What program to choose that may cover Australian Curriculum

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Rebecca Ann
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:26 am

What program to choose that may cover Australian Curriculum

Post by Rebecca Ann » Tue Nov 11, 2014 3:32 am

Hello from Australia,

I have been researching HOD for my children and like what I see so far however I am trying to see what program would fit alongside the Australian Curriculum for year 8. My daughter will be 13 next year and will need to study the years between 650 - 1700s for History ,and I thought Resurrection to Reformation would work but when looking at the science it is focusing on a different area. For year 8 I am meant to be teaching Biological Science -cells and multicellular organisms,Chemical science - different states of matter with motion and arrangement of particles, Earth and Space Science - Rocks and Minerals, Physical Science - Energy whereas this program is focusing on Astronomy and Weather. Should I purchase Resurrection to Reformation but complete our own science or is there a different program that would cover both the history and science taking into account the Australian Curriculum?
I also have a son who will be 9 and in year 4 and I suspect I would need a different program for him.
If anyone could provide any direction it would be most apprreciated.

God Bless
Rebecca

Mumkins
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Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by Mumkins » Tue Nov 11, 2014 12:18 pm

That could be tricky. Are you required by law to cover stuff in a certain year or do you just like to stick to what your country teaches? I'm in Canada. I supplement certain years. My province has no regulation though.
7 awesome kids!

3 graduated
4 at home this fall
DD6 Beyond
DS10 Preparing
DS13 MTMM
DS16 online high school

Rebecca Ann
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:26 am

Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by Rebecca Ann » Tue Nov 11, 2014 6:36 pm

Thanks for your reply.
Yes a moderator visits once a year to see if we are following the curriculum however I have been doing distance education from home so I was registered with a school therefore the moderator was not required to come.Since October 2014 though I have left the school and going out on my own which means now I will qualify for this visit. From friends who have already been down this path I think its not that strict as long as you can show you have covered the topics over a couple of years, however being my first time I thought I would try and fit as close to the curriculum as possible.

As there seems to be so many great resources out there I wasnt sure whether this program would fit compared to me sourcing lots of different resouces instead. I have been able to trial PHHFHG from a friend this term teaching both kids together which we have enjoyed but also seeing some areas that we would need to adjust eg I think I would separate the kids next year.

If anyone who has used RTR I would love to hear whether it would be suited for a 13 year old and your experiences with the program.

Thanks for your time.

Rebecca

Rice
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Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by Rice » Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:09 am

My 12 yo DS is doing CTC with extensions this year which will put him in Res to Rev as a 13/14 year old, so he will do extensions. He won't do the astronomy, either, since we've already done that and because of his age I'm going to jump him ahead to do a higher level science. I haven't looked yet at whether we'll pick from Rev to Rev or MTM or something completely different yet, though (one year at a time - we're still settling in to this year of 3 guides for 4 kids, our first with HOD).

As for history, I haven't had to add any this year (the joys of Canada being a young country and having no written history in the CTC time period) but I, too, will have to supplement at some point (as I did in our last curriculum).

As for your 9yo, he could do either Bigger, Preparing or CTC, depending where he fits in the placement chart come spring. (http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php) My 9yo is doing CTC with his older brother but their 10yo sister is in Preparing. He'd find Preparing boring while CTC would be overwhelming for her.

Blessings,
Rice

DS 21 - GRAD '20: after WG
DD 19 - GRAD '21: after WH
DS 17 - GRAD '22; did CTC-WH + 2yrs non-HOD (🇨🇦)
DS 15 not using a guide this year (DONE: LHFHG-MTMM)
DS 13 MTMM (DONE: Prep-Rev2Rev)
DS 11 +
DD 9 CTC (DONE: Prep)
6yo DS phonics

MelInKansas
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Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by MelInKansas » Wed Nov 12, 2014 2:33 pm

What do the curriculum guidelines specify? Is it just History time period and Science? Are there literature requirements as well?

I think you could easily adapt HOD to what you need, maybe picking from a different year's science. Math and reading/literature are also very adaptable. Res to Ref with extensions would certainly fulfill your history requirements. Adapting it this way makes it much less "open and go" which is one of the great features of HOD that I enjoy, but I think it could be done. The Bible study portion of each of the guides is also very rich and adds in so much.

I pray for wisdom for you as you make decisions about curriculum. There are a lot of great choices out there! But for HOD I love the ease of use, the excellent selections they have made in every area, the gradual growth and increase in challenge that helps the child gain independence, and how Bible centered it is.
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"

DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven

Mumkins
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Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by Mumkins » Wed Nov 12, 2014 5:55 pm

I'm also wondering if you could show them the scope and sequence chart? Maybe if they see that you'll be covering it and it is planned out and show them any specific supplements you intend to plan, they'd ok it?
7 awesome kids!

3 graduated
4 at home this fall
DD6 Beyond
DS10 Preparing
DS13 MTMM
DS16 online high school

Rebecca Ann
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Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:26 am

Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by Rebecca Ann » Thu Nov 13, 2014 3:05 am

Thanks for your suggestions and info.
There are literature and Maths and other requirements but these I can easierly cover I think so I was trying to focus on choosing the right content for History and Science. We have been using Preparing for this term for both kids and it seems like such a full day and we are not getting to some of the material. I'm reading to them together and running most of the lessons together which is very time consuming.My daughter would easierly be able to go off on her own if she had her own program so I think if I choose HOD this would help.
Does anyone know what other HOD program could cover my science requirements mentioned before and whether you can choose it instead of the one allocated to the program?
Im loving the way the Bible is through the whole program. I'm praying that I can settle soon on a decision as the research is very time consuming.

Many blessings to you all for your help.

Rebecca

MelInKansas
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm

Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by MelInKansas » Thu Nov 13, 2014 6:00 am

Since she's about an 8th grader and if she's pretty much "on grade level" for reading and stuff she could possibly do any of the programs up to MTMM, I would suggest looking at each of those (CTC up to MTMM, maybe even the high school sciences that are recommended if she is really bright) and seeing what science is included. CTC for example has the Apologia zoology book and an anatomy book, this may fulfill some of the Biology requirements, but I don't know what is contained in any levels above that. However if you wanted to use it as HOD has written what you would end up doing then is buying the science books and the guide for whichever level you end up doing the science for. You'd get your history and associated activities from Res to Ref and take your science box and activities from the other guide. You could also consider adding extensions if you end up using science in CTC for example, it seems like she might be above that level and could use more in-depth study. You might want to see which of the extension books seems to focus on science, some are history topics and some are science topics and just choose the science related ones.

I know there will be a biology course in one of the High School guides and that is pretty much a self-contained course that is just scheduled in the guide so you could also look at using that. I just don't know what is recommended, maybe it's with the new World History package?

HOD is great at discussing specialized options with you on the phone, so if you can it might be worth a phone call.
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"

DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven

Rebecca Ann
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:26 am

Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by Rebecca Ann » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:27 am

HI,

Could someone advise me of the best option when purchasing from HOD. I need it to be shipped to Australia and to avoid high costs I thought I could buy the minimum from HOD whatever their cheapest shipping cost is and then source the other books from book depository as they ship for free. I am looking at buying CTC with science and the history interest,girl interest,extension package,the philippians cd and write with the best. I would love some advise as I need to order soon so we receive it in time for our school year Feb 2015. Does anyone know how long it take to get to Australia.

Thanks for your help.
Rebecca

MelInKansas
Posts: 1700
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:32 pm

Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by MelInKansas » Wed Dec 10, 2014 8:07 am

I know it probably costs a lot but you should call HOD and talk to them on the phone. You will get much clearer and faster advice that way, and I know they will be understanding of your need to ship as few books from the U.S. as possible. It seems like too big of a question to answer here on the forum.

Though one thing I will say is that it's great to get as many of the core books as possible (History spines, and History interest) from HOD to make sure you have the editions that are referred to in the Teacher's guide. Sometimes they use page numbers for the book and not chapters and if you have a different edition you will be trying to figure out which pages you are supposed to read. Or vocabulary is cited as on a certain page. I don't know if it's the same for Extension books. You would want to take the list on HOD's website (or catalog) and see how many you can get from the book depository and what is worth it.

Again, call or email HOD for your questions on how much shipping to Australia costs and how long it will take to get there. They can probably advise you.
Melissa
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end"

DD12 - Rev to Rev + DITHOR 6/7/8
DD10 - CTC + DITHOR 2/3
DD7 - Bigger + ERs
DS5 - LHFHG
DD2 - ABC123
2 babies in heaven

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: What program to choose that may cover Australian Curricu

Post by my3sons » Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:31 am

If you call HOD by phone, we will help you figure out shipping costs prior to shipping. By ordering all of your material from HOD within packages, you will probably save the most money anyway, especially when ordering older guides with more materials (like CTC on up). Blessings!

In Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

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