Question re: older students using HOD...

[horsinaround]

I have researched HOD quite a bit and very much considered it for this year but went with something else. Mostly because my children were in the upper limits of the programs. But again I am finding myself drawn to HOD. Especially after seeing the books for CTC. WOW! But anyway my concern is my kids will be in 6th and 7th grade next year. Though the will be 6th grader is working on one grade level below his actual grade level. Anyway, my concern is will it be enough with the add-on and will all the following guides have add-ons as well for older students? Such as for the 8th grade year will it have add-ons for 9th and 10th graders? I really want to try HOD but am concerned at starting with a 6th and 7th grader.

Opinions please?

Thanks!

[Mom2Monkeys]

Welcome to HOD! I do know that each guide will have extension packs right up to the last one for 8th grade. I think the 8th grade year will have extensions for 9th and possibly 9th/10th. And as long as your kids are within the given grades for the extension pack, I can assure you it is enough! If they are a grade ahead, generally you can still just add a little more to make it work (and Carrie could help with that). HOD is so full, complete, fun, balanced...it's just perfect in my opinion! I'm sure someone else can give you a more detailed response but I just wanted to chime in with the first tidbit of info.

[MainelyJen]

Oh, how I wish I could put the teacher's guide in your hands for a couple hours! I think then you would be able to see how a program like this can span ages/grade levels. Because it is based on ability and not an arbitrary grade level, I really think that either preparing or "Hearts for Him" would be suitable. I'm so pleased with the content of Preparing, and feel that my 12yos needs the skills being worked on in that level. I think that if you were able to sit and read the guide then you would be informed enough to make a decision based on your knowledge of your own kids.

That's what I decided to do - I ordered just the Preparing guide and read the whole thing. But I was only on week three or so of reading the plans when I knew this was the program for us!

I just love that Carrie took the time to schedule out the extension pack readings for us. Instead of being just a list of books, the daily reading is scheduled in the Appendix. So helpful for those of us who are adding in those readings. A small thing, but one less thing for a busy homeschool mom to have to do!

[Carrie]

Linda,

I can understand what you're saying, and I know it is difficult to make a switch when you feel your kiddos are on the upper range of our programs. The Creation to Christ guide will be very rich in the history/Bible/geography/independent history category. I definitely feel it will be enough in those areas, so you wouldn't need to supplement beyond the Extension Package for the left side of the plans.

I also think the poetry, read alouds, Drawn into the Heart of Reading, and possibly the Rod and Staff English would be enough (depending on what level of grammar instruction your kiddos have had so far). The Write with the Best Vol. I should also be enough for both kiddos.

Math would most likely need to be adjusted up to meet your kiddos needs. Science is the one other area that you may wish to supplement, or to use your own science, depending on whether you are more of a CM-style science family for science or whether you are looking for a more rigorous science experience.

Blessings,
Carrie

[horsinaround]

Thankyou so much everyone! I am feeling so much better about going with HOD. The funny thing is I am really not a worrier. I am a very relaxed homeschooler. I think my biggest fear was it just being too juvenile for their ages more so than them not learning. I was sure they would learn but I was afraid they would find some of the activities and such silly to too young. I am feeling much more confident now.

Thanks!

[deltagal]

[quote="Carrie depending on whether you are more of a CM-style science family for science or whether you are looking for a more rigorous science experience.

[/quote]


Carrie or someone else,

Say more about this "CM-style science" so I can understand the difference.

Thanks a bunch!

[water2wine]

Welcome to HOD! I completely understand what you are saying. I was also in your spot. I am so glad that we went ahead and did it. We needed more American and I was concerned with using Bigger for a 6th grader. It has turned out to be perfect for us. It was the best decision that we have made hsing. I just wanted to say that I have many of the resources that will be in the Ancients program and I can tell you that I would have no problem putting a 7th or 8th grader in the program. If I had a 9th grader in there I think I would definitely make it work for them. Carrie is wonderful about helping you meet your families specific needs. I have a child who is ahead of herself and on the upper limits of the program and one that is special needs on the upper limits of the program, both have been accommodated very well and all my questions are always thoroughly answered. You get so much more than just a guide book with HOD. They really care about the families and deal with the business as a ministry and it shows.

I really want to encourage you to give it a try. I wish I had done it the first time I had the itch to use HOD. I waited because of concerns with fitting my children in that were older and I wish now that they had always had HOD. You will love it. We have found that HOD has really taught them how to learn and has helped them to really understand and apply the Word of God to their lives daily. We are constantly getting complements from others on their knowledge of the Word and application of God's Word to every day life. I know HOD is in large part to thank for that. Not to mention that they really understand history and have a love for learning it in a way that I never could have given them on my own.

I also want to say that we are science lovers. We do sometimes add to HOD science BUT we never skip it. Carrie does such a wonderful job with the science and the CM style of learning science really teaches them how to think scientifically. I think we would be fine with just HOD science. I add to it usually because I am inspired by it and pull something else out or I had in my mind I wanted to use up a book on the shelf this year. But my dh and I both have science backgrounds so our kids read science books for fun. If you do decide to add for the older kids I really want to encourage you to add with doing HOD science as well in mind. You don't want to skip it.

Praying for peace in your decision. HOD has been our best choice ever in hsing. Praying ti will be the same for you!