I'm new and need some help please!!!

[cryste cole]

I am looking very closely at Heart of Dakota. I have 4 children ages 6,5,4,and 14mo. My oldest went to public K last school year and my 2nd child will be K this year. When I look on the placement, one places in LHFHG and the other in Beyond......my K child is beginning blending three letter words now. My oldest one is considered gifted so I would like to combine but not sure he would be suited well to start LHFHG. Could I just do Beyond for both of them?
Also, those of you who have used MFW, why did you switch?
Thanks from a momma just starting and trying to figure it all out! :0)
Cryste
Wife to Michael 7 1/2 yrs
Mother of Dakota, Blake, Lana Grace, and Brayton

[netpea]

Hi Chryste,
You might find this thread helpful for the differences between HOD and MFW:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1446

Not sure what I would suggest for program in your case, they seem to be at such different ability levels it might be hard to combine. Let me think on it a bit.

[mom2boys030507]

Hi Chryste,

Your oldest two are the right age for LHFHG. My oldest is also considered gifted. We did LHFHG last year and it would certainly be enough for this year too. I moved through the math at a faster pace for him - he just got it and was bored. I did add in some extra copy work - usually the bible verse. You might also want to consider getting the Beyond manual for the emregent reader set if your older is ready for that or DITHOR if beyond they emergent readers. There is alot to LHFHG, I think both your kids would do fine. I am also finding that as a mom of a gifted school subjects is not always where they want and or need to be challenged. It might be enough to provide a wide range of free reading choices to read during daily quiet time.

Karen

[Carrie]

Hi Cryste,

Since we talked through this on the phone, I'm not going to post a lengthy response here, but you may appreciate some of these links about the differences between MFW and HOD. If you use the search feature on the top of the board, you'll find even more!:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1446&p=11109

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1420&p=10880

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1412&p=10850

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1414&p=10843

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1331&p=10250

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1331&p=10250

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1331&p=10236

We'll pray you'll find the answers you're seeking! If you have other questions, ask away. The moms on the board are gracious about helping!

Blessings,
Carrie

[water2wine]

Cryste,

Have you taken a good look at the placement chart. http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php I would use that as my guide as to whether they were to do one or two programs. See how well suited your oldest is for Beyond and if they really are on track with that then I would consider running two programs at this early age when they are gather so many essential skills. Later it may be that they would combine well. I just want to encourage you that running two programs is not such a big deal with HOD. It would be much more of a big deal with MFW because they are not set up that way. They are a one size fits all type program and HOD is a meet them at their individual needs with some overlap. I found trying to meet all my kids needs with a MFW style much harder than running two HOD programs which really is a breeze. HTH

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD board! I think that the placement chart is a handy tool in accurately placing your children, and if the 2 of your dc definitely fit into 2 separate programs, then I would definitely just do them separate. By the time you make all of the modifications to stretch a program for one child just so you can combine, I think it is honestly just easier to do 2 programs - when you are doing HOD . The guides are AMAZING, and you can easily do 2 programs if that's where your dc really do place. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to do LHFHG and about 2 1/2 hours to do BLHFHG, which is pretty manageable even for a very busy mom. Just remember that just because you may choose not to combine now, that does not mean saying "no" to combining forever. With all of the various levels written each HOD guide, the treasure trove of the Appendix, and the extension packages at the older ages, it's easy to combine at a later date too. With all that being said, if you check the placement chart again, and really feel that overall they could both place well in LHFHG, then go that route. Whichever plan you go with, you cannot go wrong with HOD! I'm so glad you are here, and it'll be fun to get to know you here!

In Christ,
Julie