heartofdakota.com

We have two children, 5th and 3rd this year. We are currently doing Sonlight and I am strongly considering HOD next year when my kids would be in 6th and 4th. All of our history has been sporatic. A little Ancients, a little American, nothing from the Middle Ages, and nothing from Modern Times. My question is: where would I start them next year? Preparing...? I want to keep them together. Also, if there turns out to be no High School Levels, what would you do after completing all of HOD? Also, if my son starts Preparing in 4th grade that would mean be would be in Resurrection to Reformation in 6th grade, then where would I go?

Thank you so much for your help. I have read wonderful things about all of you here. I feel privileged to be a part of your board!

Karen

hi,

We really enjoy HOD--it truly it wonderful. they have great placement chart that you can check out, but off the top of my head I would consider putting them both in Preparing and using the extensions for your older child. There are scheduled three more guides to come after the Reformation to Resurrection; two to complete the history cycle and then one geography based guide to use as a jumping point into highschool. I hope this helps, I know there are a lot of ladies more informed than me to help answer your questions!

In Christ,
Jess

Here is the link to that placement chart. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php It tends to be pretty spot-on and would be a perfect place to start. After you check it out and see where your kiddos place, I'm sure we can give you a little more feedback.

But just off the top of my head, I do think that Preparing with extensions for your older one might be a good fit. You also might consider Bigger with extensions for your older one. We're using it right now for 2nd grade and it's an EXTREMELY full program. If your American History has been a little spotty, you might enjoy it. I think that either of these could really work well for you for combining. But it really does depend on where they place on the placement chart.

Is there a seperate schedule for the extension package for the older kids?

Karen

Hi Karen, and welcome to the HOD Board! We have loved doing HOD in our home for many years now, and I think you will find it has the excellent living books of Sonlight, along with a great balance of hands-on, activities, discussion questions, and Bible study. We've found the placement chart to be right on track for our kiddos too. The first page of it is more important than the time period, etc. that follows. As far as the extensions, they have their own schedule in the Appendix of the guide. I think you'll find this board to be very encouraging and helpful. I'm glad you are here!

In Christ,
Julie

Karen,

It sounds like you have been given some great advice already, so I'll just pop-in to mention that if you get a chance to look over the placement chart and share your thoughts we can give you even more specific advice for your kiddos' situation. The placement chart helps give us a common starting point and provides a clearer picture of your kiddos' levels, which really is a great help as we advise.

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Karen! I just wanted to jump in because we are former Sonlighters (all I ever used until last year)...I thought I would never jump to any other curriculum...until...well, I "met" HOD through a friend. Then, we took the plunge last year after finishing SL 4 to HOD Preparing . I had dc in 4th and 5th grade. It was a great fit for both. The 5th grader used extensions because he LOVES to read and just eats up books. Probably with a 6th grader you would want to use the extensions, also - depending on how dc fits into the placement chart.

I can only say...we LOVE HOD at our house.