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Hi ladies,
We are going to be first time HOD users this year and I am soooooo excited. My daughter will turn 7 at the end of August and we will be trying Beyond Little Hearts. I am a former public school educator and though my heart bends toward CM approach (and my daughter definitely loves that style) I struggle with the need to "check off" skills. She can not stand to write and does not like to read (although she loves me reading to her). Both due to the fact that she has a bit of the first born perfectionism in her and because it takes labor and focus (she is a wiggly and adventurous one). We did Rod and Staff first grade LA this year. It was "ok", but she was very bored with it and I didn't see any transferring into writing anything. What do you recommend for her age. I know she has to write/read, but I am so afraid that too strong a push/too much will push her even more off the edge. I would love to use a Rod and Staff because it caters to my need to "check things off" but am feeling uncertain for her. I looked at your book Drawn Into...it says 7 is a starting age. But, if she is not even wanting to write two sentences is it too much for her right now?

I would appreciate any input. I have been a mess about what to do as I don't want her to be too behind the gun in reading/writing but also don't want to push something and make her dislike it even more.

Blessings,
Sarah

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. This is going to be a great year for the both of you! I think it is very wise to ease your daughter into things. I think a little time and a little fun may take the edge off her hatred of reading and writing. Carrie has done such a fabulous job of meeting our children where they are and helping them grow (spiritually and academically) with guides that are tailored to suit their skill level. Snuggle up with your daughter this next year and have fun!

Having said all that, I think I can answer some of your questions.
Writing: Handwriting is taken care of by the copywork portion of the Beyond guide. It is located in the bottom of the LA box. If you prefer to purchase a handwriting curriculum, Carrie suggests A Reason For Handwriting (or one other one) in the Little Hearts guide and you could buy whatever level is appropriate for her. Level A?

If you are speaking of creative or original writing, CM takes a little bit of a different approach (as best I understand it). She focuses more on letting the child hear good writing (storytime, history, Bible, etc.) and see good writing (copying the poems, reading the ERs) so that the child will start thinking like a good writer. Then, when it does come time to do some more original writing (3rd or 4th grade-ish?) they will have a better sense of what good writing looks like (and they will have better fine motor skills to match). Carrie uses Write With The Best in the CTC guide.

I would also take a look at the emerging readers rather than DITHOR. IMHO, it sounds like it would be too much for her. The emerging readers go from "Amelia Bedielia" and "Frog and Toad" up to "The Courage of Sarah Noble" (which is like a 3 or 4 in reading level). She would typically read one chapter a day and answer 3 questions in the Emerging Readers. The 3 questions are based on Blooms Taxonomy and vary each day. You said she doesn't like reading and it is laborious for her so this may be a better place to start? I also found it very helpful to develop my son's comprehension. It was important to take the time to develop his confidence and comprehension skills.

I hope that helps to answer your question. I'm sure some others will chime in.

Hello!

If I were you (and I was when my son was 7 ), I would not do Drawn Into just yet. She is only 7. There is SO much time ahead for those things. I would focus my efforts on just getting her comfortable with doing Beyond as it is written. If you do this I think you will find that she will get so much more out of Drawn Into 12 to 18 months from now. Also, just take this time to get used to CM if you've never used the method before.

I held off on Drawn Into with my son until about 6 months ago and he just LOVES it now. I am so glad I waited. If they are just not ready there is nothing wrong with that. My philosophy is that literature analysis in elementary should be FUN. Wait until it can be fun!! Waiting won't hurt a bit.

Sbarr - welcome to the HOD Board! I so understand how as a former teacher you want to check things off - that was me too. But the way HOD teaches dc to learn just breathes LIFE into learning! It also covers all of the necessary academics - and then some. Once you teach this way, you will be hooked. The living books are so interesting. The hands-on activities have purpose and can actually be done by the dc. The day is just the right length for each age of dc. Best of all, you get to share the Lord with your dc each day in a personal meaningful way that may very well effect their life for all of eternity. You can check off the boxes in the Beyond guide, and each time you do, know you are really checking off important skills that have been learned - they are just wrapped in a lovely package of delightful learning. I think you will enjoy Beyond so much! It is such an inspiring look at early American history. I also think you will enjoy Drawn into the Heart of Reading (DITHOR) too - but not yet. Your dd is going to get to enjoy DITHOR for many years to come - through the eighth or ninth grade.

sbarr wrote:...I looked at your book Drawn Into...it says 7 is a starting age. But, if she is not even wanting to write two sentences is it too much for her right now?I would appreciate any input. I have been a mess about what to do as I don't want her to be too behind the gun in reading/writing but also don't want to push something and make her dislike it even more.
Blessings,
Sarah

There is absolutely no need to jump the gun and start it before your dd is writing 2 sentences - good question! I would instead get her enjoying reading by doing the "Emerging Reader's Set" (ERS). They are wonderful books! My sons were able to read quite far above the ERS when they did it, but they needed to learn better comprehension. Reading needed to be easier for a year while they just learned to truly enjoy it, and they also needed to learn beginning oral narration skills and better comprehension skills. They needed to become better writers as well. If you really feel the beginning of the ERS is far too easy for dd, then you can certainly begin in the middle, as the books get incrementally harder. Amelia Bedelia is a Level 3 book. Prairie School is a Level 4 - in case that is helpful. If you end up starting the ERS in the middle, then you can finish out the year with DITHOR, when your dd has come along more in her reading/writing skills. Or you can just enjoy the whole ERS and do DITHOR next year. Either option is a good one!

So, now, just for fun - I thought you'd enjoy looking at the "Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory" photobook...
http://heartofdakotasphotobooks.shutterfly.com/26

And, just so you know that we all have pretty interesting journeys to this life we call "homeschooling", I thought you'd like this thread...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3507&p=26017

One more to show you that CM style skills provide higher level thinking...
Higher Level Thinking in HOD from Carrie:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8178
Testing vs. CM Approach within HOD:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4693&p=34480

If you're still reading, one more to show why we all love HOD...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8268&p=60839#p60839

HTH - but keep asking questions until you are set!
In Christ,
Julie