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After 20 years of homeschooling my 10 children, I am now in a situation where I need to work full-time (ironically, as a liaison between homeschool families and a public school district program). There has been some frustration this fall because the younger children often have different adults acting as their guide. The children spend a day with my mother, a day with Daddy, and usually a day or two with one of their adult siblings or another homeschool family. I am hopeful that using HOD will eliminate some of the problems I have now. If my mom doesn't feel confident with an area, she can simply skip a box and I'll address it later. I want the program to feel less overwhelming for the adults who are facilitating. So, in essence, the biggest reason for me choosing HOD is to help the teachers more than the students! Does that make any sense at all? I am unwilling to lose a literature-based program with emphasis on Charlotte Mason methodology, and this seems the most "doable" program considering the circumstances. I still have 6 children at home, but the oldest three work on Sonlight independently.

I do have a few questions. I'm placing my advanced 1st grader and very young 3rd grader both in Bigger Hearts. The most advanced emerging readers look somewhat easy for my 3rd grader, but I do think she'd enjoy them. Should I keep them together in the readers, or have her work through DITHOR at the 2/3 level. She is currently reading books like A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Chronicles of Narnia in her free time, so she does read fairly well. My little guy (7 in February) needs the emerging readers. The Frog and Toad type will be easy for him, but the shorter chapter books would still be challenging. My other concern with him is that though he reads well, his fine motor writing skills are poor. He is definitely not ready to learn cursive (as in...I'm not ready to push it!) However, they are both very advanced in their knowledge of science and history topics, so Beyond is definitely too young for them. Will it be difficult to ease him into the writing?

My 11yo 6th grader will use CTC. For the 6th grader, I am unsure which Rod and Staff grammar to choose. Though the catalog lists 4th and 5th, should I not buy her the 6th grade? She is a good independent worker, and currently uses Calvert 6th grade with no difficulties in grammar. Any other considerations for a child who will mostly do this program independently?

Thanks for any input,
Chelle
Wife to Jim
Mom to Bethany, EmmaLeigh, Thaddeus, Burch, Abigail, Georgia, Elsa, Sorche, Caoihme ^0^, and Fletcher
Nana to Simon

Hi Chelle,

Welcome to HOD! I think that you have really thought this through! It looks good! HOD will work wonderfully with a multitude of teachers - including your independently lead children! I used Bigger last year with ages 7,11,12. As far as your question concerning the Readers - I assume you mean the Read-Alouds selections. Yes, I would definitely keep them together. As far as your son - He’s a perfect fit for the Emerging Reader's Set. I would start your daughter in the level 3 DITHR Book Pack.
As far as Rod and Staff. It's just an extremely thorough Grammar Program. I would start her in R & S Grade 4. It may be easy for the first couple of chapters, but it is equivalent to any 6th grade English anywhere else. ALSO, since it sounds like she will be working independently this will allow learn a new English book and it's style without too much frustration.

Julie,

I really appreciate the feedback. I went on Rod and Staff's site and thankfully came to the same conclusion about using the Grade 4 English. Whew! I had just placed my order, so I feel good knowing someone experienced with this program concurs. I actually chose HOD because I see how well it works for several of the families I work with in my job with the school district. It's fun to see what each different type of family/homeschool/curriculum produces in learners. I am responsible for about 25 families/80 children, so there is never a dull moment!

I look forward to ironing things out as we press ahead. I pray for quick shipping so that I can get things set up before the end of vacation.

Blessings,
Chelle

Chelle wrote: I do have a few questions. I'm placing my advanced 1st grader and very young 3rd grader both in Bigger Hearts. The most advanced emerging readers look somewhat easy for my 3rd grader, but I do think she'd enjoy them. Should I keep them together in the readers, or have her work through DITHOR at the 2/3 level. She is currently reading books like A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Chronicles of Narnia in her free time, so she does read fairly well. My little guy (7 in February) needs the emerging readers. The Frog and Toad type will be easy for him, but the shorter chapter books would still be challenging. My other concern with him is that though he reads well, his fine motor writing skills are poor. He is definitely not ready to learn cursive (as in...I'm not ready to push it!) However, they are both very advanced in their knowledge of science and history topics, so Beyond is definitely too young for them. Will it be difficult to ease him into the writing?

Welcome to the HOD Board, Chelle! Right off the bat I'll tell you I've had to share my guides with other "teachers" now and then (my Dad and my Mom), and it's gone so well. They just check off the boxes and follow the general order of our day to complete the 2 page spread of plans. They've both commented on the ease of using the guides. My oldest sister has even had her teenage daughter teach LHTH with their 4 yo, and even she was able to do it with ease. I think you'll find this easier to share teaching responsibilities with others than anything else out there.

I think it sounds like your 2 dc will do well with BHFHG; you'll just need to modify some of the writing required at first. You can write it for him, and then ease him into copying it himself. You may want to have him copy just a portion of the poem each week rather than all of it. He can do the spelling list along with the activities, and your older child can do the dictation. I would do A Reason for Handwriting A with your little one (or something similar) rather than cursive. This will build his fine motor skills and strengthen his writing ability. The Emerging Readers should be just right for him. We LOVED that set! Doing it along with the comprehension questions in the Appendix did much to prepare my dc for DITHOR. For your older dd, I'd say she's ready for DITHOR Level 2/3. However, to give yourself time to ease into the guide, I'd begin with the last few books of the Emerging Reader's set for her. Then, after a few weeks or a month, I'd start DITHOR Level 2/3. This will give everyone doing the teaching time to become familiar with BHFHG before beginning DITHOR. Stagger starting really is of benefit to us as the teachers, and since you will own the Emerging Reader's Set already, you may as well take advantage of that. BHFHG was a joy for me to teach, and we've done DITHOR for 7+ years now and are still loving it. I think you will find HOD writes God honoring, CM style curriculum that is both academically sound and spiritually uplifting. We'll look forward to getting to know you here at the HOD Board!

In Christ,
Julie

Chelle,

I just wanted to welcome you to the board too! We're glad to have you here. It looks like the ladies have done a great job of answering your questions. If you have other questions, ask away!

We look forward to getting to know you even better.

Blessings,
Carrie