heartofdakota.com

First, I want to say that my daughter and I are LOVING LHTH which we started two weeks ago. Our plan is to work at it through the summer, and then start LHFHG sometime in the fall. She's academically ready for LHFHG, but we are enjoying our time together with the gentle lessons in LHTH.
Before I found HOD I had planned to put together our own CM education and I'm so glad that now I don't have to! But, I was wondering if HOD covers all of the "extras" in a CM education- things like composer study, picture study, hymn study, nature study. I believe I will have to add foreign language but I wasn't sure about the others. I have been considering doing HOD 4 days a week and on Fridays having a fun day to do any "extras" - foreign language (we will be using ASL dvds from the library for K), possibly piano (or I may wait a year on that), nature walks, etc. I want to have some idea of what else I should "add" although I do understand that HOD is a wonderfully complete program. I'd also love to hear some ideas you all have for doing this - or maybe someone could point me to a thread on this board...I'm still trying to figure this all out.
Thanks so much!!
Erin

hymn study is done in some of the guides,

for composer and picture study, we utilize a lot of book ideas/CD's from Harmony Art Mom http://www.harmonyfinearts.com/section/grammar/ (We have a great library, where we can borrow many of these materials)

For nature study, we use the Outdoor Hour Challenges http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.c ... ebook.html (once a week, usually Fri...our day off) (you can get the e-book content free on the blog)

Hymns are done in Bigger, CTC, and RTR: some composer study is in the deluxe package of Preparing; and picture study and Shakespeare are included in RTR. So I think Carrie is keeping those "extras" in mind. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember Carrie saying somewhere that HoD is designed to focus on the three R's during the early years.

On a side note, we have really enjoyed the Magnificent Masters Of Music CD as a simple way to learn about several composers and their music.

I add in composer study by using Classics for Kids (free website and podcast). They do one composer per month.

Mommamo wrote:I add in composer study by using Classics for Kids (free website and podcast). They do one composer per month.

I had no idea you could get these for free! I have about 6 of their CDs! Oh well....

*Edit* Actually, nevermind. I misread this and thought it said Classical Kids. But while I'm at it, those are great CDs to get. They are sort of like a radio show. Each one covers a different composer and tells a story about the composer (though I think they are at least partially fictional). The background music is all of the same composer.

This will be our first year with HOD, so may plans may change after we get started. Right now, I'm planning on finishing HOD in the morning, then spending our afternoons with the Keepers of the Faith program. It's similar to Boy/Girl Scouts, but you can work on badges without having a large group. We're in a very rural area, so we'll be using it as a family. It covers handiwork, nature studies, poetry, art, recreational activities, cooking/baking, character studies...lots of CMish topics! If we can finish school in the morning, we should have lots of time for extras. My kids love to dawdle, so we'll see.

Thanks for all the ideas! It's good to know some of those extras will be covered in later HOD years. I'd like to add in a few things this year just for fun, but if I don't get around to all of them, it is nice to know HOD will cover them in the future.
Erin

Holly - I have the younger Little Keepers of the Home book that we worked in this year and will continue...I love it! Thanks for reminding me of it! Do you use the "Little Keepers" or the version for older girls?
Erin

I guess I'm using both. I bought the older one for my 7yo and the younger one for my 3yo (I also got DS the little boys book). I'm starting with topics that are in both books since those will have easier goals. So far they've done quilling, plastic canvas, soap-making, and made some snacks. I have a long list of things I want to work on next year...and I think I'll have time since I won't be worried about writing lesson plans!