We've used Sonlight four years from Pre-K - Core C. It's a great curriculum and we've had some wonderful experiences with it, but when we started Core D this year (for DS 10 and DD 8 ), the little things that had bothered me here and there in the past suddenly became big things. I'm not one to toss a book if everything in it doesn't line up with my Christian worldview. Sometimes those clashes become terrific opportunities to explain what the Bible says about things (i.e. witch doctors, war, etc.). It just seemed that some of the book choices for this year (esp. the ones we had in the first five weeks) were so full of clashes that I had to stop every five minutes to explain, and it didn't look like it would get any better. It seems unwise to drag kids through so much of that when it's not necessary. Also, I've wished that the Bible was more actively integrated with history, science and other subjects.
So here we are, five weeks in, looking at switching to HoD. I really appreciate the Charlotte Mason-type approach, and from everything I've read, the content from HoD will involve a lot more excitement than wrestling.
Because HOD is set up a little differently re: levels, can you help me decide what the best starting place would be?
After reading through the placement guides and other helps, it seems like DD (8, 3rd grade) would do best in Bigger Hearts for His Glory. She may be a "stealth dyslexic." She is reading well at grade level (3rd) but finds spelling very challenging and penmanship has been a struggle. I had to abandon Sonlight's LA and use All About Spelling and Queen Language Lessons for her, which she is doing fine with. DS (10, 5th) is a reading machine -- anything he can get his hands on, and at a high school level (well above his maturity level content-wise, so we have to monitor carefully). He's pretty well-rounded in the other subjects, too. I think he could handle Creation to Christ (though he hasn't done any sentence diagramming).
My gut is to start with Bigger, where I think DD will fit best. Would this be OK for DS? Would the extensions work well for him? I know we can always supplement from Ambleside Online as well if needed (AO was another serious consideration). Would that even be necessary? Or, would he do better at a different level altogether? Also, we just finished a two year cycle of world history last year and were starting two years of American History this year. I'd like them to have some American history before we launch back into world history. (And kind of sad we didn't start with it -- appreciate the reasoning behind HoD in this.) DS2, age 4, is also in the mix doing Sonlight Pre-K (and getting into everything when he is not
)Thanks for wading through all of this if you made it this far. I'd be very grateful for any insights, pearls of wisdom or corrections anyone might be able to offer.
-- Claire
I am so glad that the wise ladies on the board were able to assist you. They have such wonderful counsel!! Having done the two year cycle of the ancients through Sonlight with my oldest son (who is now 21), before I wrote our guides for his age level, I can understand your thoughts on the differences between that route and CTC. We pray you have a terrific school year! Thanks so much for sharing. You blessed me today!