heartofdakota.com

Good morning~

I am considering switching over to HOD next year, but have a question...I'm looking at Creation to Christ (interestingly, this is exactly what we would be studying in our current curriculum!). I know it would work with my then 9 year old/4th grade twins...but can I also include my then 7 year old/2nd grader? Or would I need to choose a different program for her? I also have a preschooler...she would require her own program. At some point, are all the kids together or would I always be juggling multiple programs? Trying to smooth out our days a bit...school seems to be taking a long time each day and I keep hearing about HOD and the good qualities about it. Thanks for any help!

I feel our days are streamlined with HOD and we do two full programs and parts of one for my ds. We did Creation to Christ last year and we have three units to finish this year before we begin the next guide. I wouldn't want to include my youngers in that guide due to the level of content. so much would have been over their heads and I have a personal policy of not teaching ancient history to my kids until they are a bit older. As for being able to do three programs--it can be done and done successfully by noon or early afternoon. We did CTC, Beyond, and LHTH last year and were done by 12:30. the beautiful thing about CTC is there is more independent work for the students which helped streamline my teaching time across everyone's guide especially after I taught my oldest dd how to efficiently and effectively use the guide and her time.

I hope and pray you can find a workable situation for your family. I am so enjoying teaching with HOD. My kiddos like it too.

Blessings to you today,
Jess

Welcome to the HOD Board! Have you checked out the placement chart? That always really helps me place our dc. It's short and accurate. Here's a link to it:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

We did CTC last year and loved it! I would not do it (or any other ancients program for that matter) with a 2nd grader though. While it may be a good fit for your 9 yo's, your 7 yo would be in way over her head, and there would be many things little ears should not hear within that time period. I want to encourage you that it is not difficult to do several HOD guides. We did CTC, Beyond, and LHTH last year and had a great time with it. We were done within 4 1/2 hours as well - very manageable, with everyone getting just what they needed. However, if you are wanting to combine your 7 and 9 yo's, I'd check out Bigger Hearts for them. That is an excellent program as well and would fit everyone's needs better (and when that happens, it's easier on us moms too)!

In Christ,
Julie