heartofdakota.com

Hello,
I have been homeschooling my kids for 5 years now. My son is 9, and is in 3rd grade now, my daughter is almost 7 and in 1st grade. I started my kids in The Weaver, used it for 2 years and loved it because of the Unit Study approach, the hands on, and the multi-level teaching. However it was sorely lacking in a teaching guide and I found I was having to do WAY TOO much prep work and required many resources beyond my budget. So more searching and talking to other homeschoolers and decided to switch to Sonlight, but only the history part. I also put my son in Lifepacks Language Arts and that is working well for him. We already use Singapore Math. I was wary of Sonlight because of all the reading, which I wonder about with HOD. The kids love the read-a-loud books, but I read them everything and feel like Charlie Brown's teacher. There isn't any projects or art or anything "fun" about Sonlight, which is why I am looking at HOD now. I like the multi-sensory approach.
I have been reading many of the posts already here and am learning a lot about HOD, but of course, need some direction.

I have a couple questions for the members:


I will combine the kids. (I know myself) my question is Beyond or Bigger. My daughter firmly fits in Beyond. My son could do Bigger or even the next one. We have not covered American History in our previous curriculums, so that is why he would do one of these. I will separate math and Lang. Arts for him of course.

I have read that Bigger has much more writing than Beyond, which I think both my kids would struggle with. Writing and dictation is not my son's strong suit, and my daughter is just young. They both do very well in Math, my son is a year ahead in Singapore. My son hasn't been tested, but I would guess he's reading 5th grade level. My daughter is an emerging reader and finishing Phonics. We use Phonics Pathways and Dick and Jane for her.

I might have more questions, but for now, if I could get any advice I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,
Kirsten

Hi! So glad you are considering HOD. We love HOD. There is nothing that I can say I do not like about the program. You can adjust it according to your child's need, but everything is laid out for you. I am an over-preparer (is there such a lable?), so I would spend so much time preparing and planning with other curriculums and then I was the only one who could teach since I knew what my "goal" was. My husband can even help out with HOD. The plans are so easy to understand. I think Beyond would be your best pick, but I do not have enough experience with the programs yet to give you that recommendation 100%. I'm sure some other HOD moms who are much wiser than me could give you some great advice.

I'm assuming you are asking for an honest response to "what do you NOT like about HOD?" I really thought hard about this, as i do not want you to get a bunch of moms saying, "It's perfect!" because that would seem unrealistic to you. First and foremost, I truly love this curriculum. We use Little Hearts ( have not done Beyond or Bigger yet). I think the best things about it is the layout of the teacher's guide...then if you find somehting you DON'T like, you just don't do that box. X through it. Easy peasy. Truthfully, I am not fond of the math activities in Little Hearts if you are looking for a negative. But, I simply don't do them. And, the best part is, since the Math box is there, it still reminds me to do math and I still highlight it as "done". It is all very visual.

Last year we used Sonlight p 4/5 and we really liked a lot of the books. I want to talk about the difference I have noticed, though. We read through the same Bible last year that we are reading this year. Of couse, this year HOD has activities that go along with the Bible history, etc. The difference in what my dd has retained is amazing! Originally I thought this curriculum might move too slow, might not be "enough", etc. But, I will say that I am more than impressed with the amount of Bible knowledge that my 6 year old has retained this year. Truthfully, I feel as thought every aspect of the curriculum has been prayed over and the activities, songs, etc. are all Spirit driven. I am easily distracted and I really was afraid I would be someone who changes curriculums every year, but I am definitely here for the long haul! The only thing I can see doing differently is purchasing a different Science curriculum that my 3 kiddos can all do together that is not tied to the guide. I hope this helps!

i , too, have only used Little Hands to Heaven and Little Hearts for His Glory. we have done most of the boxes.

we skipped the music one because the kids just don't seem to get into it. but other HODer's love it.

we use Math-u-see instead of Singapore, but like previous post it is nice to have the box to remind me to do it.

We use a different Phonics program to start and now are using the Emerging Reader from the Beyond guide.
Hod is very flexible and i love that about it.

We have used some of the science, but truthfully i am planning on using our own science and combining my two eldest in this area at least until the RTR guide. i am excited about the science that Carrie is planning on using with that guide. will be a little while before we get to that though.

so the only negatives i have ,i suppose, are the science and the music. and these are easily altered to our family's taste.
HOpe Hod will be right for you!

Jenn D.

Welcome, Kristen!

Are you planning to switch to HOD right away? Or will you be waiting until next fall? I'd say that that would make a difference on how the ladies here would advise you. If you're switching right away, you'd probably be best to go with Beyond if that's where the 7 yo fits best....but if you're waiting for a while and your kids finish this school year and are almost 8 and 10 then I'd say you'd be better to go with Bigger.

The extension packs that HOD has for Bigger on up are really helpful for you being able to combine and still challenge to older child.

We switched to HOD last year, and I honestly love all of it. I really thought that I would skip the poetry as I did NOT like it growing up. But, we gave it a shot and have thoroughly enjoyed it! In fact, in Preparing this year, my son's favorite part of the week is the creative writing he does on Tues based on the poetry. I never would have guessed that!!! My son's least favorite part is anything that has him writing or copying anything. (He loves the creative aspect of writing....just not actually doing it! ) We use all of HOD as is and coulsn't be happier about our actual school days and the results we're seeing in our family. I love the meaningful talks we have during our Bible times. They're simple questions, but I know my kids' hearts are being affected by God's Word and I love getting to share in that. I wouldn't trade the little everyday moments for anything! My kids' favorite things are the hands-on activities in HOD.

Kathleen

Kirsten,

I just wanted to welcome you to the board! We're glad to have you here!

As far as your questions go, the ladies are doing a terrific job of answering your questions! However, your first question does not fit within the guidelines for this board outlined in the following portion of our welcome:

"Our prayer for this board is that its content may glorify our Father in heaven and may also encourage other families on their homeschool journey. With that in mind, we will be monitoring the board for helpful content as well as for a positive, encouraging tone. Posts that we feel do not reflect the philosophy of Heart of Dakota Publishing may be removed. "

Rather than asking you to remove that portion of your post, if you could just rephrase your first question so that it serves the purpose of constructively helping you use HOD in your home, rather than blanketly asking for negatives, it would be appreciated.

Our goal and ministry for this board is to help families better use HOD within their own home.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks everyone for the replies!
I am planning on making a switch to something different in the fall, so another question I have is will the kids miss anything if I go right into Bigger as far as context or is it better to start the American History in Beyond?
Has anyone used Beyond with a 2nd and 4th grader?
I am grateful for any advice I can get before choosing a new curriculum.

Thanks,
Kirsten

Kirsten,

My son was 8 yo last year when we started with HOD. We started with Bigger, as that was where he fit, and it was great! I'll get to go through all of HOD with my younger 2, and I'm sure that will have definite advantages, but I don't feel like we "missed" a thing! So, if that's where your kids fit, I'd go for it.

I'd say you'd be best to wait until late spring or whenever you're finishing things up for the year and see where they fit best with the placement chart.

But, if they fit in Bigger, you have the option of the extension pack for more reading for your son. Those are books that he would read independently to up the level in science and history for him. You could do Bigger 4 days a week (instead of 5) which would stretch it about 9 weeks into the following school year if you felt the pace needed to be slowed down a little for your daughter. You could also adjust the writing for her a little if necessary at the beginning of the year.

I haven't used Beyond yet, so I'm no help there. I'm sure the moms here will help if you have more questions!
Kathleen

Kirsten -
We've done Beyond and Bigger, and both are excellent options. Though we've done both, if I'd come to HOD later and my dc according to the placement chart placed best together in Bigger Hearts, I'd have no qualms about starting there. This brings me to my next question - we've found the placement chart to be a very accurate tool for a starting place to place dc. So, we know you want to combine (thank you, BTW, for saying that outright, so we know that's part of your goal and will most definitely help us help you with placement) . I am wondering if you could please share about your dc's writing and grammar. How much is each of your dc writing each day right now, and have they had grammar - if so, what have they done? Finally, I am wondering how your 7 yo listens to books with fewer pictures, and also if you could share some books your 9 yo has read well independently lately? These few things will help us give a better placement suited specifically for your dc. At the moment, I'd probably place them in Beyond, but considering you are looking at the fall, depending on your 7 yo's writing, I'd probably place them in Bigger Hearts. So, here's a link to the placement chart:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

With all of the ideas we kick around with placement, it is most definitely still a decision left up to the parent. So, be sure to weigh all of the advice here, pray about it, and choose what you are comfortable with. HOD has outstanding programs - no matter which one you choose, so just pick what fits your family best.

In Christ,
Julie

Hi Kirsten!

I am using Beyond right now with my 7 yo second grader, and we are having a wonderful first year with HOD. She is also using DITHOR to beef up reading, as that is her strength. I debated placing her in Bigger as she was "advanced" in public school, but we went with Beyond for several reasons. However, I do have the Bigger manual (because she is working ahead in math), and it is certainly "do-able" for a second grader and I am sooo looking forward to starting it next year (she will be 8 ).

Anyway, my "vote" for you would probably be Bigger for next year. There is still quite a bit of time between now and the Fall, and I bet your younger one would place very close to Bigger. For reading you have the option of the emerging readers set (which has comprehesion quesions in the appendix). You could also use your own program. It sounds like it would be just right for your son if he isn't keen on writing and dictation. There is an extension pack which will beef up the science and history for you son which looks awesome...those are meant to be read independently, so it shouldn't be more reading for you! (There is a schedule for the reading in the appendix.)

I agree with Kathleen, though, that checking the placement chart again in the summer would be a good idea.

I will say that I love HOD. This is our first year homeschooling and I am soooo thankful that we were led to HOD from the start. I have felt so at home with the program that I can't see us changing curriculums (and I'm not looking, either . There is a simplicity to it, yet such a depth and flow...if that makes sense. I also think the less "tweaking" you have to do...with whatever level or levels you choose...the better. It is very possible to do 2 separate levels at once with this program if it best fits the needs of your children. This year we are doing Beyond and LHTH. Next year we will be doing Bigger and Little Hearts for His Glory at half-speed. I will be honest and say that if I can do it, then anyone can!!

I pray that you will find what will fit your family best!

Thank you to everyone! I cannot express my gratitude of the genuine guidance you are all offering!!

My oldest is in 3rd grade Lifepack Lang Arts. He writes just a little everyday and is learning parts of speech, sentences, etc, and is supposed to write short stories, but I don't always make him do the writing because of all the complaining.

My youngest does a page of copy work - forming letters and copying one or two sentences. I think she'll be fine in the R&S English 2 for next fall. She listens to longer chapter books so-so depending on subject matter.

What is DITHOR? I haven't been able to figure that one out!

Thank you again,
Kirsten

Kirsten wrote:Thank you to everyone! I cannot express my gratitude of the genuine guidance you are all offering!!

My oldest is in 3rd grade Lifepack Lang Arts. He writes just a little everyday and is learning parts of speech, sentences, etc, and is supposed to write short stories, but I don't always make him do the writing because of all the complaining.

My youngest does a page of copy work - forming letters and copying one or two sentences. I think she'll be fine in the R&S English 2 for next fall. She listens to longer chapter books so-so depending on subject matter.

What is DITHOR? I haven't been able to figure that one out!

Thank you again,
Kirsten

Thanks, Kirsten! That helps so much, and I think it comes down to the level of writing you'd like the 2 of them to be doing because either Beyond or Bigger would truly work. I'd lean toward placing them together in BHFHG if you think they will grow into the writing, and if you are not starting until fall. I found some wonderful past threads that should help you weigh the writing in your decision. They explain the amount/kind of writing in Beyond compared to Bigger. In this first link, scroll to "Kathleen's" post:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3005

In this second post, scroll down to "Carrie's" post:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1516&p=11829

If you do decide to do BHFHG, doing a good portion of R & S 2 English orally would be a good idea. This post describe how we've enjoyed doing that:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4659&p=34269#p34269

As far as DITHOR, that stands for HOD's reading program for ages 7-15 yo called "Drawn into the Heart of Reading". Here's a link to that:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into.php

DITHOR is an outstanding reading program! We've used it for multiple years and still love it. You can pick your own books, and go at a pace you are comfortable with. If you prefer book packs, HOD has excellent choices for those as well. You really can't go wrong with DITHOR. This would be the reading portion for your oldest whether he did Beyond or Bigger, and your younger would probably do the Emerging Reader's Set. HTH! Be sure to keep asking questions until you come to peace about your choice.

In Christ,
Julie

Kirsten,

It sounds like you've gotten some wonderful ideas from the ladies on the board and are doing a good job of pondering your options. We'll pray that the Lord will bring you peace with your decision.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask away. The ladies are so gracious with their time and are good at encouraging one another. We're glad to have you here!

Blessings,
Carrie