heartofdakota.com

Hi my sweet HOddie Sisters,

I hope everyone had a blessed CHRISTmas and Thanksgiving! I am writing to tell you that I don't know if I will be able to post much in the next several weeks. My computer is being very twitchy and we won't have the budget to replace for about 6-8 more weeks. I pray that it will hang on, but it seems to be getting worse and worse. I have to re-start it 2-3 times just to get it to turn on. (sigh)

I wanted to share my updated HOD plans. With the computer being twitchy we are not going to be able to stay with Time4Learning. I have decided to use my HOD math/lang arts/spelling/dictations/etc..., It was not a good fit for me last year. However, when my computer started to go south, I began pondering why HOD basics didn't work for me last year when I tried them. Well, you know what? I was also teaching FIVE classes at our co-op last year and I am wondering if it was just the schedule that did not give me the freedom to invest the time in the learning curve? I had no problem integrating the LEFT side but couldn't seem to work in the RIGHT. I have taken off this semester from co-op so the next few months will tell if it truly was just a time crunch or if it doesn't fit my teaching style? My prayer is that it works because I already own everything and I like the simplicity of having it all scheduled out from the same author. My boys are working on the RIGHT side of 3 manuels for their basics and combined for the left side in Beyond.

Just incase, I can't come back and ask for prayer. Steve and Teri Maxwell are coming to do a weekend conference for my support group. This is going to be a lot of FUN and I'm excited about having them fill my cup. I'm even making their family dinner. (bless their hearts, LOL) However, If my computer goes we are going to have to work harder to firm up the last minute details. I keep taking this to the Lord, but of all times for the computer to go crazy..., sigh. This is probably the largest event I've ever done. I know that nothing is a surprise to the Lord and He is just waiting for me to have an obedient response, but I keep struggling to take my thoughts captive.

Thank you for sharing your journey and for the constant prayer support,
Mary

BTW, post YOUR revamped plans if you've made some changes;-)

Hi Mary!
Sorry to hear of your computer troubles. Too bad I never did move down. You could have borrowed one of our until you got a replacement. (My hubby is a computer geek who is always tinkering with a spare computer.) I'm also very jealous that your group is have a weekend with the Maxwells. I tried to time our Florida vacation to overlap since we will probably pop over to your neck of the woods (or is that beach?). But of course things did not work out that way, so I'll have to be happy that they have books to read. I hope and pray your conference goes well. My mom always says that you know your doing something big for God when everything seems to be going wrong. And my parents have done some great things for God, so you can imagine all the fighting against Satan that happened in our house.



Our revamped plans continue to change. DD tried the first day of Beyond and while the spelling, reading and math were a fit, we weren't so sure about the history and story readings yet. So we just took Christmas break a few days early. We (DH and I) decided to do reading, writing, math and continue work on her animal notebook for a few weeks then revisit Beyond. When we mentioned the plan to DD, she tells me that she would rather take a break from animals, so we are not exactly sure what we are going to end up doing. Carrie mentioned doing Beyond at half-speed, so we may just give that a try this week. I also found out that we need to have more parent-teacher conferences in our house since DD was doing one level of work with me, but willing to do more advanced stuff with DH. So we are finally on the same page and have moved her ahead in her phonics and math.

Mary, I'm so sorry to hear that your computer isn't working well. (Technology is wonderful...when it works!! ) Things always break down more when you're really needing them - my hubby and his dad can attest to that on the farm, too! The Lord truly has blessed them with patience...or maybe just given them so many opportunities to learn it that they had no choice.

We had a wonderful week back to school this week after Christmas fun with family. It was so refreshing to jump back into a routine and our HOD studies. Ahhh! We're plugging along in Bigger and LHTH. I peeked at the calendar this week and it looks like we'll finish the end of May. I started the year doing HOD 4 days a week and then some extra things that I wanted to do on the 5th day. Towards the end of November, we started adding those things in at the end of our normal days. So, on Mon, Tues, and Fri...we're adding in Nature Journaling, Art, and Composer Study. Wed and Thurs we have violin lessons and our Homeschool Playgroup. We're really enjoying our school time! I guess the other change that I know I mentioned somewhere is that Allison was ready for phonics so we've added that in along with LHTH.

Kathleen

Hi Mary,

Who says we will be replaced by computers? Not yet, right? We are getting back to business tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it and even if they won't admit it I think my children are. Though I will have to detox them from video games. LOL

Every time I think of you I think of Titus 2. You are a testimony to Paul's mandate of spiritual mothering. I will be praying for you as you work through your HOD schedule.



Jeri

MamaMary wrote: Well, you know what? I was also teaching FIVE classes at our co-op last year and I am wondering if it was just the schedule that did not give me the freedom to invest the time in the learning curve? I had no problem integrating the LEFT side but couldn't seem to work in the RIGHT. I have taken off this semester from co-op so the next few months will tell if it truly was just a time crunch or if it doesn't fit my teaching style? My prayer is that it works because I already own everything and I like the simplicity of having it all scheduled out from the same author. My boys are working on the RIGHT side of 3 manuals for their basics and combined for the left side in Beyond.

Mary I don't know how you do it. You are Wonder Woman! I think too many people love you is the problem. Praying for a peaceful break for you. I have found slowing down is a good thing sometimes. Praying your time is blessed!

Sorry to hear your computer isn't working well! Hopefully it will get fixed soon so we won't miss out on your wonderful company for too long!

If your computer breaks and you get desperate, head to your library. That's what we do! We all miss you when you're not on the boards, so I hope your computer hangs on.

Mary,

I'm just getting to this thread now, and I know you are knee-deep in finding out what is going on with Seth right now, but I'm going to respond to this since I have a little time today (and you can read and ponder it later when your life returns to a bit calmer path).

Warning for the rest of the ladies on the board: This suggestion will be more specifically for those who are combining kiddos for the left side of one guide for history while using the right side of several guides to hit separate language arts and math. If you are using 2 or even 3 complete HOD guides, this won't apply as well to you. Then, I'd advise more of a schedule similar to what you see I do with my day (in the previous scheduling thread).

In doing the right side of 3 HOD guides, I have a few things advice-wise that may help. First off, I'm thinking that you'll be doing the right side of LHFHG, BLHFHG, and Bigger Hearts. If I'm off here, please correct me.

When doing the right side of the guides, it would be best to just choose one read-aloud to do with all 3 kiddos. I'd suggest choosing from those in Beyond (to hit their all-over levels a bit better), but you could easily do any book you desire. Then, follow the Storytime plans in Beyond, saving the Storytime plans in Bigger Hearts for next year. That way you'll hit all of the literature study high points at a level all 3 can take something from. We've found that reading aloud at lunch helped my kiddos focus (mouths busy). Then, we'd do the Storytime plan part right at the table. Or, if you eat at the same time as your kiddos, do it right after lunch all together. That way, you have it at a time when there's a natural break in your day. Another workable option is to do the read-aloud before bed at night. Then, just take your guide with you and do the storytime box of the plans right then.

Next, I've found that rather than trying to help everyone all at once with separate things, it works better for me to be able to meet with each child in a 30 minute chunk and get through what they need me to do with them for the right side of the guide in one sitting. The other kiddos can be working part of the time on something independent from the guide, but also may have a short break to prepare lunch, work on the computer, read, or listen to a book on tape, or even have a scheduled educational game time for 2 children to do together while I'm working with the other child or children. They know they are not to bother me, unless absolutely necessary. I have one child's work time before lunch, one child's after lunch, and one child's last thing in the day. You could do it however it best works for you.

So, for example with my LHFHG child, we meet right after lunch. You could do phonics first (15 min.), then the storytime part of the LHFHG plans (which is short and full of good skills) (5-8 min.), then get the lesson taught for the math (10 min.) and the child can continue on with the workbook part of math while you're working with someone else. I give directions for either the Handwriting workbook page or the Do It Carefully/Finding the Answers (whichever is listed in the LHFHG plans) at a different time from this meeting time. We usually do that first in the morning, but you can do it any time. Then, move onto the next child or whatever is next in your day. That covers the right side of your LHFHG plans.

For your Beyond child, the 30 min. meeting consists of 10 minutes of spelling/grammar, 10-15 min. of Emerging Reader's Set, and a 5-10 minute presentation of the math lesson with the assignment to be completed quite independently, while you move onto whatever is next in your day. The Beyond child can do the copywork for Beyond while you're working with the LHFHG child. That covers the right side of your Beyond plans.

The Bigger Hearts child's 30 min. meeting consists of dictation first (5 min.), then English (10-15 min.) mostly orally with one brief assignment on paper, then the Introduction to math (5-10 min.) as needed. This child can finish math while you move on to whatever is next in your day. He can work on cursive writing on his own while you're working with the LHFHG child. I also have my own oldest child prepare lunch while I'm finishing with one of my other kiddos meeting time.

That only leaves the Bigger Hearts child's Drawn into the Heart of Reading (which I like to do in the morning, so I am less likely to skip it). I wouldn't add DITHR to your schedule until you have all 3 meeting times functioning very well. If you don't get to it right away thats o.k. because you'll be covering your kiddos with the literature study in the storytime sessions.

When training your children with these meeting times, it will take time for them to know where to meet and what books to have ready. So plan on the meeting time taking a bit longer in the beginning. I am all about efficiency during these meeting times, so we move from subject to subject quickly, making sure to end with the subject the kiddos can continue on with on their own. A helpful tip is to try to always meet in the same place for the same child. However, this place can be different from child to child. I also have each child stack up the books in the order we will use them with the needed guide on top to get ready for me. This helps them set up their routine and be ready for their meeting with me on time.

Anyway, you get the idea. Even if you don't follow this schedule at all, I just wanted to get you thinking of options.

Blessings,
Carrie

Ok, I loved those tips Carrie! It's perfect timing too. Even though we went to doctor appointments today I started with Colton. He did a really good job with the dictation and R&S english. TOmorrow I will do the 30min meetings with the other two boys. I love all these wonderful idea's.

MamaMary,

Good for you! I'm glad it went well. I've actually found that I really enjoy my private meeting time with each kiddo. It helps me focus on what each one needs from me and also helps us work through things in a timely fashion. I'll be looking forward to hearing how it's going on your trial run.

Blessings,
Carrie

Mamamary- praying for your support group meeting to go well! I think w2w is right, too many of us love you! Take care of yourself too though - o.k.? I love the 30 minute meeting time ideas, and have been doing something pretty close to that now that my middle son started Beyond. It does work well, and I can see how I will grow to really love that concept even more when I add my third little bunny to the mix of schooling. You ladies with 4 (or more) children - I am in constant awe of you!!!

In Christ,
Julie