After using the placement guide...

[runninghappy]

Hello All,
I am hoping to find some further guidance in placing my children within HOD. My question is primarily regarding my 4th grader. According to the guide, she placed into Preparing. However, we have read the spine book for Preparing as well as many of the others. Also, she has never done American history. She is difficult to keep challenged, so I hesitate a bit about using the 7-9 level. Any input about this would be appreciated.

I am also wondering whether it would be wise to attempt using three levels during our first year of Heart of Dakota. I have learned that multi- level teaching is not good for us!

Thank you

[8arrows]

What are your other children's ages and what guides were you already planning on using? That could effect our advice.

[MelInKansas]

There are so many options, but it is really best overall to keep your daughter placed where she fits on the placement chart. So you will be repeating some history and some other things, but I am guessing that there are activities and things in HOD that she has not done before. Another thing you will enjoy is the way all of the resources are woven together, and the way your DD will be beginning independent work in Preparing. She may get a much deeper understanding of the books, even the ones she has already read/heard. I agree that having read some of them before is not really ideal, but it would be better than having her in a lower guide that doesn't challenge her and help her grow to the next level, or in a higher guide that she's not ready for yet. Also if you went down to Bigger Hearts then what would you do the following year? If she didn't have the skill development in Preparing she might not be ready yet for CTC.

I agree with 8arrows though, it would be helpful to know what other children you have and where they place, for example if you were going to have another child in Bigger Hearts it might work better to combine anyway, then you add on extensions for the older one.

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board, running happy! If you could share the ages of your dc, as well as any details about each of them with the first page of the placement chart in mind, we will all chime in with specific advice. Here is a link to the placement chart...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

I'd not worry about the history spines, should your dd place squarely in PHFHG. I bet she hasn't done "Grandpa's Box" - which totally changes the feel and flow of CHOW. "Grandpa's Box" is one of my all-time forever favorite books to read with my dc!!! I think you'd find all of HOD's activities, books, Bible connections, Storytime read alouds, etc. totally would change the feel of CHOW.

Also, we do 3 guides, and it's not hard - honest. HOD writes guides so multiple guides can be very successfully used at the same time. I work part-time, and my husband travels often. My parents are also needing much from me right now healthwise. I know everyone is very busy, but honestly, if I can manage it and ENJOY it, I know you can too. So, should you find looking at the placement chart that your dc are miles apart, take heart - HOD can make that work for you too. That being said, combining does also work very well with HOD - as long as placement is quite accurate. We will all be glad to help with this and chat through options - we'll check back for your thoughts on placement and for your sharing about each of your dc. Looking forward to getting to know you here!

In Christ,
Julie