the link to the chart, Stephanie!

And Jennymommy, Foreign language is something I was planning to start next year using Tell Me More Spanish, but looking at the HOD sequence maybe I should start the Getting Started in Spanish now so he could use the next level along with the World History guide. Have to figure that one out It's good to hear that your student stepped up to the plate...'must have had a good teacher

I was trying to find a Biology course that didn't suck the life out of the study of life...I think maybe Carrie just solved that problem for me, too

I am excited at the possibility of HOD...however, I am nervous about ramping up the course load too much and completely overwhelming him. We've never used Rod & Staff English, and the thought of Essentials in Writing Grade 11 is intimidating when that is our weak point.

The good news is that HOD is written to be 4 days a week. If you find that you need more time, you can always use the 5th day. I have seen many parents say that they do this. Also, most family start out at 1/2 speed for a few units. You can do this too. This helps the kids get comfortable in their guide until they are ready to go faster.

You're right, Nealewill...those are very good points! I think I am really at peace with the decision to go forward with HOD World History for the 2015-2016 school year. You all are so welcoming and encouraging here...it's like a warm hug!

Thank you for your time and advice. <3 It really is appreciated!

Just wanted to pop in here really quickly and say that I went ahead and ordered the history/Bible portion of the World History year (will order the rest probably next month, trying not to tax the pocket book all at once ). I am really looking forward to using HOD with both of my kiddos! We're using the rest of our year this year to make sure we have all the bases covered in order to step into the new year with HOD all prepared.

One quick question...we have Apologia Biology on hand already. (used it with my already-graduated son...who detested it) Do you have any advice on whether to dive into Carrie's suggestion of ACE Biology? I'm not very familiar with it.

From my experience, it is much better, easier and happier doing things as Carrie schedules We tried something different for science this year while using the WG guide...it was SO not peaceful. My ds has learned so much better and with greater peace since we switched to Carrie's program

That's quite a wonderful endorsement

I do appreciate it, Jennymommy, so much. Actually, "peace" sounds like such a blessing. I don't really have anyone to bounce homeschool ideas/research off of as my husband is completely hands (and ears) off That's why the support and information and kindheartedness of this message board is priceless to me, especially right now being so new to HOD.

I'm excited for you to begin WH, michiganmama! We are 3/4 of the way through WH, and we have had such a good year. My ds has been able to do the ACE Biology very independently. We have found the paces to be surprisingly narrative. I also really appreciate the DVD component, as it helps ensure that my ds is actually learning to accurately pronounce all of the new biology-related vocabulary he is learning (I cannot be depended upon to pronounce it all exactly right ). I have also really been glad that the answer key is easy to use, and that there is no question if what he is doing is 'enough' for Biology with lab high school credit. We've enjoyed the whole WH guide and found it to be a nice balance of school subjects, with no one subject overtaking the entire day. It is rigorous enough that I feel so good about having all of our bases covered, no matter what our ds may decide to do post high school. I do a weekly check-in with pictures every week on the HOD Weekly Check-In, so you can 'see' more into the WH guide that way if that would be helpful. I am excited for your upcoming year!:D

In Christ,
Julie

It's so good to hear your experience with WH, Julie. I really can't wait to get started!

I was really concerned about Biology, but I think ACE will be an answer to prayer for us. My son is much more interested in Physical Science and has just picked up an electronics kit to tinker with. He REALLY did not want to dissect anything that used to be alive! It's such a good option that he can view the labs. (Mom's going to dissect anyway...I love that stuff! ) We have plans to do the guide as written, continuing on in Videotext Algebra which will push the Geometry to his junior year.

I do have concerns with the grammar, starting the R & S 7 in the middle of the book. I may go back a guide and use the WG plans for Grade 10 Essentials in Writing and R & S 7 from the beginning. We are also not used to the Charlotte Mason style of narrating/written narrations which is going to take some work and trial & error on our part, I'm afraid. Any advice on starting CM style learning with an upcoming 10th grader? There seems to be such a foundation that is usually in place at this point that we just simply do not have. I really do not want to overwhelm him or have frustrations that will get in the way of learning. I've even contemplated going back and doing RTR, Ref to Rev, and MTMM beefed up for him...but I'm not even sure where I'd start in that endeavor!

If I posted all the questions I have running around in my head, I'd have numerous threads going!

I have checked out several weeks that you have posted in the Weekly Check in, Julie, and it's so lovely to see how HOD style learning creates a whole picture. Thank you for posting those, they really are invaluable to someone so new to HOD!

Christine, the narrations are definitely a "good" thing, and a skill to be worked at and attained But do keep in mind the "best" things that you and ds can achieve with God's help in HOD. Peace, and have a fantastic year growing together in knowledge and understanding You don't have to start at the end, just look for steady progress and praise the efforts and growth.

So,, you really CAN use the high school guides even if the child has never used HOD before? and hasn't had those former years to build the "necessary skills" to succeed in the high school guides?

michiganmama wrote:There seems to be such a foundation that is usually in place at this point that we just simply do not have

This is exactly what I've thought,along with other concerns I've had and so have shied away from it. I guess I just thought it wasn't an option for any of my children if we have not had the benefit of having used the previous guides.

Jennymommy wrote:Christine, the narrations are definitely a "good" thing, and a skill to be worked at and attained But do keep in mind the "best" things that you and ds can achieve with God's help in HOD. Peace, and have a fantastic year growing together in knowledge and understanding You don't have to start at the end, just look for steady progress and praise the efforts and growth.

This is very reassuring! I keep looking back at all the wonderful things he could have had if we'd gone with HOD before now...I just need to do with school like I've learned to do with my life. Realize that God's a better planner than I am and look for the blessings and experiences He has in store for us in the coming year. I do pray for wisdom in that I am able to take it step by step with him, growing toward progress rather than perfection. Thank you, Jennymommy, for the encouragement!

kidsforHim wrote:So,, you really CAN use the high school guides even if the child has never used HOD before? and hasn't had those former years to build the "necessary skills" to succeed in the high school guides?

michiganmama wrote:There seems to be such a foundation that is usually in place at this point that we just simply do not have

This is exactly what I've thought,along with other concerns I've had and so have shied away from it. I guess I just thought it wasn't an option for any of my children if we have not had the benefit of having used the previous guides.

I am definitely hoping that this is the case! Are you looking at starting HOD in high school as well, kidsforHim?