Looking ahead

[mamas4bugs]

First, I have to say that we are so excited about the new guide! Looking ahead, though, this will have ds10 (5th grade) looking like this:

Preparing 5th
Ancients 6th
New HOD 7th
New HOD 8th
New HOD 9th

I assume that the rest of the new guides will continue the history cycle (correct me if I'm wrong!) So that means that we will end the history cycle in his 9th grade year. That doesn't give us time to start the 4 year cycle over. So, um, then what? I am right this second very aware of the need for a high school transcript (my oldest has started looking into colleges--she's a sophomore) and how things are going to look on the transcript. I don't want to run through the cycle again, just leaving off modern history because we don't have time for it, although I suppose I could. My dd 15 is using MOH right now, and my plan was to use them for high school with my boys as well, but that means dropping HOD in 8th grade because MOH does a 5 year cycle, and I'm really not thrilled with that choice. Especially since we are trying to convince Carrie to write more guides!


As a sidenote, here's another testament from Caleb, Carrie--after I showed him all the links to the books in a post from awhile back, he has decided that he thinks he'd like to ancient history again after all. Now, I don't generally let my children pick what they do for school--I am, after all, the Mum --but as next year will be our 3rd year doing Ancients in some form or fashion, I thought I'd give him a little latitude. Turns out he didn't need it. He chose the new Ancients guide even though he really has had all of Ancient Egypt he can stand. That kid is one serious HOD convert!

[water2wine]

I used to worry and worry over getting this timing correct. I can only share what I have come to and see if there is something there that helps. It's long so hang on for the ride. I decided that I wanted to teach my children first about the Bible and God and second I would let History fall into that. I would get one good cycle at least of History and then other than that I would give them lots of books to read that covers it even farther in depth. PS kids don't get multiple rotations of the history cycle. In fact the biggest focus in elementary is American. They would get one rotation and it would be no where as in depth as what they get in a hs environment. The rest of the focus would be on government. So knowing that my first call is to Him but also wanting them to be well equipped for any call He might give to them individually, I have learned to make the curriculum my tool rather than being a slave to the History cycle or a slave to the vision of the writer. Luckily here I find Carrie is extremely like minded to my vision in the first place and that really allows me to use HOD as the perfect tool for us and still accomplish my big goal of God first in equipping them to whatever the call.

That being said I do not think the rest of the world values History cycles the way we seem to in the hsing community. If you look at an SAT what is on it. Do you even find History really? This is what the SAT covers
1. Essay
2. Writing
3. Mathematics
4. Reading
5. Equating (the one that doesn't count toward your score)
6. Mathematics (includes SPR questions)
7. Reading (includes 2 long passages)
8. Mathematics
9. Reading
10. Writing

This is the basic and standard SAT test that is what most people end up taking for college entrance. History is only offered only as a subject test that is an additional SAT test. Most colleges do not require subject tests, those that due usually allow the child to pick the subject and if you picked History I would hope it is because you are going into politics or plan on being a Historian. I can't in all honesty looking at the subject test believe that if a college picked the subject for the child that History would be the subject picked but if so I think a little SAT prep (which we plan to do anyway) would bring to mind what we learned and teach them how they need to know it to score high on the test. My view is if my child is called to either one they will acquire enough extra knowledge in their own reading to ace the extra review that might be needed in that area or else it will be made clear to us in hs and we can then add extra course work in that area.

That is the "logical" to the world and logical for college. The illogical to the world is actually what I hold higher. Our plan is to have a minimum of 4 tours of the Bible before they graduate and study that deeply. I figure all of their life experience and future success rests more on us accomplish that than anything else we could do in the way of History. I do think it is important to understand History in the context of knowing God's hand in it and seeing how He brought us or in some cases how we got her because we turned against Him. But when I look at what probably will get them into a good college and allow them to have whatever call they want Bible is first in my mind and then LA, Math and Science would be what comes second in my mind along with teaching them life skills along the way. And then after all that I think a firm grasp of the History cycle is what would come next. In all logical thinking about what the SAT asks as well as what they are probably going to look at in college admission (knowing also that 7-8th grade course work can be added to a transcript for highschool to show that subjects were covered and it is perfectly acceptable apparently to do that under additional course work and not even have to put the "grade level", you can even list specific books read or programs used, there are books that show you how to prepare transcripts this way for homeschoolers)and then looking at probable careers and thinking what would be the requirements for those also knowing that college will provide anything necessary for that we have missed, I am thinking this works. So our focus is on one solid tour of history and if it all does not fall in high school I am fine. Certainly our Bible will count as some of that but also enough outside reading could cover anything we find we have missed. My kids read some of the books from BF just for fun and I try to keep our book shelves stocked with plenty of fine reading, history and science. I find they really do learn quite a bit on their own and there if I put enough of that together and add a few essays and tests I have really a course in a pinch if I need it. As long as they know the information in an acceptable and above average way then I do not care how they get the information.

I just want to give you a different perspective. I know it does not match the popular thinking in the hs environment and it may not match at all what you want or are called to do for your kids. But I just want to encourage you to do the reality check on what actually is required and if more history is required it would not be inconceivable to be taking two different history courses in high school as long as you do not make them both unit studies and if you had to do that it would actually reflect what college will bring anyway. I had a few years of nothing but science in my college experience so I am thinking if later on they end up needing for their call or college entrance two of anything other than Math or science that has prerequisites why not give them a taste of the real world along the way.

I hope there is something that helps you here. It is obviously something that I have thought about a lot. If nothing helps you here at least maybe you can see someone who is wackier in figuring out how to deal with the subject of history cycle than you. But in all honesty I know how crazy making this all can be. I pray that you find a solution perfect for your family that gives you peace. I help there is something here that helps you.

[mamas4bugs]

My goodness, W2W--you're either up really early or really late--I don't the brain cells on a Saturday to figure out which.

Thank you for that extremely well thought out reply! And you know what? You're right. I decided long ago that my first priority was to raise children for Him, Godly children, grounded in His Word and ready to be whatever He called them to be. We haven't lost that focus (one of the things I love about HOD). It's just that as I started filling in my daughter's high school transcript, I got a little panicky. Thank you for the perspective.

[deltagal]

The illogical to the world is actually what I hold higher. Our plan is to have a minimum of 4 tours of the Bible before they graduate and study that deeply. I figure all of their life experience and future success rests more on us accomplish that than anything else we could do in the way of History. I do think it is important to understand History in the context of knowing God's hand in it and seeing how He brought us or in some cases how we got her because we turned against Him. But when I look at what probably will get them into a good college and allow them to have whatever call they want Bible is first in my mind

Amen sister! Preach on... I would love to hear more about your 4 tours of the Bible plan.

With Joy!
Florence

[my3sons]

I loved what you had to say here, w2w, and I agree. So many dc turn away from the Lord during their college years, we cannot have too much of God in their days we are with them, teaching them in our own homes. I also like the idea of the Bible tour - thank you so much for sharing your ideas here. I value them so much.

Mamas4bugs - I understand the fear of the "transcript" too. My oldest son is only about 9, and I get a pit in my stomach thinking about transcripts. However, w2w put some of those fears to rest when she laid out what's on the SAT's. I do think that there are many transcript "helps" out there for homeschoolers. I have not researched that yet, but I firmly believe that knowledge and understanding puts most of our fears to rest. So, you are smart to think ahead and be reading up on how to create a transcript for your dd. I pray that your research will lead you to answers that give you peace. Perhaps other moms who have homeschooled here longer will chime in with what they've learned about making transcripts. I'll be watching this post!

In Christ,
Julie

[water2wine]

Julie-obviously I have not been there done that yet but wanted to share with you the resources on my list. This author I heard speak about making transcripts and it really opened my eyes. I plan on getting this. http://www.transcriptsmadeeasy.com/ There was a lot of useful information about making things look professional and how to get things accepted. She has a long history of working an admittance of a college as well as being a homeschool parent. The other is a book and from what I can see this is the one people are saying is the best one to get. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/ ... em_code=WW It comes from the Christian perspective. I hope someone who knows more and has really done it chimes in.

Florence- I use a modified HOW Bible study. I find doing HOD 4 days a week allows me to do a chronological Bible study and get everything else covered in HOD. If you would like a list of the reference books we use let me know I will be happy to tell you what we have really enjoyed. http://www.heartofwisdom.com/bible_study.html We also add themes to our study to look for what God says on this or that while we study. Our focus this year is on what does it really mean to be a Christian and to really live for Him in the NT. Last year it was seeing Jesus in the OT. I do not do as HOW does with whole Bible each year but we may in high school. For now we do OT/ NT and will take Proverbs or Psalms with us each year for the NT. This is the single most important thing I think that I do with my kids. We focus mostly on understanding what we are reading and using supporting material to accomplish that as opposed to getting into a lot of projects. For my little girls (4&6) we do Leading Little Ones to God and The Egermeier's Bible Story Book. The tend to also listen in on our Bible reading but I want them to get the tour of stories on their level. I just add theirs every day to HOD the older kids is mostly done on Fridays but some is done during the week as well. I tend to like to dig deeper during the week into what HOD has for Bible for the older kids and we do a Changed in His Image Student Bible Study together. We will probably take two years for this rather than one. i will not lie it adds to your day timewise but if you are good with your time it is really not a burden and it is very much worth it.

mamas4bugs- up early.

[deltagal]

w2w - Thank you for the link and the details. I used the 30 days book years ago when teaching a Bible Study and it still remains the single most effective tool I've ever used in grasping the Bible chronologically. What a great idea to use it with children! So, as I understand it you use the HOW method/resources with your older children on Fridays and focus on HOD Bible the other 4 days? That certainly sounds doable. Thank you again. I'm cetainly going to give this some thought. Our entire homeschool thrust up until 2 years ago was Bible, but then we got involved in a Bible Study and our plan eroded. Although we do a decent job at present, I have very much felt an urging for us to pick up the momentum AND go deeper. Perhaps the insights from HOW will guide us.

With Joy!
Florence

[water2wine]

So, as I understand it you use the HOW method/resources with your older children on Fridays and focus on HOD Bible the other 4 days? That certainly sounds doable.

Yes that is pretty much how I do it. I am not doing the entire Bible in a year. Our goal is 1/2 each year. I do throw in some of our Bible reading sometimes on an HOD day. Sometimes boxes will come up especially in geography that my kids have already done because I have some kids that are geography lovers and if that happens I will add some Bible reading instead. So I just add some of our chronological reading as an addition to HOD any time I feel like we have extra time but I always make the HOD Bible our main focus for our four HOD Bible days. I find the way Carrie does it really provides a lot for us to dig deeper on in and of itself. I like to read through entire passages to explain a verse and allow that extra time for exploring the character trait being studied in more depth. So I kind of approach her Bible study in the actual HOD manual in that kind of HOW spirit and let it lead us wherever it does for the day as well. We have had some amazing studies on HOD Bible so I do not want to compromise that either. You can easily do a HOW type study on a Friday alone especially if you are doing it half paced. We actually add some form of either nature Study or science that we are doing on the side as well. And that is our day. It takes more work but I feel like we get the most out of HOD and the best world of really digging deep into knowing the Word chronologically this way as well. This year we also added Awana and have to say my kids excel at that with all the HOD memorization of verses we do. They absolutely love it. I really can see that memorization strength in HOD since we have added Awana. That really made me glad we do both Bible focuses, my kids would not be as good at memorizing verses if it were not for HOD.

I came to HOD with the Bible study in place and wanting to keep it. Carrie actually was very kind in showing me some options for having the chronological study and HOD together when I first came to HOD. That really helped me a lot to see how it could all work together. When I first came to HOD I sort of thought I would skip the HOD Bible and do just the chronological study only but I saw so much depth and value in the HOD study and it really impacted my children in an amazing way that I worked it now to do both. It's a perfect fit for someone who thrives on having a lot on their plate (I am very much that type in everything that I do) but if you are not that type it could very well be too much. Another option if that is the case would be to do the Bible over three years and perhaps take some of the wisdom books for that third year. I hold that as an option anytime we need it and to be honest I see a lot of value in that as well. As it is 2 years seems to work well. On the flip side if you were a family that did HOD by the book and added no extras I really think you could do the year plan on a 4 day HOD plan easily, just to give you an idea.

Hope that helps!

[deltagal]

When I first came to HOD I sort of thought I would skip the HOD Bible and do just the chronological study only but I saw so much depth and value in the HOD study and it really impacted my children in an amazing way that I worked it now to do both.

w2w - Yes! That's what I had been thinking initially that I would skip the HOD Bible because I wanted to get back on track with the chronological plan we had been working on before we got distracted But this "chat" with you has given me a new and BETTER perspective. Thank you much. You've helped me a great deal. Blessings on you and on mamas4bugs - I hope I didn't hijack this thread too badly

Happy evening...

With Joy!
Florence

[water2wine]

Florence I am glad it helped.

[Carrie]

Shuanna,

I was going to pop back-in and just let Caleb know that the HOD Ancients will most likely be a pretty different tour from the ones he's already had. He's precious to wish to do HOD even though he's been through that time period a couple of times!

I also wanted to assure you that since most high school programs are covering geography in their freshman year, rather than world or American history, it would be easy enough to add a high school level geography, science, and math component to HOD and to do the rest of the fourth year of the HOD history cycle as written.

Blessings,
Carrie

[water2wine]

I was going to pop back-in and just let Caleb know that the HOD Ancients will most likely be a pretty different tour from the ones he's already had. He's precious to wish to do HOD even though he's been through that time period a couple of times!

We have done a fair amount in Ancients and chose to do HOD's program as well. And for just that reason. I know it will be nothing like anything we have ever had and we just don't want to miss it. Just wanted to say that and sorry for getting your thread off track.

[Susan]

Here are a few thoughts on transcripts. I have 2 children that have graduated from hs. Each college has different requirements on subjects taken in hs. I took a class at a homeschooling convention on transcripts and what was recommended was to check on several colleges your child might be interested in their junior/senior years. Look at what they require and start to meet those in hs. Most colleges require 4 English(composition, literature, grammar), 3 social studies(Amer. Hist, World Hist,geography, economics, government), 3 sciences, and 3 maths. I'm just covering the basics. Some require more, but if we follow HOD we will have plenty of history credits for sure. I'm not mentioning the foreign languages, fine arts, etc(electives). Just cover the basics and when high school is upon you, start looking at what different colleges in your state require. Cover the core subjects 9th and 10th grade and get more specific to your child's college choice for his last 2 years of hs. Just a note: one of my children chose Rosetta Stone for French and has her 2 credits of foreign language. It worked really well and she did it on her own. I live in Oklahoma and we have few requirements for homeschooling in all the years from elementary to high school. I know each state is different, so of course, that is to be considered also when choosing subjects. Hope this helps!
Susan

[my3sons]

Water2wine - I read through the sites on transcript resources you suggested, and I am feeling much better already. I do think that these sound manageable, and each seem to have a step-by-step list to follow (something I enjoy as a list maker myself )! I am copying these down for the future. I always know Carrie has my bases covered up until then, but high school makes me a bit more nervous (unless I can talk her into writing high school level guides, that is ). Thanks so much!

Susan - thank you as well! That makes sense, and my dh and I are thinking we will have our dc live at home with us during college, which means I can easily get information about the many colleges within driving distance of our home.

Knowledge is empowering - isn't it? Thanks!!!

In Christ,
Julie

[Susan]

Here's a clarification on my last post. I know at this point there is no hs curric for HOD, but our kids will have a great background in history!! So we have some choices in hs since most colleges only require 3 credits of social studies. So history doesn't have to be taught every year in hs. For my children the colleges were interested in ACT score, volunteer hours and of course the hs transcript. I just found a form I liked and plugged in their grades and the college accepted the homeschooling transcript!
Susan