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Hello! I am hoping to switch to HOD Resurrection to Reformation in 2027. My twins will be 11 and will have completed the 3 ancients and genesis-acts from SCM. Will this be an easy transition? Are there any gaps that I will need to account for going from SCM to HoD? Does HoD RtR start with Acts in bible history? I hope this all makes sense. Thank you so much in advance!

Hello! Before I found HOD, I did Genesis to Deuteronomy from SCM. I love SCM and enjoy many of their products. I think this will be a very easy transition for you as there are many overlaps. Looking at the next three programs in SCM, they would loosely correspond this way:

Middle Ages, Reformation, Renaissance - Resurrection to Reformation
Early Modern & Epistles - Revival to Revolution
Modern Time, Epistles - Missions to Modern Marvels

RTR does start in Acts. When I look at the first week of plans available on the website, I see that the History Reading in the Redemption books starts with Paul and how he spread the gospel all over the Roman Empire. Then the Research is about Rome because after being jailed in Philippi, Paul sails for Rome.

Even if there is some overlap, HOD teaches in a very different way from HOD. So I always say it's often good to use content that your child is already familiar with as you learn the new skills HOD is teaching.

As far as gaps, I can't speak to that as much - I've never done the Middle Ages program from SCM and it's been a couple of years since I've done Res to Ref. but in comparing booklists, there is some overlap.

Ink on His Fingers - used in Middle Ages and RTR
Adam of the Road - used in Middle Ages and Preparing Hearts Extensions, (younger guide)
Robin Hood - used in Middle Ages and RTR
Leonardo Da Vinci - used in Middle Ages and RTR
Joan of Arc- used in Middle Ages and HOD's World History
Minstrel in the Tower - used in Middle Ages and Preparing Hearts
Leif the Lucky - used in Middle Ages and Preparing Hearts
The Kings Fifth - used in Middle Ages and RTR
Marguerite Makes a Book - used in Middle Ages and Preparing Hearts

Middle Ages uses Famous Men of the Reformation and Renaissance, while HOD uses Famous Men of the Middle Ages.

Hope this helps!
Jaime

This is all really great information! Thank you so much!!

You’re welcome! Let me know if you think of any other question!

Coming back with more questions! My kids are currently working through Logic Of English Essentials. We have never done any Rod and Staff or Writing and Rhetoric. Do you have any suggestions on how to transition into these programs when we begin RTR next January? Can we just jump in with what the guide recommends or should we start with the 1st and 2nd books of W&R? Does Rod and Staff begin with review?

Kira.thomps wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 2:06 pm

Coming back with more questions! My kids are currently working through Logic Of English Essentials. We have never done any Rod and Staff or Writing and Rhetoric. Do you have any suggestions on how to transition into these programs when we begin RTR next January? Can we just jump in with what the guide recommends or should we start with the 1st and 2nd books of W&R? Does Rod and Staff begin with review?

I haven’t used Logic of English Essentials so I won’t be able to compare its levels to Rod and Staff English. I also haven’t used Writing with Rhetoric since Carrie has changed the composition programs for the middle guides since I used them. I can give some ideas though for Rod and Staff placement.

Rod and Staff English is a very thorough and rigorous English grammar program. RTR starts half way through book 4 or book 5 in the schedule, which would be an awkward place to begin. The books are set up for mastery over many years.

I would suggest going to Milestone books web-site and using their placement test for Rod and Staff English. You can still purchase the books as part of your Heart of Dakota package. You will have to email Milestone books for the answer key for their placement test.

Here is the placement test link (The placement test download is a little down from the top).

https://www.milestonebooks.com/list/Bui ... sh_Series/

The series is very advanced. HOD uses book 8 for grades 11 and 12 (half a book each year). So don’t worry if they place in a lower number than their grade level.

The series bears good fruit! It was well worth the time it took as part of our language arts.

Thank you so much for all of your help! I will look into the placement test!