New here and so many questions

[mom23dc]

Hi all:

I have a daughter who will be 11 years old in September. I believe that I have decided to use HOD. (After so much research). We are coming from a complete workbook curriculum. We have not really done any formal history AT ALL. Except for a little bit of American(Pilgrims, Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Christopher Columbus Etc........).

My daughter has complaines she has been "bored" and wants school to be more "fun". She is an above average reader. Loves to read, and also loves crafts, painting, drawing, and hands on things. She also loves fiction books.

I am a mom who needs something completely laid out, come in a box, open and go. Not a LM that is choppy. I need some hand holding.

Science that is FUN, with hands on activities. But, I do not want to be searching the house for materials, nor do I want suggestions such as "Buy some material and make a costume", or "Get a refridgerator box and build a castle" type stuff. Simple, but engaging.

We already own DITTHOR. TM and the upper level Student W/B. I think it is Grades 6/7/8????? Never used it though. I have it sitting here brand new as I did not know how to implement it.

We also use CLE LA and Math.

So, I have no idea whcih program to start with. Preparing might be to young. But I like that it is an overview of World History(which is what we are missing). Or, start with the new Creation program.

I also have NO idea HOW to order. IOW, WHAT do I order?? I looked at the store, and I see a basic package, then a girl package, then a boy package, then a History package?????????????!!!!?????????

Any readers that are typical to the library, I can get myself. But hard to find items, I would rather just order it from HOD.

So which program should I choose?

And, for any of you who have used either WP, or MFW, what made you come over to HOD???

Thank you

Cindy

[Mom2Monkeys]

Welcome! You just pretty much explained HOD when you let us know what you are looking for so you're in the right place! You are going to love it!

I personally would start with Preparing and use the older student options since she is just over the age bracket-- many use these extensions with awesome success and it's plenty meaty! That will bring it up very easily to her level and the history overview will be an excellent precursor to the following guides!

If you go to the home page, click on the Preparing book and look towards the top right of the page, there will be a link the says something like "How to Order". Click on that and it will tell you what your ordering options are for each section. That's a start!

To sum it up, you'd need to order or find at the library:
-Economy Package
-Science Package
-Basic Package (Read-Alouds)
-Self-Study Package for Older Students
-DITHOR workbook and readers set (4/5 set on DITHOR page) OR you could choose a boy/girl read-aloud package (whichever you won't use next year with the Ancients guide) from the next guide to use as DITHOR readers for level 6/7/8
-Singapore Math (or math of your choice)
-R&S English (or one of your choice)
-Psalms CD

I'm not sure if you need to add in a writing program, like Ignighting Your Writing, since you dd is older. Someone with more experience can help there!

[mom23dc]

Yes,

That was actually one of my questions!! Can I use the Ignite Your Writing, or just use Writing Strands(which I currently own).

I am still a little confused about ordering. But I think I have it down now(I hope)...........LOL. HOD does now offer free shipping if you order over a certain dollar amount?

And, I am able to use the 6/7/8 DITTHOR student book with this, or is the 4/5 level a better fit?

I know that they have the extension pack for older children, but will the rest of the content in the Guide be age appropriate for her? (Such as the dictation, vocabulary words etc............)

Oh, and I see the Draw and Write Through History in in the newly independent reading package, yet the ages on it is 8-12. Is this something I should order seperately, or is it to "babysish" for an 11 yo??

Thank you

Cindy

[Riversidemom3]

Hi and welcome,

I agree that based on your stated needs HOD is exactly what you are looking for. I am still in the midst of my first year with HOD and after homeschooling for 11 years this is one of my best years. I am using Bigger combining my 2nd grade son and 4th grade daughter. Your daughter is just a smidge older than mine as my dd will be 11 beginning of November. We plan on going into Preparing in the fall.

I ordered a catalog prior to placing my first order last year. Once I had the catalog in hand, I went on my local library website and did a search for each book to see which ones were at the library and I would mark it off. That way I knew which ones I could get there and then I purchased the rest. If your drawn to Preparing for your daughter to get a good overview of history before she embarks on the whole sweep -she definitely is not too old. Blessings on your journey.

Jeri

[mom23dc]

Hi,

Thank you for you reply.

Do you think that the Science is "enough" for this age????

And, I am able to get most of the books at my library, so this is good. But I am still wondering about the Draw and Write Through History. Should I get that?

And a writing program(CLE LA is "light" in writing)

Thank you!!

[patekake]

Cindy:
Your situation sounds so much like mine, but my daughter will be 12 in November. I am new here to HOD and we will be starting Preparing for the first time in the fall. However, I have asked many questions (many the same as yours) and have received answers so I thought I would share them with you.
First of all, I thought about doing CTC, yet was drawn to Preparing because the overview of World History. In fact, Carrie replied to my concerns and assured me that Preparing would be a good place to start, especially since this will be our first time using HOD.
I, too, am going to use CLE LA and Math alongside HOD. My only concern is that CLE does not contain the writing that I feel she needs. I think I am going to purchase Igniting Your Writing to do on some 5th days, (Friday), yet I own Writing Strands and may possibly entertain using that instead. I am just going to compare the content a little more closely. (I do put trust in Carrie's recommendation and it is the reason that I am leaning towards Igniting Your Writing.)
Carrie recommended to me that I purchase the Draw and Write through History from the Deluxe package if my daughter liked to draw. Therefore, I will definitely be purchasing that too. Since we will be using the Extension Pack, Carrie said that it is not necessary to purchase the Deluxe Pack.
I expressed my concern about the Science in Preparing, because we had already read a couple of the books. I thought the Science in CTC looked more of what we needed. Carrie said that she sometimes suggests adding to the Science for the older students and suggested that I do the Science from CTC alongside Preparing. That is what we are going to do as it looks like a perfect fit for us.
I will be using DITHOR with the 6, 7, and 8th grade student book because she is will be in the 6th grade and she is reading above grade level.
Concerning dictation, I understand that there are three levels in each guide. I will be starting out using the Preparing guide since she does not have any other dictation experience. However, since I am purchasing the CTC guide for Science, I will have that available in case she moves levels quickly.
I have not used but have looked heavily at MFW. In fact, I have a friend that has offered to loan me ECC for next semester, but after spending hours, literally, on the Heart of Dakota website and much prayer, I will be going with HOD Preparing.
I just had to reply to your post because I had all the same questions last week and they have been thoroughly answered here.

Patti

[mom23dc]

Cindy:
Your situation sounds so much like mine, but my daughter will be 12 in November. I am new here to HOD and we will be starting Preparing for the first time in the fall. However, I have asked many questions (many the same as yours) and have received answers so I thought I would share them with you.
First of all, I thought about doing CTC, yet was drawn to Preparing because the overview of World History. In fact, Carrie replied to my concerns and assured me that Preparing would be a good place to start, especially since this will be our first time using HOD.
I, too, am going to use CLE LA and Math alongside HOD. My only concern is that CLE does not contain the writing that I feel she needs. I think I am going to purchase Igniting Your Writing to do on some 5th days, (Friday), yet I own Writing Strands and may possibly entertain using that instead. I am just going to compare the content a little more closely. (I do put trust in Carrie's recommendation and it is the reason that I am leaning towards Igniting Your Writing.)
Carrie recommended to me that I purchase the Draw and Write through History from the Deluxe package if my daughter liked to draw. Therefore, I will definitely be purchasing that too. Since we will be using the Extension Pack, Carrie said that it is not necessary to purchase the Deluxe Pack.
I expressed my concern about the Science in Preparing, because we had already read a couple of the books. I thought the Science in CTC looked more of what we needed. Carrie said that she sometimes suggests adding to the Science for the older students and suggested that I do the Science from CTC alongside Preparing. That is what we are going to do as it looks like a perfect fit for us.
I will be using DITHOR with the 6, 7, and 8th grade student book because she is will be in the 6th grade and she is reading above grade level.
Concerning dictation, I understand that there are three levels in each guide. I will be starting out using the Preparing guide since she does not have any other dictation experience. However, since I am purchasing the CTC guide for Science, I will have that available in case she moves levels quickly.
I have not used but have looked heavily at MFW. In fact, I have a friend that has offered to loan me ECC for next semester, but after spending hours, literally, on the Heart of Dakota website and much prayer, I will be going with HOD Preparing.
I just had to reply to your post because I had all the same questions last week and they have been thoroughly answered here.

Patti

Patti,

You have completley answered all my questions that I have been wondering about.

Okay, my last questions would then be concerning the Science. Should I purchase the CTC Science INSTEAD of the Preparing Science, or TOGETHER with Preparing Science?

So, in order to get the Schedule for the Science, I have to order the CTC Full Guide???? I would hate to have to purchase another Science on top of Preparing AND another Guidebook just to get the lesson plans for it. KWIM?? That would seem expensive.

And, if we move onto CTC next year, what do we do for Science when we get there??? Maybe just pick our own? (Which I would hate to do since we really hate textbooks we found, and much rather use Carrie's sugggestion for Science books, and a program)

So right now, I have in place to order

Preparing Economy Package
History Read Alouds
Self Study Extension Package for Older Students
Draw and Write Through History
Ignite Your Writing
CD Lead Me to the Rock

Is this correct??(I already own DITHOR)

Of course, except for Science, since I will await your response for that

Thank you SO much, you have been very helpful

Cindy

[patekake]

I am purchasing the CTC Guide to use for science. Yes, it is more money, but since I will be using it next year I justified it in my mind. Ha! I will not purchase or do any science from Preparing. I am only going to do the science in CTC, thus purchasing the guide as well as the science package from CTC.
As far as next year's science, I do not know what I will do. Perhaps I will purchase the following year's guide. I am just going to wait and see how everything goes.
Your order looks just like mine with the exception of my needing to order DITHOR/workbook, the CTC guide and CTC Science package.
I hope that I have not been too confusing. I am really looking forward to the fall and expecting a great year. I pray you will have a great year too!

Patti

[mom23dc]

I am purchasing the CTC Guide to use for science. Yes, it is more money, but since I will be using it next year I justified it in my mind. Ha! I will not purchase or do any science from Preparing. I am only going to do the science in CTC, thus purchasing the guide as well as the science package from CTC.
As far as next year's science, I do not know what I will do. Perhaps I will purchase the following year's guide. I am just going to wait and see how everything goes.
Your order looks just like mine with the exception of my needing to order DITHOR/workbook, the CTC guide and CTC Science package.
I hope that I have not been too confusing. I am really looking forward to the fall and expecting a great year. I pray you will have a great year too!

Patti

Hi Patti,

Okay, maybe I will do the same then see how the following year goes. You are right, I would be buying the guide anyways, so that makes perfect sense.

I *think* Preparing is a mixture of Life, Earth, and Physical, correct? Where in CTC, it focuses mainly on Life Sciences? Does the Science in Preparing competely coordinate with the Preparing History studies? You do not think it would be a problem using CTC Science, if that theme *only* focuses on the Ancients? I hope I am not confusing you..............LOL.

You have been a great help Patti, thank you.

Cindy

[patekake]

The catalog says that in Preparing that "Science topics and history themes mesh to allow for natural connections to be made between the two areas". I am sure that we will miss this flow, but Carrie is the one that addressed my concerns of our doing Preparing science and repeating a couple of books that we have already read. Since she recommended doing the CTC science, I felt like it would work.
As far as the type of science taught in each guide, I believe you are right. The scope and sequence says that CTC deals with Life Science and Biology. I noticed the year following CTC will be Earth science. I just noticed, also, that it says the science in Preparing "loosely coordinates with the history studies". I may be wrong in my thinking, but I really feel like this will be the best fit for us because I wanted to do Preparing but the CTC science appealed to me more since we have not studied the topics. I showed the HOD website to my daughter and she said the same thing. Then when Carrie answered my post with the suggestion of doing the CTC science that was just confirmation to me that it was the direction that we needed to take.
I am glad to help you. I know how I felt last week with so many questions.

Patti

[mom23dc]

Hi again Patti

Again, thank you for ALL of your help. It has made my ordering so much easier, and now I pretty much know what I am doing

Hopefully, without getting fruit thrown at me, we are going to use WP Science, Rock around The Earth. This is really what my dd wants to study this year, and we decided against using WP in favor of HOD. But she still LOVES the RATE Science(She has an interest in Rocks and Volcanoes). And it is still the CM method.

So since this year we will do Earth Science, we can fall right into CTC and use the Life Science/Biology for next year.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!! Such decisions!!!

Thank you again!!

[patekake]

Cindy:
It sounds like you have a great plan! It has been well thought out! Enjoy your year with HOD!

Patti

[Carrie]

Cindy,

The ladies on the board have been so helpful, and I realize I am late in chiming in here. I just wanted to pop-in and give you some fine-tuned advice for your particular situation.

I agree that Preparing Hearts is an excellent place for your daughter to begin. She fits well within the target age range of the guide, which is ages 9-11.

Next, I'll share that since your daughter fits within the target age range for the guide, we would advise that you do all of Preparing Hearts as written, including the science. It is written to cover the science standards for your daughter's age and goes very well with the rest of the core program in Preparing Hearts.

On a sidenote, patekake is correct that for her daughter (who is older than yours and who has already done some of the science books within the Preparing Hearts science package), I mentioned she could do the science from CTC instead if needed. However, your situation is a bit different both in the age of your daughter and the coverage you've had prior to this.

You're welcome to use WP science if you prefer, as you know your child best. I just wanted to clarify what our science recommendation would be for those who may be in a similar situation.

Anyway, if you have other questions, ask away. We're glad to help!

Blessings,
Carrie