heartofdakota.com

We have been moving toward HOD for the past year and would be "home" except for this Mama's insecurities and ignorance . God is taking me through the wringer and teaching me so much about Him, His faithfulness, my GREAT need of Him, etc. in the process. Who knew that home schooling would have so many awesome side benefits for Mom (and Dad my dh would say)?!

Several months ago I wanted to use BHFHG with my DS8 as he placed perfectly in the guide. At that time I just did NOT understand how to combine children, how easy it would be to put them in separate guides, how amazingly planned/organized HOD is, etc. I backed out because I thought I HAD to combine my boys and I didn't know how to do that with HOD. I have learned so much since then.

Recently I was able to purchase LHFHG, BLHFHG, and BHFHG guides used and they're wonderful. I LOVE what I see and it confirms what I've been learning about HOD over the past few months via the boards here, the catalog and the generous samples. I've spent hours reading and researching and comparing!

Presently, we are using MFW Adventures which is a great program. We are enjoying it and it's a good fit for my boys this year. HOWEVER, I don't plan to continue with MFW but to switch over to HOD.

My oldest is a GREAT student. He is quick in the mind and understands concepts with very little effort. In fact, though the boys are only a grade apart "technically" I think they are more like 2 grades apart developmentally. My DS6 is a first grader but on the YOUNG side. He may benefit from a slower pace while the older is moving quickly in all areas. If I were to switch to HOD right now (I'm not planning to just yet ) my DS6 places in Beyond and my DS8 places in Bigger. As I look ahead to next fall (yes, it's many months away and lots of stuff can and will happen in their little lives) I am wondering how to "think" about preparing for the transition to HOD. I want to make sure that the things we're working on THIS SCHOOL YEAR (since we're not using HOD right now) will insure a good transition to HOD this next year.

1. Is it silly to consider combining my DS6 with his younger sister in LHFHG although he'd be a 2nd grader? He's doing fabulous with the emerging readers (we are using that part of Beyond and it's wonderful) and will be strong in reading. He may not be ready for the work of DITHOR but could work on reading through the books (at a minimum). As far as content subjects and attention span I expect he'd combine better with his sis. Does anyone DO that? The two drawbacks are 1) He'd rather join in with his brother. 2) He'd be "off" a guide and end up with LOTS of American history (since he's studying that this year with Adventures).

2. I do WANT to place my oldest in Preparing for 3rd grade (and it would dovetail beautifully with the younger/s doing Little Hearts). On the placement chart I feel confident he'll fit squarely in that guide. HOWEVER, if I decide to wait for his younger brother to work his way up a bit is it silly to consider doing Bigger with the boys although the oldest is "past it" skill wise? The lovely thing about this scenario is keeping the boys together through the next few years. I think they'd like that and it would simplify things just a bit for me.

3. If a 3rd grader uses Bigger but would place BETTER skill wise in Preparing (using the placement chart) what is the recommendation for grammar? We're using FLL 1 and 2 now. Would we still benefit from using R&S 2 even though much of the content would be review? Perhaps the writing lessons would challenge him? Would we work ahead by using the Preparing Guide's grammar schedule? This boy wouldn't have used R&S 2 for writing. I do see that using DITHOR with the 3rd grader would add some challenge for him alongside Bigger if we go that route. I am looking around for a used Preparing Guide and hope to get my hands on one. Praying for that to come soon! It helps to see the guides IRL.

4. My daughter will be a K'er and will definitely use LHFHG, following the HOD sequence year by year. I can't wait to begin with her . ALL of my children would LOVE it right now. The books are lovely.

5. I have considered placing each child in their own guide. It's a lovely thought BUT I would be spread too thin (I think). Thoughts? I do have a little one coming up the ranks and he'll be schooling in a few short years.

My MAIN reasons for asking these questions are "being ready and prepared" and knowing what to work on NOW. Admittedly, I am discombobulated with Language Arts because when we switch to HOD I'd like to use HOD's scheduled LA. It's so much simpler to just follow the guide day to day! I LOVE the lay out and so will my children. I have to consider these issues carefully and decide whether to stick with what we've started or switch over to HOD's recommendations now in order to be on track (I do have those guides for reference which helps.). Any recommendations, thoughts or "threads to read" to shed light?

I am using a phonics/rules based spelling program and the idea of studied dictation TERRIFIES me. Truly. I'm sold on dictation but as spelling instruction? Oh boy. Is it effective? Really? I've been researching and trying to read more about it. My kids seem to thrive with learning phonograms and analyzing words. Would they thrive with studied dictation (for spelling) as well? I need to hear from LONG TERM users here. It's scary to leap into the unknown!! The idea of using studied dictation is LOVELY to me because of the number of skills being handled in one exercise (dictation). Can it be that easy?

If you're read this far then BLESS YOU . I tried to condense and I think I probably forgot something really important . Thank-you for helping me to think through this and lay down a plan. I can say that it's hard to have these lovely HOD guides under my roof and NOT be using them day to day. I truly cannot wait. I keep reading the catalog and the guides.

May God bless your efforts in the home today!
Katrina
"abrightmom"

I would combine both boys in Bigger next year. I think it would be a great level for both of them and make an easier year for you. Have you looked at the extensions? If you thought your oldest needed more you could always add some or all of those. I will let others address some of your other questions. They could both use Rod and Staff 2 or you could do Rod and Staff 2 with the younger and Rod and Staff 3 with the older (one lesson per day--I don't believe this one is scheduled in the book, but I could be wrong.) Preparing schedules Rod and Staff 3 and 4, so the next year both would be scheduled anyway.

I agree with that advice-putting both boys in Bigger, with extensions for the older one. I'm not familiar with the grammar you are currently using, but R&S 2 is pretty basic stuff; again, I think I'd look at book 3 for your older son.

Hi Katrina!

My thoughts were Bigger for the boys, too. I know there are several moms that have moved from MFW Adventures into Bigger and say that it's a step up in work and follows it nicely. You have the guides, so you can check them out to see the work required. (For me, I actually have to start using them with my kids to get a real feel of the work and content though. Skimming the boxes always makes even the difficult skills look super easy. Maybe that's why I like using Carrie's guides so much! ) Anyway, I can tell you that we loved the amount of meat in Bigger when we started with HOD. This was the 1st guide that my oldest did and he was a toss-up on the placement chart between Bigger and Preparing.

I love HOD's LA!! Carrie has done a wonderful job of including all the necessary skills to be taught, but keeping it do-able in the day to day so that LA doesn't take a HUGE amount of time. The balance of HOD is one of my favorite things. If I were you, I think that I'd go with R&S 3 for your oldest (if you think he's covered everything in 2). There really isn't any writing in level 2 - just basic grammar. There are some great threads on dictation...and moms addicted to spelling lists sharing how they saw better results with just dictation than the lists or doing both. I'm not great at finding them though. Julie????

Kathleen

Ladies,

These replies are confirming what the nagging "I think this is the best plan" thoughts have been telling me . Bigger looks GREAT and it's nice to hear that many have gone into Bigger after using MFW Adventures. I DO love the LA plans and how balanced & integrated it all is. I enjoyed reading the threads outlining the "whys" behind the choices. That is so helpful!

I'm just not sure about studied dictation for spelling. I want to use it . . . eeeeeks. It scares me though. Rules are tools that help to solve the problem of a word we don't know how to spell. We don't use random lists now but use a "learn the phonograms and rules" approach. In fact, we were using All About Spelling (I do love this.) and moved to The Phonics Road (an all in one program). My current dilemma (and it's a doozy for me! ) is whether or not to set aside the long term plan to use PR and go with HOD's LA. That is what I want to do (and DH is on board either way - it's tough to advise me as he's not as invested in the researching process) but it is a difficult decision to make to set it aside. So much has been invested in getting PR up and running including folding it into a long term plan. It is indeed a process to put something so integral aside . . . I'm VERY open to it though .

Thanks for the counsel that you've given to far!!!! I'm going to get that Bigger guide out again (oh goody! ) and spend a little more time with it. I will PRAY about the LA decision. Ugh. I don't want to make it!

Katrina

Could you do everything except for just the dictation? And then still do your spelling? Could you maybe do your spelling half speed? I think studied dictation works fabulously, but if you've already got this program going, I think I might find a way to just integrate it into HOD.

Mommamo wrote:Could you do everything except for just the dictation? And then still do your spelling? Could you maybe do your spelling half speed? I think studied dictation works fabulously, but if you've already got this program going, I think I might find a way to just integrate it into HOD.

Yes, for sure and I'm definitely pondering this. Phonics Road is an all-in-one deal so that is why I'm having difficulty with the idea of change . . . it's throwing out the whole thing. I honestly think that meshing PR and HOD would be tough. Some of the qualities I love about HOD include the integration of skills across the plans, the balance, and the progression of skills. If I can't let go of the rules approach (at least initially; I may have to be weaned ) then I'd use All About Spelling alongside the dictation . . . and the idea of half speed AAS is a fantastic one. That wouldn't overwhelm us.

I am starting (just starting) to believe that studied dictation may produce strong results as long as I am comfortable tackling difficult words or patterns along the way (i.e. if I have a good working knowledge of rules so that if the need presents itself I can teach my kiddo). Another issue that has presented itself as I've been reading/researching here and on TWTM forum is the issue of "retention" and "application". I've read numerous reports of kids acing tests but then missing words in their writing. I never thought about that before . . . so I'm chewing on that today .

I've also been reading about how a rules based approach can be overwhelming for some kids . . . spouting off the rule (having it memorized) isn't the same thing as being able to apply it. Chewing on that too...

The last tidbit for thought is a chat I had with my DS8 this morning. I asked him a few questions (tried not to be leading but that's hard when I'm looking for specifics) and he thinks that he spells by "thinking about how the word should look". When he spells a word orally (and it's wrong) and then I write it on the whiteboard he can often see instantly that it doesn't look right. He can then correct it on the spot. THAT was revelatory! He also said that he thinks reading has helped him learn to spell. I know that isn't the case for many kids though.

Oy!

I agree you could do Bigger with the both of them and just expect less from your younger ds (especially in the area of writing and narrations). I think your dd will love LHFHG too. We did Bigger Hearts and LHFHG at the same time years back and found it very enjoyable. Your biggest teaching year will be in Bigger Hearts, and then after that, your dc will work toward more and more independence. We have loved this progression toward independence as we have dc spaced 3-4 years apart. It seems about the time the oldest is getting more independent is when the next child really needs me, and this has helped me divide my time nicely so everyone truly gets what they need, and we still finish school in a very timely fashion.

As far as dictation, I too had a hard time with just doing that. Here are some posts that will help you learn more about dictation and how effective it is:

Encouraging Dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4877
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5558

Carrie explains CM Dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5661
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5186
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=925

Praise for long-term effects of dictation:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5645&p=41374#p41374

What would be the harm in giving dictation a chance for a solid year? I think you'd begin to see good results that carryover into dc's own writing. Dictation deserves a good year or two though, as it is tougher than it looks and takes a bit for dc to truly internalize it. I have found nothing compares to it. However, you can easily do your own spelling if you are not ready to give dictation a go. I'd not let that hold me back from all the rest of HOD's blessings! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

my3sons wrote:
What would be the harm in giving dictation a chance for a solid year? I think you'd begin to see good results that carryover into dc's own writing. Dictation deserves a good year or two though, as it is tougher than it looks and takes a bit for dc to truly internalize it. I have found nothing compares to it. However, you can easily do your own spelling if you are not ready to give dictation a go. I'd not let that hold me back from all the rest of HOD's blessings! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Julie (and the other ladies who replied),

Thank-you for your encouragement and advice! The links were FANTASTIC and my questions have been answered! I am seeing more and more how well put together Heart of Dakota is! Julie, there is NO harm in giving dictation a chance for a solid year and my DH agrees! I'm going to consult the guides I have here (Beyond & Bigger) and figure out what to do with the boys now on that front. We won't change to HOD full time mid-stream this year since our current program is going fine and we're 12 weeks in. But I can definitely use the English/Spelling recommendations now. We are also using the emerging readers schedule and love that too! Can't wait to fully belong here and for my signature to reflect our full-time use of HOD.

I have also had the privilege of sharing HOD with several friends lately. Many moms that I've shared with have been SO blessed in learning about Heart of Dakota and are considering using it in their home schools.

Thanks again for such a lovely place to fellowship and learn! I LOVE this message board.

Katrina

I'm glad to help, Katrina! This board means the world to me too. I can't wait for you to start HOD, and hope you enjoy it like we do!
In Christ,
Julie