Newbie with rising 4th & 8th graders

[2girls2teach]

Hello. I am new to HOD. I have 2 girls and we are on our 3rd year of homeschooling. We are currently using a curriculum that is really good, but not Christ-centered. They do learn other "religions", but no relationship with Christ in this curriculum. I have been feeling convicted lately to switch them to a Christ-centered program so they can be stronger in their relationship with Christ. (Church, SS, home devotions, and Awana's isn't enough for this). I came upon HOD through The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and love what I see!! I feel strongly that HOD is where the Lord is leading me. I will have to start HOD in the Fall. For now I am contemplating on which programs to use for my girls.

My rising 4th grader will be 9 this summer. I feel she will be good to do Preparing. She does her own Math and Grammar programs (Math-U-See and Growing with Grammar). She in on level with Math and partially in the 4th grade Grammar book already. I am debating the Science as I had been looking into doing the Apologia. Not sure what to do with Science....HOD? or Apologia? She reads independently and also knows cursive good. I know she will be excited to use HOD and should not have a problem with her.

Now...my rising 8th grader is a different case. She will be 13 this summer. She can be a difficult child. I need the right balance for her. If a program is too easy, she will be bored. If it is too hard, there are problems. She is all independent in her work and comes to me for questions. The past couple of years we switched curriculum's about 3-4 times. Sometimes I wonder if she is lacking in an area of study (ie- like, should she have learned the US States already?) I want to make sure she is prepared for high school. As far as her academics, I feel she does very good with L.A. She has a knack for drawing, creative writing, and accels at reading. She is weak in Math (a couple levels behind) - I feel Teaching Textbooks one year put her behind (my opinion) - we are back to M-U-S. She was doing Analytical Grammar for 6th grade and some of 7th. We fell very behind in that and she struggled with the intensive diagramming. She is now doing grade level Growing with Grammar.

The curriculum she now uses is advanced (considered HS level), but again, not Christ-centered. With HOD, I feel she can do the RTR with extensions, BUT I see for CTC it does the ancients. She has already done Egypt, but has not done Greece or Rome yet. IF I were to put her on CTC, I would think it may be too easy for her, but can we start CTC in a later unit after Egypt and do Greece and Rome and then go to RTR?? Or should I just start her on RTR and not do Greece and Rome?? As far a science goes, she has done Science basics and is now in Geology (plate tectonics, volcanoes, weathering & erosion, types of rocks, minerals, earth science). Because she is not on the 7th grade math level, she cannot start the Apologia Physical Science book that is recommended for 8th grade. I have contemplated using Notgrass for high school history, but am still undecided.

Any thoughts to my dilemna would be appreciated.

Well, it is late (2AM in the morning) and I need to go to bed. So that is all for now.

In Him,
Tricia

[we6rblessed]

Hi Tricia,
Welcome!!
We are finishing up with Preparing
I have a bright 9 yo, an 11 yo, who struggles with reading, and a 10th grader who has some learning issues. My 10th grader is doing her own studies, but LOVES to do our work as well.
I say this to say that it has been great to be in the same guide. We have grown so much together. My oldest daughter did the extentions, and I found the reading level challanging enough for her.
I don't know if you would be able to combine your children...I am sure Carrie can/and will help you.
Dictation has been a big hit here. I am doing Growing with Grammar, 5th grade. It has been good...I want to compare it to Evan-Moore Grammar & Puntuation for this next year.
I do Christian Light Math. Might look into something for Algebra that is taught on dvd or on-line for upper level math instruction, as I am clueless.
I know others will join in here. This is a WONDERFUL board.
Bkessings as you seek Him!
Linda

[lmercon]

I'm absolutely no help when it comes to planning since I am "below" you as far as curriculum goes, but I wanted to encourage you that you have found the right place. HOD is fabulous and the Christ-centeredness of it is the very best part. I think you will love this program. I'm sure you'll get help here. The moms here are great, and the author is very personable and helpful.
Laura

[Carrie]

Tricia,

Welcome to the board! We're glad to have you here. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. My littlest guy, who is 4, has had a fever non-stop for 28 of the last 30 days. With bronchitis, a sinus infection, and now a double ear infection I have gotten behind on the board. We're looking at a possible surgery for him tomorrow (for tubes in his ears if needed). So, I'm just popping in to catch up a bit. Typically, I do better in responding more quickly!

As far as your kiddos go, it does sound like your 4th grader would do well in Preparing Hearts. Just make sure by checking the placement chart (that she fits well there on the first page of the placement chart especially) as those skills will be required within the guide. Link to chart here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

As far as your 8th grader goes, if she is already used to being an independent worker you could either look at CTC or RTR for her. CTC does life sciences and RTR does earth science (which it looks as if you've covered this year). If you are looking for an alternative for physical science for next year, without the math barrier, you may wish to check into Education Exploration for physcial science. We did it with my own 7th grader last year and will likely be recommending it for physical science in the guide after RTR. This could be subbed in for the science within RTR or CTC if desired.

On a sidenote, your oldest daughter will need to be a strong reader to do well within RTR. She will be required to do the readings herself. If she reads well and has little trouble with written work, I would lean in the RTR direction for her. The Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons would be good for her too, as scheduled within RTR. If your daughter is not a strong reader or writer, I'd lean in the CTC direction instead. You could then use Write with the Best as scheduled within CTC for writing.

It sounds like you have your own grammar and math options already so that won't be affected in your guide choice. If you haven't done much formal literature study, then I would definitely look at adding DITHR Level 6/7/8 for her high school preparation.

If you have other questions, feel free to ask away.

Blessings,
Carrie

[2girls2teach]

Thank you for all of the wonderful replies!!

Carrie, I pray all is well at your home with your 4 yo. We had sickness a couple of weeks ago and are recovering. My hubby now seems to be getting ill. No problem for the delay in responding...well understood:)

Well, I have been studying HOD for 2 weeks now (haven't even told my hubby yet). I have been wanting to be sure this is where the Lord is leading me, which I feel strongly it is. My hubby did finally ask tonight what I was doing and I told him I would let him know when I had it all figured out (which I think I do now). Sorry...I have a tendency to ramble.

I know my youngest will do Preparing well. I have figured on getting the #1 Econ., #2 Science, #3 Level 4/5 Reading pkg., #7 Basic, #8 Deluxe, and Igniting Your Writing I. Ok...good.

The dilemna with the oldest. She strongly fits into the RTR, BUT she has not covered A LOT of what is in CTC for History (except Egypt) and Science. So...I am strongly considering starting her in CTC with the hopes she does not get bored. (She can read a 400 page book in 7-10 days!!) She is good at whipping through her work (and really understanding it well). If this turns out to be the case, MAYBE she could eventually go 1-1/2 speed (except on days she does soccer, then it may only be 1/2 speed). Only time will tell with that. So for her I am looking at getting: #1 Econ., #2 Science, #3 Level 6/7/8 Student Book, #5 Write with the Best, #9 Basic, and #10 Extension.

All of this is a lot to purchase for us as we are financially strapped (who isn't). I like the idea from others about getting half the books then purchase the rest later. I hope I have not missed anything.

I do want to ask, though, as I am looking at the Scope and Sequence Chart, about the future History. Will those programs implement World History, US History, American Gov't, and Economics as those are required for HS? I was considering using Notgrass, but read that those takes 2-3 hours to do!! No way!!

Blessings,
Tricia

[we6rblessed]

Tricia,
I sent you a pm. Hope to be able to help you.
Also want to know if you are planning on attending the GHEA homeschool convention coming up?
Linda

[Carrie]

Tricia,

I appreciate your patience, as we're now back from having tubes put into my son's ears to get rid of the infection and are recovering I think! We're headed out to Cincinnati tomorrow, so we're also packing for convention.

As far as your younger child in Preparing Hearts goes, you will likely not need Igniting Your Writing (unless you wish to add it) as Preparing Hearts has once weekly writing lesson that coordinate with the poetry.

As far as your older child goes, if that child places well into RTR then I would put her there. With HOD, it's more important to have the correct placement skill and developmental wise, rather than matching the history needs, as all of the activities within the guides will match the skill level you see within that guide on the placement chart. I'll also mention that our guides use a Charlotte Mason approach to reading, which means that the readings will be in smaller bite-sized chunks for history, science and read-alouds. This type of schedule requires slow, thoughtful reading and will be a different reading experience for a child who typically reads entire books at a time. I know it was a good transition for my avid reading son to move toward more CM-style reading for school subjects, while still allowing him to consume books as he desires in his own free-time. So, I'd advise keeping your child on the schedule within the guides in order to get the most from the daily readings and assignments. Anyway, just some more thoughts I had as you're pondering your options.

As far as high school goes, we haven't committed to writing guides for any level beyond the geography at this point. We are still in prayer, and will continue to be, over the the Lord's direction for that. The geography guide will be high school credit worthy and will fit the standard high school requirements for a year (or in some states a semester) of geography. Most states folllow the geography year in high school with a year of world history, then a year of American history, and finally a semester each of economics (or personal finance) and government.

Blessings,

Carrie

[2girls2teach]

OK...it has been another month and after disecting the placement chart I have decided to take a different course of action (so to speak). I have decided to put my rising 4th into Bigger and my rising 8th into CTC w/extensions. With my older dd I have decided to extend her 7th and 8th grades to prepare her for high school. So we will continue with her 7th grade this year. I am planning on using the guide after RTR for starting high school with both dd's.

Now I am pondering which packages to get and anxiously waiting for my tax check to arrive!!

~Tricia

[lovedtodeath]

oops nm

[my3sons]

Hi Tricia! I'm late to this thread, but I think you ended up with a good plan for your 2 dc. I just wanted to share that a primary goal our family has is to homeschool our dc with Christ-centered curriculum that doesn't just get in their head, but also gets in their hearts. We didn't want to sacrifice other academics for this goal - and with HOD we haven't had to because it is both Christ-centered and academically strong. I just wanted to celebrate the Lord leading you to choose Christ-centered curriculum, and I know you will find HOD fills that need beautifully!

In Christ,
Julie

[2girls2teach]

Ok...my tax check came in!!! I am excited to be ordering real soon!

I have a question on Bigger. Since my dd already knows cursive (did A Beka for 2 years, but not too much this past year), would it be ok for her to do the Cheerful Cursive too? I am also curious in the difference between the Cheerful and the Italic. I hear Italic can be more difficult. Please let me know your opinions, ladies.

Thanks!
Tricia

[my3sons]

She would do just fine with "Cheerful Cursive"! It is my favorite way of teaching cursive to date. Here are some samples so you can decide for yourself though:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4180&p=30768#p30768

In Christ,
Julie