Hello,
I wanted to share some of the main reasons that HOD works so well...
The guides are
so very easy to use as teacher-mom. I really appreciate being able to open the guide and simply get going with the boxes. I have used other programs and felt frustrated when I had to read extended notes on different pages to figure out how the lessons played out. It was a lot of reading, shuffling papers, and just organizing things in my brain before I could even consider starting the lesson. My brain needs simple and straightforward when implementing a lesson.
Carrie's guides are so teacher-friendly and there is none of that laborious preparation on my part. I know I could easily and effectively open up to the unit we are going to begin and I could jump right in and start our day. I do however, prefer to at least look over the plan for the next day just so I am familiar with it but, really if I wanted to, I could just open-and-go!
In addition to ease and simplicity for me, HOD is a program that really speaks to children and how they learn best. It's really structured to invite the kiddo in for some meaningful and enjoyable learning time that doesn't make you feel like you are just going through the motions in order to get the subjects done.
Each box within the guides is almost like opening up a little gift and then getting to see what is inside! The history reading is engaging, interesting, and really draws the kiddo into the time period. The related hands-on activities are by far my daughter's favorite part. She loves being able to create something fun with her hands or getting up and moving around to further help reinforce the concepts being learned. This same excitement applies to all of the boxes within the guide. My daughter just really likes what we are doing and that means a lot to me.
All in all, I just feel that there is a really thoughtful balance with HOD. The lessons leave you feeling like you covered the perfect amount of school-time in a purposeful way. Not too much, not too little. As teacher-mom, I can see that we have fulfilled all of our necessary subjects for the day and I know that my daughter had a joyful time learning those subjects. And because it was joyful for her, it will stick with her, and she will look forward to the next day.
Lastly, something that I have never found with another program (and admittedly I have tried quite a few!) is the integration of God Himself, into our learning time. I have said it before...I feel like every time we begin our school day with HOD, I know that we are inviting God into our hearts and minds so that we can create a permanent spot for Him to dwell. There is something very purposeful and powerful about choosing and implementing a schooling program that places God at the center. It allows me to blur that distinction, or that line, that can result from implementing school separate or void from God. Some programs have a "tack-on" feeling when adding a bible or Godly component. I definitely don't want a tack-on feel when I am teaching my daughter, it is not heart-felt or genuine in my opinion. So, HOD perfectly weaves God into all that we are doing and that serves us perfectly!
Candice
. I am still trying to decide between HOD, MFW and KONOS in a box. I need something that involves hands on for my kids. Not a whole lot of sitting and reading etc. I also want something that is open and go. I am currently looking at LHFG and BHFG. Why are you using HOD? Have you tried anything else? Do you feel that HOD includes plenty of hands on learning?
