heartofdakota.com

Hi Everyone!

I'd be so thankful for any advice on what I should order!! Everytime I think I've figured it out...I get confused again:shock: !

Their Ages:
My son will be 9 when school starts again in August. (entering 4th)
My daughter is 6, turning 7 in December of 2008. (entering 1st)

Current Curriculum:
My Son (currently 3rd grade): doing R&S "3" this year, does additional copywork, his writing consist of simple sentences, likes reading chapter books, NOT a good speller, ok with R&S 3 grammar

My Daughter (currently in K): doing Calvert, reading simple books, writes simple words and sentences

Should I do one package or two??
They both fit in Bigger, although my daughter will not turn 7 until December.
Or, do I buy Beyond and then supplement for my son with the more difficult readers?
Or, should I buy two packages and DITHOR for my son?

Oh my!!!!! Help, please!

Thanks, Ladies!

Have you looked at the placement chart for help?

http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

I'm sure some others who are using those programs can help out more.

Since they're kind of spread out with their ages, I'm leaning toward 2 packages...

I think your dd would fit nicely into Beyond...it's a perfect 1st grade or 2nd grade program.

I'm hesitant to rec. for your ds as I don't have one that old and not experienced with the older programs (yet ) but I'm thinking maybe Preparing for him???

Hopefully some other moms will chime in here.

hugsathome,

Like crlacey mentioned, we'd love to help you out, but we can give you better advice if you tell us how your kiddos placed on the placement chart. Here's that link to the chart: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Also a couple more questions, will you be using the Singapore Math in the guides or a different math? Last, what have your kiddos had in science and history prior to this?

If you get a chance to pop back in and give us your take on the chart - that would be great! We'll be looking forward to helping you.

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Hugsathome! So glad you are here - and I would love to help you out too! Once you check out the placement chart, please let us know your thoughts! So glad you are here!
Julie

Hi Again,

Thanks for the advice so far. Well, I've looked at the placement chart many, many times. You'd think I'd know what I'm doing by now!!

Here's what I know:
Daughter:I think my daughter fits nicely under Beyond Little Hearts on the placement chart...to start 1st grade

Son: My son could go under Bigger or Preparing.
He is an independent reader (chapter books)
He already knows cursive writing
Currently in Rod and Staff grade 3 grammar
History - did formal history in 1st and 2nd grade -- very general though
Science - did in 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade (currently using Considering God's Creation)
Math - currently using Rod & Staff...used Calvert in 1st and 2nd with MAth U See as a supplement to Add/Sub.

Does that help at all??????

Thank you all!

Sorry I don't have any advice for you. My son is in Beyond for 2nd and I havent' gone farther than that. But I just wanted to say Hello. It's nice to meet you. The ladies here love to help, you should get plenty of help from those with older kids than mine.

hugsathome wrote: Here's what I know:
Daughter:I think my daughter fits nicely under Beyond Little Hearts on the placement chart...to start 1st grade

Son: My son could go under Bigger or Preparing.
He is an independent reader (chapter books)
He already knows cursive writing
Currently in Rod and Staff grade 3 grammar
History - did formal history in 1st and 2nd grade -- very general though
Science - did in 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade (currently using Considering God's Creation)
Math - currently using Rod & Staff...used Calvert in 1st and 2nd with MAth U See as a supplement to Add/Sub.

Does that help at all??????

Thank you all!

Hi! Yes, that does help! I think it would be best to put your dc in 2 programs. I think it would be great to put your dd in Beyond. I also think that it may be a good idea to do Preparing for your older son. I'm doing Bigger... now, and to me, it sounds like he would be ready for Preparing. I'll be interested to hear what other moms think though.

I also think that you don't want to teach the same programs right in a row. So this year if you do Beyond... with your dd, and Preparing... with your ds, then the following year, you could do Bigger... with your dd and the next level after Preparing with your ds. I like to do this so I'm teaching each HOD program every other year, rather than 2 years in a row. Does that make sense? HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Hi to Everyone and Thank You!!

That helps me.

Also, I have a question for MY3Sons....you mentioned that I should do preparing so I don't do a program twice in a row. I like that idea. Are there other reasons why you think Preparing is more appropriate for a 4th grader??

Thanks again...it's so helpful to have this discussion board!!

hugsathome,

Thanks so much for sharing with us your take on the placement chart. That really does help! With what you've shared, I would agree with my3sons that your dear daughter would do great in "Beyond...." and your 4th grader could start in "Preparing...".

Since your son can already read chapter books, knows cursive writing, has had formal history, and science in the earlier grades, and is moving along in Rod and Staff English 3, it does sound like he'd be ready for the skills in "Preparing...". He sounds similar to my own son who will be in grade 4 next year and using "Preparing".

The only reason to use "Bigger..." instead of "Preparing..." would be if your son hasn't had any (or very little) American history, as we won't revisit that again for several years with Heart of Dakota (and then only in the context of world history). I do believe all kiddos should have a love, understanding, and appreciation for their patriotic heritage!

I, also agree, that it is fun to do alternate HOD programs by year if possible, instead of doing the same program back to back - just for the teacher. The kiddos are always excited about the learning since it's new to them, but I just like a little variety in what I'm teaching as it keeps me fresher and more enthralled with the subject matter.

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Carrie

WOW!!

Wonderful. Thank you all so much for helping me to see through my fog! I am so excited about this curriculum...and.... may I also compliment this discussion board....it really, really helps!!!

Thank you, Carrie!

Great! The ladies on the board are so wonderful about helping, aren't they!

Blessings,
Carrie

Sorry I didn't get back to you right away! My dear baby has the stomach flu. Say a little prayer for him please! Anyway, Carrie answered your question so well already. I agree with what she said here:

Since your son can already read chapter books, knows cursive writing, has had formal history, and science in the earlier grades, and is moving along in Rod and Staff English 3, it does sound like he'd be ready for the skills in "Preparing...".

Your son sounds like he is ready for Preparing... HOORAY! That'll be great fun to do together - I'll be doing it with you, with my son! I really like alternating teaching the HOD programs. When I've had a year between them, it's like coming back to a dear friend when I teach it again! Glad you are here, and keep on posting!

In Christ,
Julie[/quote]