New Here

[CarenM]

This year we are just finishing Adventures in MFW and will be buying HOD this coming year. We are also doing Saxom math 2 and 3 with my daughter (just turned 7) and my son (turning 9soon).

Both are excellent readers, she is on a 4th grade level and he is ..well..he is very advanced

In Adventures we covered American History

I don't know the abbreviations but instead of doing Bigger does anyone think we will be good with Preparing?

Both the kids and I want to do world history instead ofAmerican 2 years in a row.

[water2wine]

Welcome to HOD! HOD works a little differently than MFW. It is not a one size fits all program but more of a range of skill levels. It meets the child at their individual needs and instead of having the younger child ride along the tendency is beefing up for the older child if two are combined. Have a look at the placement chart http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php and see where your children might fit best. Preparing is a tour of world history but it teaches at a developmental level. Have a look at the placement chart and see where your children would best fit then let us know what you think.

[CarenM]

Thank you. They fall right in the middle,lol

[water2wine]

Thank you. They fall right in the middle,lol

Hahaha! Well then you need to go with your gut on what you feel they can handle. Are they close to Preparing which is what I am assuming you would prefer. If so you could consider running the program at half speed in the beginning to help them gain skills and then at full time when they are ready. That often works very well. Preparing also has the extension packs that can help you balance things out if you have one that might need a little more while one needs a little less.
The ladies here are4 great with helping you find a "perfect" fit. If you give more details I know they will be willing to help you until you find the right fit for your family. Choosing HOD was the best homeschool decision we ever made. The fit is the part that takes work.l Actually doing the program is a breeze.

[CarenM]

Thank you. They fall right in the middle,lol

Hahaha! Well then you need to go with your gut on what you feel they can handle. Are they close to Preparing which is what I am assuming you would prefer. If so you could consider running the program at half speed in the beginning to help them gain skills and then at full time when they are ready. That often works very well. Preparing also has the extension packs that can help you balance things out if you have one that might need a little more while one needs a little less.
The ladies here are4 great with helping you find a "perfect" fit. If you give more details I know they will be willing to help you until you find the right fit for your family. Choosing HOD was the best homeschool decision we ever made. The fit is the part that takes work.l Actually doing the program is a breeze.

Thanks so much, def. Will pray over it. Taking two years of american history really wouldn't be so bad either

[blessedmomof4]

If you are not adverse to doing American history again, and seeing your daughter is just turned 7, and if you want to combine your children, I would go with Bigger, perhaps using the extension package for the older if he really needed more challenge. Heart of Dakota's curricula are so much more than they appear to be at first glance All of the guides are challenging and appropriate for the age range they target. Bigger is a rich program that covers American history from a biographical approach. If you didn't want to combine the children, you could try Bigger for the younger and Preparing for the older. Add Drawn into the Heart of Reading for an excellent literature program, 2/3 for the younger and 4/5 for the older. You can use higher level books for them to read if you wish, I am just thinking about the amount of required writing-in other words, your 7 year old may be able to read 4th grade level books, but not be prepared to do as much writing and independent work as is required in Drawn into the Heart's 4/5 workbook.
Rod and Staff Grammar and Singapore Math are both advanced programs-I would recommend using level 2 of Rod and Staff Grammar for your younger, and level 3 for your son. If you want to use Singapore Math, have them take the placement test here: http://www.singaporemath.com/Placement_s/12.htm
Most students new to Singapore math will test 1 to 2 levels lower than their "grade".
Any other questions, please feel free to ask
Edited to add, if you are happy with Saxon Math, you are also free to continue with it, HOD is flexible with that

[water2wine]

It is hard to let go of the history cycle. But I have to tell you honestly it is not so much about just that. They will get the full cycle later again. In the earlier years it is about building foundational skills and really cementing their foundation in Christ. I was very almost paralyzed with staying on that cycle and not repeating anything when I first came to HOD. The way HOD does things are so different you will never feel like and are not likely really to be repeating anything. It's just so refreshing to be able to hit them at their individual need. You really lose the blessing of the program if you give that up. It really is best to place them where they fit best academically and skill wise.

Saying a prayer for your decision.

[tnahid]

Welcome to HOD! May our Father bless you! HOD is a blessing to use to help educate our children. You will find much help and encouragement here. I know I have!

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board! We have done Bigger Hearts (once a few years back with our oldest, and again now with our middle ds), and I can tell you it is a meaty program. I view the Bigger Heart's year as a pretty important one. Though my older 2 sons were early readers and writers, they needed time to grow into the skills of Bigger Hearts. Though my 7 yo was reading quite advanced books (really could read whatever my oldest ds was reading, and he is 3 years older and an excellent reader too), he needed time to grow into Bigger Hearts. It's hard to imagine doing PHFHG with a just turned 7 yo, but more than that, it's really hard to imagine a just turned 8 yo doing CTC the following year! Having just done CTC last year, that is fresh in my mind, and whoa - being younger than the target age range in that guide would really be tough.

We did Beyond Little Hearts the year before doing Bigger Hearts, and Beyond is American history as well. We loved Beyond, but we love Bigger Hearts as well - they are 2 totally different treatments of American history. I think the biographical approach of American history in Bigger Hearts is different from just about anything else out there. I bet you and your dc would find it to captivate your attention (and spur on your patriotism) immensely! I think by choosing Bigger Hearts, you'd be meeting both your dc's needs very well, and the extensions are a wonderful challenge for avid advanced readers. If you get the chance to print off the first week of Bigger Hearts, and read through each of the boxes of plans, I think you will be able to see what a full program it is. Read each box with just your 7 yo in mind, and really take note if she can do what is asked of her in Bigger Hearts.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/BHFHG-first-week.pdf

Likewise, you could do the same with PHFHG.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-sample-week.pdf

This previous post may be helpful as you pray through your decision too...
Amount of writing in Bigger vs. PHFHG:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

If you want to combine them, I do think Bigger Hearts would be a good way to go. HTH as you consider your options! HOD is such a blessing in our home. Our dc love learning HOD style, and I love teaching it too. 15 years of teaching - and my 8 years with HOD have been by far my favorite - I think you'd enjoy it too!

In Christ,
Julie

[erin.kate]

I just wanted to add that we are starting with HOD in August with my oldest, who is 7, and in MFW1 currently. I have to echo that the ladies here with HOD are really special in their wisdom and encouragement. They helped me tremendously in choosing between Beyond and Bigger for our daughter, knowing that K and 1 were with MFW.

All that said, and after having myself poured over Bigger, I would concur that Bigger would be such a wonderful place for your daughter, especially after ADV. The treatment and experience with the history is really incredible and I would not want to miss Bigger. The beauty of it, also, is that you can add the extensions for your 9yo.

I think you will find that the skill building is really quite different that in MFW and starting with Bigger will not only spark more of a love of our country and those who shaped it, while remaining close to Christ, but it will also establish a foundation for learning that is at the heart of HOD.

HTH. Welcome. I have really found a happy spot here.

[KristinBeth]

I just want to welcome you and say that I hope you and your children enjoy HOD! I know some prior MFW users and things are done differently so it occasionally takes a little adjustment time, but the ladies here are always great help!

[John'smom]

Just wanted to say "WELCOME".

[CarenM]

Thank you all so much. What a great help you all have been. I think its been decided to go with Bigger.

Now to stay with Saxon or switch to Singapore. Choices...choices, lol

[Carrie]

CarenM,

I just wanted to pop-in and welcome you too. We're glad to have you here! We pray you will enjoy Bigger Hearts as much as we are, as we're doing it this year with my third little guy!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Heather4Him]

WELCOME to HOD and the boards, Caren! We're glad you're here!!