heartofdakota.com

Hi! This is my first post EVER on any forum! We are planning to switch from SL to HOD next year because I think the program seems more integrated, cohesive and incorporates building faith into the daily lessons a little better than I have experienced with SL. Also, I'm looking to simplify and I love how science, math and art are included with the daily lessons.
Anyhow... My dds will be 7 and 9 in the fall. My question is this...even though their age range falls into the Bigger Hearts I am considering the Preparing because we completed the first half of world history this year and I hate to leave the girls hanging! They LOVED ancient history! Or should I just use Bigger this year and know they will probably love that as well? Thanks...I'm just confused and searching for information as this year has been very draining for me!

Have you looked at the placement chart? That should be your first step.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

HOD placement is usually determined by skill levels, not content. If you choose by content, you will end up having to tweak for skills. I prefer to use it as open and go as possible.

Welcome! Bramble did a great job of pointing you to the placement chart. She's so right in that at HOD developmental skill level makes so much more difference for correct placement than the history cycle. So, if you get a chance to check out the link that she shared and place each of your kiddos individually on the first page of the placement chart that will help so much in seeing if they can be combined and if so in which program.

If you get a chance to pop back and share where each child places on the first page only of the chart, then we'll all have a common starting point of reference from which we can discuss possible options for your family.

Blessings,
Carrie

The ages and abilities of my two oldest dds (who will be 7 and 9 in fall) would fall in with Bigger. I also have a dd who will be 5 and in K in the fall. With her, I don't plan to do anything formal other than teaching reading and Singapore earlybird math. She loves to tag along in all other areas. My preference is to keep everyone together as much as possible. I've used Sonlight up until this year and considered TOG, but I know my limitations and with four children, I need the planning and integration that HOD provides. I particularly like that dictation, narration, spelling, vocab, science and art are related to the what's already being studied. One of my reasons in switching from SL is I love the character trait focus and a little more biblical integrations. Anyhow, I think Bigger is what we will go with if we switch to HOD. We love SL, so honestly I still have one foot in HOD and one in SL. Sorry for the ramblings!

Thanks for sharing a bit more about your kiddos! If you're thinking that they fit best in Bigger Hearts, then that is where I'd be inclined to place them too. We wouldn't recommend for a 7 year old to do Preparing Hearts, as the target age range for the skills in that guide is ages 8-10 with extensions for ages 11-12.

You'll have better success with HOD, if you stay more closely to where your kiddos place on the first page of the placement chart especially.

If you have other questions, ask away. We'll be glad to help!

Blessings,
Carrie