New and a lot of questions

[blessedmomof3girls]

Hi! I'm new to Heart of Dakota and I have a lot of questions. I have been homeschooling for 2 years now and have 3 little girls. My oldest, Angelica is 6 (will be 7 in OCt.) and is just finishing up 1st grade with ACE (which we have not liked), Keturah just turned 3 in March and is ready for some light preschool, more because she wants to feel included during school time than her being ready for acedmics. She knows some letters and has really good pencil control (better than Angel does-but Angel has been a bit behind in her fine motor skills). Then there is Baby Ruthie who is 3 months old.

Angelica is a very good reader and catches onto learning very quickly. Most of this past year has been self taught as that is how the ACE program goes and I hate it. I want more hands on and less busy work. Angel needs help with handwriting, but that is her only weakness. She loves to learn and she will sit and drill herself in math or phonics until she gets it right. I am not sure where to place her because it seems, by reading the placement chart, that she is inbetween Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory and Bigger Hearts for His Glory. I am thinking of just putting her in Bigger Hearts for His Glory because I think she can handle the challenge.

Keturah is my spunky one who LOVES to be involved with school and really wants to do what Angel is doing. So I am going to start her in Little Hands to Heaven but probably span it out over 2 years as she is still very young and takes a little more time catching onto things than Angel does.

How does ordering the cirriculum work? I want to get everything that I need for the full year, but I wont be using the math. Do I need to order all the add ons? The package page confuses me.

Thanks for the help. Rebecca

[Shawna]

Hello Rebecca! I can't answer any of your questions..as I am new and waiting on some final decisions before I order!!! Just wanted to say Hi to a fellow newbie and I hope you get all your questions answered!! Since I found HOD, I have been circling this board like a vulture!!!! Ha!!! Have a blessed day!
Shawna

[crlacey]

Welcome to HOD!
Have you checked the placement chart for your oldest DD? It's usually very helpful in determining which program your child fits into best.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
You mentioned not needing math, so just skip that category if you plan to continue what you are using.

When it comes to ordering I'll use Beyond as the example since you mention that as one of the programs, you start with the Economy package for the basics that are needed to run the program. Then you move on to the Basics box which you can order all of or just the parts you need. Next, you'll look for the reading option that fits your child (either phonics instruction, Emerging readers set, or Drawn Into the Heart of Reading). Finally, you'll choose a read aloud book from each genre (mystery, humorous fiction, realistic fiction....there are 9 categories). Sometimes you'll already own these books or use your local library. Or you can buy a package that has what you need depending on your budget.

Hope that helps.

[amysconfections]

I would not bump her up to Bigger if writing is her weakness. There is a big difference in writing between Beyond and Bigger. Also, I would not want to miss out on Beyond. It is a really great curriculum.

Amy

[GinainMD]

Hello and Welcome! I'm going to be using Beyond this year for an eight year old and a newly seven year old. I feel that even though I *could* push them to use Bigger, that Beyond will be a nice gentle intro to HOD. Just my two cents. I know that whatever you choose, you are going to love HOD.

[blessedmomof3girls]

Thank you all for your replies.My husband and I talked about it more and I think we're going to order Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory and transition her slowly into this type of cirriculum. I am excited to put in our order on June first. She asked me when we get to start it. She was watching me choose the books and was all excited about all the read-a-louds and the readers.

[my3sons]

I think your plan to do Beyond with Angel, and half-speed LHTH with your toddler is going to work out so well. Here are some links for ordering that will help, but you can always ask us more questions here too, and we'll be glad to help.

Link for ordering Beyond (click on the "Helpful Tips on How to Order" lightbulb at the top):
http://www.heartofdakota.com/byd-little ... ckages.php

Link for ordering LHTH (click on the "Helpful Tips on How to Order" lightbulb at the top):
http://www.heartofdakota.com/little-hands-packages.php

In Christ,
Julie

[blessedmomof3girls]

Thank you so much for the links, Julie.

Rebecca