heartofdakota.com

I just wanted to thank all of you for your input on an earlier thread about the formatting for "Preparing Hearts...". We've decided to go with formatting very similar to "Bigger Hearts..." with a day on each two-page spread. We will keep the left side "Learning Through History" and the right side "Learning the Basics" to allow for easier substitutions in the areas of language arts and math (if people desire to substitute).

We are keeping the format similar in order to give moms a feeling of familiarity, so that once you're used to our guides you can figure them out easily from year to year. We will mark each box in the plans as Teacher-Directed, Semi-Independent, or Independent, so you can see how to move your child to more independent work.

This formatting means there will be very little reproducing of pages required, and the kiddos will read their directions right from your plan book. This will cut the cost of you having to purchase a set of reproducibles and also make it easy for everyone to stay on the same day.

After all of the discussion on our board about plans, I was reminded that the week-at-a-glance encouraged moms to move things around throughout the week (which can be nice, except it also loses the balance of writing/reading/narrating of the original plan). I know I was guilty of that when using a week-at-a-glance program.

A week-at-a-glance can also make you feel pressure to complete the week within the week, rather than just picking up the guide from where you left off the day before. We were also reminded that we wouldn't be able to give you all of the lesson details and key ideas right in each box with a week-at-a-glance format. Instead, you would have to be flipping pages to find instructions, which we do want to avoid.

So, there's the long and short of it. You reminded us of some wonderful points to consider and ponder, and I know God placed each of you in my life to help us be able to serve you better.

So, thanks again for all of the feedback, it is much appreciated!

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie,

I know my kiddos and I have a long way to go before reaching "Preparing Hearts" but, so glad to hear about the formatting and knowing that your decisions are very well thought out. We really look forward to it, and it sounds like it is going to be wonderful the way you are presenting it. Congratulations on a final decision with "Preparing Hearts!"

Thanks for taking the time to share your final decision with us. It sounds like it is going to be a wonderful program and I look forward to using it in a few years.

Gina

Carrie wrote:We will mark each box in the plans as Teacher-Directed, Semi-Independent, or Independent, so you can see how to move your child to more independent work.

That sounds awesome and very large family friendly. That will be very helpful I think! Plus it just seems like it would give you a lot of flexibility of working with your child for how they are as an individual. I am very excited about that plan!

Also want to say that all the problems you described with week at a glance I am guilty of so I completely agree. It's true for me at least, on all counts.

Can't wait to see it!

It sounds great! I can't wait until it is ready to ship out and we can get started!!!

Congratulations on wrapping up another Great product!!!!

We were also reminded that we wouldn't be able to give you all of the lesson details and key ideas right in each box with a week-at-a-glance format. Instead, you would have to be flipping pages to find instructions, which we do want to avoid


I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand (surprise, suprise - please forgive this newby with a million questions). Are you stating one of the cons of the one page format, which you have decided to keep? Is one of the cons that you won't fit lesson details in each box? Will there be any other instructions other than what is in each box? I was going to post a question about this for Bigger Hearts. I looked at the sample, and was wondering if the whole book was set up as the week at a glance format, or if there are any supplementary instructions outside of that.

Also, regarding the extension packs for older students, are those books scheduled anywhere within the schedule, or do you fit them in as you see fit; I'm particularly referring to the Short Lessons in World History. Do you use your judgment in corresponding it with other history readings, or is there a shedule anywhere for it?

Thanks so much.Sorry for all the questions.
In Him,
lisa

Momofsix wrote:We were also reminded that we wouldn't be able to give you all of the lesson details and key ideas right in each box with a week-at-a-glance format. Instead, you would have to be flipping pages to find instructions, which we do want to avoid


I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand (surprise, suprise - please forgive this newby with a million questions). Are you stating one of the cons of the one page format, which you have decided to keep? Is one of the cons that you won't fit lesson details in each box? Will there be any other instructions other than what is in each box? I was going to post a question about this for Bigger Hearts. I looked at the sample, and was wondering if the whole book was set up as the week at a glance format, or if there are any supplementary instructions outside of that.

Also, regarding the extension packs for older students, are those books scheduled anywhere within the schedule, or do you fit them in as you see fit; I'm particularly referring to the Short Lessons in World History. Do you use your judgment in corresponding it with other history readings, or is there a shedule anywhere for it?

Thanks so much.Sorry for all the questions.
In Him,
lisa

Hi Lisa,
Carrie was pointing out the cons to doing a WEEK at a glance instead of the DAY at a glance format that all of her other programs use.

A few weeks ago she asked us for feedback on whether we would like to see her programs for the older kids continue with the 2 page per DAY spread or we wanted to move to a 2 page per WEEK spread. You can read the thread on it here:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=170

There is more detail in the Daily plans which is one reason we moms like it.

Does this answer your questions?

Thanks ladies for the feedback. Now that the formatting is decided, I can get on with the rest of the writing and plug it into the format.

As to your questions, Lisa, so sorry if my description was confusing. LeeAnn did a great job of answering your questions. I'll also add that the plans for "Bigger..." are set up to show you a day on each two-page spread. The formatting of "Preparing..." will be the same (one day on each two-page spread). The Appendix does have some additional schedules, poems, dictation passages, etc. but you teach from the daily schedule shown on each two-page spread.

The Extension Package is all scheduled out for your child in the Appendix with daily assignments and page numbers given, so you don't have to figure that out on your own. It is designed so your older kiddo can just do the next thing on the list (for the Exension Package).

I hope that helps clear things up a little.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie,

The formatting sounds great. I received my copies of LHFHG, and Bigger last Friday, and drooled over them all weekend, LOL (How am I going to wait until August?? )!!

I have to tell you that the formatting really impressed me. It just seems so simple to follow, it's easy on the eyes, and for the first time, I won't be recopying everthing into another plan book!! I am glad to hear that you are sticking with this format for Preparing Hearts.

I am also glad that the sections will be labeled with what activities should be done independently, etc. That way, if/when ds complains, I can just say, "See, Mrs. Austin says you need to do it on your own!" )

LOVE IT!!

My response Yippie!!!!!!

I'm a ol' stick in the mud I'm glad it will be just like it always has been .

We have quite a ways to go before we get there too - but I have to say that it sounds wonderful. I love the way the lessons are layed out in Little Hands and I'm glad to see it continues. So easy...

Carrie, thank you so much for making it clear. The format sounds wonderful, so simple to follow! I'm also thrilled that the extension pack is planned out. Now I feel like I can truly meet both dc's needs with it.

I CAN'T WAIT TO START!!

In Him,
lisa

POndering it again...sounds great! I can work with it-I look forward to using Preparing next year