heartofdakota.com

Hi! I'm back again!:) We have been gone for a little while. At the last minute, we had decided to put the kids into a public charter school, which is solely designed for homeschoolers. I know that there is a bad rap about charter schools, with the homeschool community, but we felt like this wasn't an ordinary charter school either. It has been wonderful for us, even allowing us to do our own curriculum, (even Heart of Dakota);), along with having many Christian teachers to work with. We had the opportunity to use all of our own curriculum or some of theirs, and we chose to do both.

Now, we are moving back to the great state of IA (finally, Carrie, I can come see you and your awesome setup at conference! Woo Hoo!) So, I will be doing solely HOD again. My question is, we have been doing the spelling lists, the storytime readers, the Emerging Readers, but nothing else. By the time that I pick HOD up again, after we move and all, it will be January. Since there will tentatively be only about a half of school year left, where should I pick up, and how should I pick it up again? Just to refresh your memory, I have two dg doing Beyond together. One will be 6 in Jan., and the other will be 7 in December. I really want to finish the whole manual, would I be okay, just to start from the beginning, and carry it over into the next fall? I am probably going to want to do 5 days a week, though with it, right?

Thanks ladies!
LeAnna

Moving back to IA! Fun! I bet you'll love being close to your family again! Now, January..coming from So. Cal. to Iowa may be a bit of a climate shock. But, you already know that.

If I were you I'd start at the beginning of Beyond and I'd do it 4 days a week. You'll have half the year to finish this year, and then it should take you 3/4 of the way through the following year. Then start Bigger 4 days a week. You'll get about 1/4 of it done and can finish it the next year. Then your girls will be 8 and 9 when they start Preparing (if I'm figuring right ).

You can just keep moving ahead in the spelling words and Emerging Readers. And, then if I were you, I'd just restart the storytime part and choose a different title so that you're on the same page as the rest of the plans. (As long as you plan to finish Beyond entirely.)

It's great to see you again, LeAnna!
Kathleen

PS: Do you want a cute little puppy as a house warming gift?? We'll save you one and bring it to IA in January.

I like Kathleen's idea that gives you a 4 day week. And I would take the puppy too!

Welcome back!

Hi LeAnna! I like Kathleen's idea as well. I grew up in Iowa, and it always still holds a special place in my heart. Are you sure you're ready for really cold winter weather again though? Bring on the hot cocoa and electric blankets. Actually, I love homeschooling in the winter in the midwest. Being all cozy in my house as the wind and snow blows outside makes homeschooling feel like even more of a blessing. I hope your move goes well, and it's good to see ya around here again!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks Kathleen! I think I will just start from the beginning, and go 4 days a week. Iowa will be a climate shock for us, since we haven't been there for awhile. But, I think I will love having seasons again! Julie, I love the coziness of the fall and winters too, just minus the ice! And, homeschooling is so much fun with we are all snuggled up together!:) My kids are very much looking forward to building a snowman! It's funny to think that my kids have never seen snow.

Kathleen- I've seen your puppy pictures... and they are all so cute! Thanks for the thought! But, I am afraid we will just have to pass. We already have 2 kitties and that's plenty for now.

It's good to be back girls!

LeAnna

LeAnna,

It sounds like the ladies have already given you great advice. I agree that it would be wise to savor the guide and enjoy the path through without rushing. There is much in the guides to enjoy and many skills that your kiddos will build as they go. Plus, they are just the right ages for doing Beyond and would be well set-up for moving into future guides on target.

We pray that you will enjoy using the rest of Beyond!

Blessings,
Carrie