trying to decide which package to use!!

3jsmom · Post by **3jsmom** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:13 am

Hi! I have been researching HOD and am really impressed! I am trying to decide if I can put my ds and dd in the same group. My daughter is 7 1/2 and son is 10. (also have a very busy almost 3yo!) Looks like dd is ready for Bigger Hearts and ds is ready for Preparing Hearts but is anyone using the extensions for Bigger and is it enough for a 10 yo? It would be great to have them together on the history and science and save some money, too! Thanks for your input.

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:32 pm

Welcome to the HOD Board!

You've come to a great place -HOD is such a blessing in our home, and I think it will be in yours too!

But before I give any advice, can you let me know if you have had a chance to check out the placement chart (link below)? If so, could you share a bit about each of your dc in regard to the first page of the placement chart? That is so helpful, as we all know age is not the best indicator for what individual dc need.

I've just sometimes given advice only to find out more about dc and realize a totally different plan would be advised.

Thanks, and then we will surely all chime in here!

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

In Christ,
Julie

Mom2Monkeys · Post by **Mom2Monkeys** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:01 pm

As long as you examine their skills and place them properly, then yes!! My 9 and 7yo kids place into Preparing and Bigger, respectively...I'm combining them into Bigger with extensions for the older this fall. They'll be in 2nd and 5th grade and will be 10 and almost 8.

So, as Julie suggested, let us know how they place from the placement chart and tell us about them, and you'll get plenty of advice to help you reach a decision you're happy with!

pjdobro · Post by **pjdobro** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:21 pm

Welcome to HOD! Here is another recent post that might interest you: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8381 I know that situation is different, but the poster is considering using Bigger with the extensions for her 10 year old. I thought that might help you a little to read that discussion. After you are able to fill us in more on your own dc, I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas more specific for your situation too.

3jsmom · Post by **3jsmom** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:17 am

Thanks, ladies for your responses! I've gone over the placement chart again and dd (7) should be ready for Bigger ( I think she would be at the higher end of Beyond). DS would be in Preparing, but definitely could use work on mastering his skills.

He can get off task pretty easily and needs to get better at working independently. I guess that's why I'm wondering if with the extensions, he would be ok in Bigger. Since we will be starting mid-year, if it seems to easy, then maybe we could move up in the fall? I will check out the other post that was suggested, too.

Thanks so much for your input. I'm really looking forward to getting started!!
Dara

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:32 am

The extensions are written for dc ages 10-11 years old. In Bigger Hearts the extensions cover both history and science, and they include higher level independent LA type follow-ups that you will monitor for him, so yes, they will be enough for your 10 yo! For his reading instruction, he can do Drawn into the Heart of Reading Level 4/5. You can choose to use books from HOD's DITHOR book packs for him or choose your own. All that is left is choosing a level of R & S English for his grammar/writing, and they are easy to schedule, doing just a lesson a day, and a level of math and dictation should be chosen. Yes, he will be just fine with this plan!

If Bigger Hearts proves too difficult for your 7 yo for some reason, you can move her down to Beyond Little Hearts easily, and have your older ds continue on so he will be prepared for Preparing Hearts the next year. But starting with them combined is a good idea!

In Christ,
Julie

3jsmom · Post by **3jsmom** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:33 pm

Thanks, Julie! That helps a lot.

Now, one more question... we try to follow CM, but probably lean a little to the eclectic side, too. My husband has a crazy schedule and is off in the middle of the week. We have co-op on Fridays, and try to have Saturdays as a school day, but that doesn't always happen. Will I make myself crazy trying to keep up or is HOD flexible enough for us? Guess that should have been my first question! It seems like it will be from what I've read, and I'm really intrigued!
Thanks for all the advice!

Blessings,
Dara

my3sons · Post by **my3sons** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:50 pm

3jsmom wrote:Thanks, Julie! That helps a lot. Now, one more question... we try to follow CM, but probably lean a little to the eclectic side, too. My husband has a crazy schedule and is off in the middle of the week. We have co-op on Fridays, and try to have Saturdays as a school day, but that doesn't always happen. Will I make myself crazy trying to keep up or is HOD flexible enough for us? Guess that should have been my first question! It seems like it will be from what I've read, and I'm really intrigued!
Thanks for all the advice!
Blessings,
Dara

HOD is flexible, and can be picked up and taught without prep.

This past thread may be encouraging to you, as there are many moms with pretty crazy schedules schooling happily with HOD.

I will say, it is very helpful for me to decide when I want my dc to complete a school year, and then work back from that date, putting together a hypothetical schedule so that I can really see how often we need to do school and how many breaks are really possible to still be able to finish when I want. School does have to happen, or we get behind - but we enjoy school - so it works out! With "crazy" schedules, I think it is really important to think when you WILL do school, which is true for using any curriculum, and which is a priority we have as homeschool moms anyway. I hope the link I gave you helps you think through how you can plan your school year too

:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3591&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

There is also a wonderful schedule's thread here:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2093

In Christ,
Julie

3jsmom · Post by **3jsmom** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 3:23 pm

Thanks so much, Julie!! The other posts were great, and your advice, too!

I think the Lord is really showing me that this is where we need to be. I like being flexible, but do agree, we do still have to do school! I think the lack of structure causes me extra worry in that I don't think I am doing enough. But as I reminded myself in my journal a few days ago, their character is more important than their academics right now, as is the quality of time we spend together. We have been trying to be on a year-round schedule and I think that is better for all of us. We are in NC and July and August get too hot to be outside for long. I also love being flexible with my dh's schedule, if they were in school they would hardly see him at all!

Thanks again for your advice, it truly is a blessing!
Dara

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trying to decide which package to use!!

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