Thinking about HOD next year

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spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Thinking about HOD next year

Post by spidermansmum » Tue Apr 05, 2011 2:14 pm

Currently I have
the 4 yo in LHTH[and we have been taking it slowly] .Its a perfect fit.He knows pretty much all his letters,can sight read a few words and is starting to write letters,his name etc.So LHTH fits perfectly now.Im a bit concerned about attempting LHFHG in september
I have the 8 yo in BLHFHG and again he fits perfectly into Beyond right now.In my mind Im aiming to start Bigger in September -and I think he will be ready by then -
But the biggest challenge is finding a curriculum for my 15 yr old.This is our first year homeschooling her and its had its been a learning curve for us all .We have been using a cd rom based curriculum .Its worked in some ways -its nearly totally independent,it very low maintanance and its utterly boring :shock: .
My daughter loves to read .This year she has read for fun- Pride and Prejudice , some Shakespeare ..Im sure we could make either of the R to R 's to make it work for her with using the some extension reading .
I am really concerned about the writing though.My 15 yr old has had minor issues her whole life with fine and gross motor control.Im not talking major issues -but writing is a real barrier to her learning.If she is required to handwrite an answer -quite often just the sheer amount of effort that goes into forming those letters means that she a] just shortens the answer-and edits information she would otherwise have included -or she can just completely lose track of what that answer was and forget .Im trying to think of ways that work around this for the writing involved in Rev to Res .Currently she types her answers on her computer.-but we dont ask for a lot of typing .
I have a few other concerns -like the transition to a CM style of education[which I am completely sure is superior] from a PS education ...
And finally :oops: It humbling to admit that her bible knowledge is not what it should be -I can see the gradual training at work within HOD -from learning a bible verse in LHFHG and progressing on up through-but my daughter has not had that...and has she been exposed to a lot more of the current worldly views than I want . :oops: and we are British -so she knows very little US history[actually I would add given the national curriculum she knows very little british history ]
I can see that my daughters childhood is nearly all behind her,and one reason I wanted to homeschool her -is because I want to spend more time with her.We are not getting that with me handing her a box of discs each day.A
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

blessedmomof4
Posts: 1138
Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by blessedmomof4 » Tue Apr 05, 2011 4:20 pm

First of all, (((hugs))). I don't have a lot of advice for you, but I do agree that Rev to Rev or even Resurrection to Reformation could be a great place to start your daughter in HOD. What grade is she in? Perhaps she could even start in CTC? This thread has lots of great advice on making the "lower" guides worthy of high school credit viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6571 Take some time to browse through, and I know we'll all be happy to help you work out a good plan for your daughter.
I also have a 15 year old, and she is in an online program-so she does spend most of her time tied to a computer :( In her case, however, she is not bored, spends a lot of time studying the Bible on her own, and is ahead one grade. She only has one year left of high school, so I figured I'd just leave it be.
I'm sure you will be able to figure out a good plan to use HOD to meet your goals with your older daughter :)
Here's another good thread viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5400
Lourdes
Wife to Danforth
2 grads 9/19/92,7/8/95
2 in charter school 1/31/98, 9/19/99
3 in Heaven 8/11/06, 8/18/10, 9/13/13
Future HODie is here! 9/14/12

spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by spidermansmum » Wed Apr 06, 2011 4:41 am

Thankyou for all the links :D some good reading.looking at the suggested extension reading materials-I think she would enjoy those...
I have a very basic plan formulating...
She has been doing an IGCSE in chemistry this year[International GCSE] she can take exams in May or November[we are aiming for Nov -6months earlier than her peers] and these are equivalent to the GCSE 's that her peers are taking and would make college applications easier...but.So I could in theory add another IGCSE to either Rto R1 or Rto R 2...however these IGCSE's are not God centred -they are exactly the material covered in schools-and while I found nothing in the chemisty material that I find fault with-Im nervous .
She has struggled with algebra this year...so I might continue with the CDrom we already have .. or I might need to think of another curriculum.....
She has found the english grammar quite challenging -here grammaris not taught at all-its considered out dated and to quote the inspector we had..[she was the only 15 year old who would know what a'conjunction' was].. :roll: I dont need to worry from a further education standpoint ...but I think its important..I think rod and staff would suit her well .Maybe starting at a lower level :?:
...I need to think how I can show basic numeracy and literacy ..maybe transcript or portfolio her work....
sooooo still thinking out my plan ....
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

KimS

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by KimS » Wed Apr 06, 2011 5:35 am

Could you have her do the stuff orally to you? That way you know she got it and she is not getting frustrated by trying to write. You could assign her small writing assignments to help her better her skills but not be overwhelmed.

spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by spidermansmum » Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:36 pm

Yes I could have her give answers orally and take notes :D .
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

4Hispraise
Posts: 308
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:30 pm

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by 4Hispraise » Wed Apr 06, 2011 1:37 pm

What a great mom, to know your dd's strengths and weaknesses and seek what is best for her! May the Lord grant you wisdom for this decision!

About your oldsest, could she type her answers? From what you wrote, it sounds like she can type...so, could that be an option? You could carefully choose what you are going to have her handwrite so that she is continuing to strengthen those fine motor skills and allow her to type everything else. Of course, I don't know if typing is a struggle, also...so, just an idea...

At times, I have allowed ds to record his answers on a personal recorder and then type them out with my help, as needed. It helps prevent shortened answers, losing his train of thought because he is so focused on forming the letters correctly, horrible frustration, low self-esteem, etc. In addition, it gives him the ability to be more independent. Don't know if any of these suggestions would help - just thoughts!

If either of these things would work, then you could choose the best HOD package for her. I haven't done either of the two you are contemplating, but they both look so good! I trust that God will lead you to what is best for your unique situation & children. I am so grateful that He created each of our children and knows them full well. Nothing is a surprise to Him! Blessings to you as you seek your children's best!
Shelly- bride of 22 yrs. to My Hero
Mom to 2 treasures on earth, and 2 treasures in Heaven
DS - 16
DS - 7 Bigger Hearts For His Glory

spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by spidermansmum » Wed Apr 06, 2011 2:58 pm

Yes she can type faster/better than she can write .
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

LynnH
Posts: 1846
Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:41 pm
Location: OH
Contact:

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by LynnH » Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:24 pm

There are many ways you can adapt the writing so that she can type. Even with the premade notebooking pages. My ds is doing CTC and he types his written narrations and I just set word to 3x5 which is the size of the box on the notebook page. I usually have to set it for thin margins also, but then he has room to type what he wants to say. Looking at the RTR notebooking pages I will have him type his research about the city and use a similar method to make it fit. For the Rod and Staff writing assignments he types them and for other writing assignments such as Write with the best I often let him dictate to me when he is going through the creative process and then he types the final piece. I found the rest of the writing is short enough that even with his dysgraphia he can handle it.
Mom to:
dd 22 college graduate and employed as an Intervention Specialist
ds 18 US2, Loved Preparing, CTC , RTR , Rev to Rev, MTMM ,WG, WH and US1
http://www.graceandfur.blogspot.com/

spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by spidermansmum » Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:40 am

Thankyou LynnH and
Hi back to Lyn[oneboyonegirl ] Its always wonderful to meet another Brit here on HOD [ :D waves from accross the pond ]
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

spidermansmum
Posts: 611
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:10 am
Location: UK

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by spidermansmum » Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:04 pm

Im still trying to figure this out.I think Res to Ref [not the latest guide ] would be a better fit-thats more of world history and subjects I think she would be intrested in.The extensions study read alouds , rod and staff 6.?..and should I use the medieval writing lessons ?
Science ?She is strong in science -what should I pick?
- Delighted to have used LHTH,LHFHG and Beyond, Bigger , Preparing and DITHOR
currently Using
LHTH slowly with my 2 year old
Starting Bigger with my 8 y/o About to add on DITHOR
Finishing Preparing with my 12year with ASD/LD

Carrie
Site Admin
Posts: 8128
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Re: Thinking about HOD next year

Post by Carrie » Tue Apr 19, 2011 5:25 pm

spidermansmum,

I think I would lean toward Resurrection to Reformation too. :D I do think that Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons would be great for her and definitely high school worthy. I would lean toward either DITHR with some more high school level literature or toward a different literature program, but if you are wanting a Christian focus, I'd stay with either DITHR or one of the programs I mentioned in the second thread (on p. 2 of the link):
Link for using DITHR for high school: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7765&p=56997#p56997
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8208

As far as English goes, Rod and Staff 5 is considered foundational, depending on how much grammar she has already had. If she is already diagramming sentences fairly easily, then I'd lean toward Rod and Staff 6 instead. Rod and Staff can be very writing intensive, so make sure to do much of her lesson orally or on a white board, allowing her to choose one small portion to do on paper each day. I would lean toward doing Rod and Staff half-speed this year as in RTR it is scheduled twice weekly. This will keep the amount of writing from being overwhelming, when paired with Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons (and keeping in mind what is required in the UK for grammar). :D

For science, you will likely need to lean toward a different higher level science option. There are ideas in this thread about what to consider: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7240&p=52854

RTR is a wonderful Bible-based, Christ-centered year. The purity study will be terrific as well for you to go through. I pray you will enjoy your time with your daughter and see her grow in her walk with the Lord! :D

If you have other questions, ask away. We'll enjoy talking through options with you to get the right fit. :D

Blessings,
Carrie

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