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Hi everyone,

My name is Lyn and I'm new to this forum. I've been homeschooling my two children for four years now. We've mainly used Sonlight, but I've come to realise this year that it doesn't fit with my daughters style of learning. She is definitely a visual learner so constant reading doesn't work with her. I'm looking to change curriculum for next year and I'm torn between HOD and MFW. I'd appreciate any help you can give me in regards to how hands on HOD is in terms of activities. Also if you are able to compare the two curriculums for me that would be wonderful too.

We are at the end of our four year history rotation and are due to study ancient history next school year. Therefore, I would like to start HOD with Creation to Christ. My daughter will be ten in May (currently in grade 4). Another question I would like to ask is can I use the same curriculum for two children? My son is 12 and is grade 6. With Sonlight I have been able to use the same core with them both, but obviously they have grade appropriate LA and math. Using the same core curriculum works really well, so I'd like to continue to do that if I can.

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Many thanks,
Lyn

Hi Lyn,

Welcome to the HOD board. Both of your dc fit the age range of CTC, "This guide is geared for students ages 9-11 with extensions provided for 6th and 7th graders." It's a good idea to check the placement chart just to make sure that is the best placement for them: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php It is usually recommended that if you combine, you place the younger child in the program that fits her and then add the extensions for the older child. There are lots of varied activities in HOD. Check out the photo book for CTC to see some of the hands on that are done in that program: http://heartofdakotasphotobooks.shutterfly.com/31 Also if you look on the Weekly Review board, you will see several ladies that currently have dc in CTC. They have been doing some incredible projects. I especially like all of the paintings that their dc have been doing. We haven't gotten to CTC yet, but it looks like fun! If you search the board you will find lots of information about MFW versus HOD and how they are alike and different. Here is one to get your started: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1446 Feel free to ask more questions. The ladies here are wonderful at sharing their knowledge and experience.

Hi Lyn!
Well, I can't speak for MFW (I know others can), but I came from SL. We had finished SL 4 when I made the switch to Preparing Hearts for His Glory (overview of World History) last year...and I have no regrets! Now, about your questions: In history, specifically for CTC, there is a hands on history project every week that is scheduled over 3 days. There are also time line activities once weekly that include drawing, and a research topic weekly. There is an independent history block daily that has anything from listening to Diane Waring cd's, copy work and/or drawing using Draw & Write Through History. For Science, there is an experiment every week with things you will most likely have in your home. There are also things like copying Scripture, answering questions, making a book of animal tracks over a period of time. For poetry, the kiddos create a beautiful watercolor painting weekly. In comparison to SL, both have great living books, but HOD is definitely more hands-on.

Combining: Yes, you can combine your kiddos in HOD. The most important thing, though, is that they have the necessary skills for the level you choose. So, check out the placement chart (maybe someone else will give the link, as I am not that computer literate - sorry) and make sure that you have them placed in the right program skill-wise. Then, if your 12yo needs a little more challenge, you can add in the Extension package. It is scheduled with optional assignments in the back of the instructor's manuel. HTH!!

Here's a thread comparing the two programs. HTH!
OOPS , now I see Patty already gave you that link.

Hi Lyn,

We've used several years of MFW (from 2nd grade through 6th), and we enjoyed it, but from the 1850-Modern Times guide through high school, it just wasn't what we were looking for.

God led us to HOD last year, and we're just about done with our first year (Creation to Christ) and loving it! It's everything we could've hoped for and more. It's SO Charlotte Mason-y, and thorough, and well-balanced, and "do-able". The weekly activities are easy to do and use common items around the house. Plus, Carrie breaks them up so nicely that the child does just part of a project each day (3x/wk.), and it never feels overwhelming. The literature and living book selections are wonderful, and there is narration (written and oral), poetry study, watercolor painting, daily Bible quiet time, wonderful audio selections, and a beautiful notebook that the kids create throughout the year (and which will continue with subsequent notebooks for the rest of the history cycle). There's so much it's hard to put into one post.

It sounds like your kids would both fit nicely into CTC, but double-check the placement chart to make sure. You can always add "Extension" books for your older child if you want to keep them together and need to "beef up" the history readings, but it sounds like they would both do well with just the regular packages.

Welcome! We came to HoD from Sonlight also. The differences I found were that HoD is much richer in skill-building and variety. It also is more Christ-focused. The reasons I chose HoD over MFW were the fantastic teacher's guide and choices in books. I also felt that it was stronger in language arts.

We also are doing CTC and loving it. Our schoolday (which is usually done by 1pm) is full of reading, writing, drawing, painting, listening to fascinating audios, singing, doing simple history projects and science experiments, poetry, and using the Bible. My son's writing skills have absolutely blossomed this year. HoD is a great program for those looking for lots of activities, but they are able to be done by the student which makes it so much easier on Mom. I'm really looking forward to completing the history cycle with HoD.

Thanks everyone, it's been really helpful to read your comments. Thanks for the links too. I'm off to look them up now

Lyn

Hi Lyn, and welcome to the HOD Board! Here is a thread that will answer your question well too...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8268&p=60247

There are many, many reasons I use HOD, but the top 5 are...
Christ-centered
Academically strong
Outstanding LIVING Books
Doable hands-on
No prep, laid-out guide

You've come to a good place by joining this board - these ladies are amazing - gracious, encouraging, Christian counsel, wise - come to think of it, I guess this board is yet another reason I use HOD! And now you are a part of that too - welcome - can't wait to get to know ya!

In Christ,
Julie

Hi Lyn.....

This is a great question you have asked, and you've gotten great feedback as well as good links to answer your questions!

I second Julie's list of reasons we love and use HOD!!

A few things I wanted to add to what has already been said......HOD really reinforces the way I want to teach my kids!

Also, (this has become a big one for me) it has given me so much peace of mind to know that I can truly trust the content of the books that I am putting in my children's hands. I KNOW KNOW KNOW that I do not have to screen the books for content or prepare to explain something in a book they read that is an issue that they were not ready to hear. Does that make sense?? ( I once knew a woman who was using a "christian" curriculum that found out that her son's independent reading book contained a rape scene!!! She found out after he had already read it! That broke my heart) The book and reading choices in HOD match the values of reading content that we have for our children.

Hope you can join on us the HOD trail!! Happy researching!!

Needing Him every hour,
Liz

Well, I can't speak for HOD yet, but we used MFW for a year with Adventures (2nd grade). Throughout the year, the work felt more like busy work than learning, and I was constantly having to supplement with other things. It was too simplistic, IMO, and the Bible work just felt tacked on. By the end of the year, we were just checking off a list just to get it done, rather than having a meaningful educational experience. And the projects (oh, the projects!) were sometimes quite absurd. We baked homemade bread twice, and one activity called for making soup from scratch, which is ok if you have time for that in your day. A lot of the time I had to skip it because I didn't have the right materials, or I just couldn't afford beeswax, or whatever ingredient I needed for something.

I never got to Countries and Cultures, so the older materials may be meatier in content, but after speaking with a friend who used it and was unhappy, I just decided to go with something else. I have a lot of friends, however, who use MFW and adore it.

Another quick question. To those of you who use more than one HOD program with your kids, is it easy to manage?

Thanks,
Lyn

As to your question about using multiple guides....

we use three guides....I need to update my signature. We are using Little Hearts for His Glory, Bigger Hearts, and CtC, and amazingly, doing so with great success!!! Praise the Lord!!!

I have found the main key to multiple guides is SCHEDULING! A solid scheudule really makes it very doable. A schedule keeps our day ticking along, even when I am having a lower functioning day. The kids know what they are supposed to be doing, and if I am feeling a little brainless on a given day, all I have to do is look at my schedule and plod along!!!

I feel like that is the most important aspect of using multiple guides successfully.

Another day of choosing joy,
Liz