heartofdakota.com

Hi guys! I got my HOD catalog yesterday and have already fallen in love with the IDEA of HOD. However, my kids (twins) will be entering 9th grade in the fall, and so I'm struggling with where to place them.

This is my 3rd year homeschooling the twins, but I have homeschooling my learned-disabled daughter for over 6 years now.

We used Sonlight in 6th grade, Mystery of History volume I in 7th grade, and just finished Mystery of History volume II (Middle Ages). We would like to continue that chronological approach, if possible. We have used BJU and Christian Liberty for literature study as well as carefully chosen quality books to read in addition. Writing: we've used IEW and creative programs both. Grammar: Winston and Easy Grammar. Science: Abeka and Apologia.

I also have a soon-to-be 10th grader as well, but she has special needs, so I modify all curriculum to meet her needs and will not need help placing her.

If we were to use HOD from 9th thru 12th grade, should we start with one of the high school options and work our way through? The downside, to me, is that it doesn't continue our slow walk through history which I love so much.

If you are experienced with HOD, I covet your educated opinion and advice.

Thank you!

I would start with the placement chart and see where your twins place. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

For some families, jumping into the high school level can be very difficult because HOD has a very different format than many other programs. There are actually several different families who modify the level Rev to Rev and MTMM to make them high school worthy. If your twins place lower then the WG guide, I would look at modifying both of these levels to make them high school worthy. Then you can complete the WG guide and the WH guide for 11th and 12th grade. You would skip the final two guides. But you may like the flow more using these two guides instead. Here is a link that talks about modifying the guides. There are a lot of topics on here about beefing up every guide. But the high school guides are listed in there as well as others. It is very interesting and very helpful. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6571

Also - with HOD completing their 3rd high school guide this year, you can see even more of the resources they plan to use. The above link does talk about how to add in things like Econ and Finance. But I would look and see what the graduation requirements are for your state before you determine fully how you plan to modify. Many states require foreign language. Spanish is included the high school guides. So you may need to purchase the Spanish. But with something like math - you would just keep your current math program or you could switch the recommended resources with HOD. I do think modifying these lower guides would be fairly easy to do though and I do think you may enjoy that path.

After you had a chance to look at placement, where do you feel like your kids best place at?

Welcome to the HOD Board! Great advice from Daneale! After you have a chance to check out the placement chart, can you share your thoughts here? That helps so much as you know your dc best! I look forward to hearing more about your kiddos! On a side note, our dc have loved using HOD through the years. Even my high school student still loves books, and it is due to HOD's outstanding book selection! We don't find the pace to be too quick, but rather just right for each of their different ages. Proper placement ensures this, which is why it is wonderful we will get to talk about this with you when you get the chance!

In Christ,
Julie