sonlight vs heart of dakota

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daybreaking
Posts: 315
Joined: Thu May 20, 2010 12:21 pm

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by daybreaking » Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:53 am

my3sons wrote:Beth - I am glad that you know where you stand on this decision already! :D I can see the practical need for you to decide how best to let your friend know your decision not to use Sonlight - in a way that is honest yet hopefully does not offend her. :wink: Maybe you can borrow some of my reasons I would share with my friend if I was in your situation...

*We've always wanted to homeschool within our own home, with just our own family.
*I am homeschooling because I want to be my dc's teacher.
*I want our own dc to be each other's best friends, and being home together encourages that.
*I need special 1:1 time every day to share my faith with my dc, and while other moms may get that done in some other way, I know I have to have time every day to be able to do this in a personal way.
*When my dh calls home during the day from work, each of the dc love to talk with him. They need to be home to be able to do that.
*We like to be in control of what we do each day, and having a certain place we have to be each day for a certain amount of time is something we don't want to be committed to do.
*We like the Charlotte Mason method of choosing living books and savoring them, which means we'll spend more time in fewer books rather than reading so many.
*We want Bible integrated in every subject, rather than as a stand alone subject.
*We want our dc to get out their Bibles and use them every single day within our homeschooling.
*We like the short lesson Charlotte Mason style of learning, with bite-sized readings and skill-based follow-ups.
*We want our dc to take over the bulk of their own reading when they turn 9 or 10 yo, so they can retain what they've read better, and so we can spend time in deeper discussions, more connections, and learning new skills, rather than so much time reading.
*We want fine arts integrated in our daily learning, such as music, poetry, art study, etc.
*We want the LA skills of copywork, oral narration, and written narration integrated with history and science as a part of our daily learning.
*We want the organization of the Student Notebook, as it teaches my dc much about organizing their work.
*We want our dc to learn to put together their own portfolio each year.
*We like the moral discernment for book selections and Godly character trait discussions taught in "Drawn into the Heart of Reading", as well as the reading skills focus.
*We want our dc to complete the step-by-step projects in the History Project box as they teach valuable life skills too, such as cooking, project development, and direction following.
*We want our dc to become the scientists themselves by doing their own experiment every single week. I know I would not get the science experiments done otherwise. We also like having them do their science in our own kitchen and our own home, as it often results in them repeating the experiments or taking them further later in the day or week.
*We want to use living books for science.
*We want to customize our school choices for each of our dc, and make sure we are not reading too mature content too young for them.
*We want our dc to learn to do their own Bible Quiet Time first thing in the morning, and HOD has that as part of their plans.
*I like variety in what I teach each year, and HOD changes my teaching time each year.
*I want to choose the proper placement for each of my dc, rather than having them placed together in whatever core is being offered.
*We want our dc to learn to use media resources for research, such as the Internet, audio CD's, or additional books, but we want to be sitting with them as they do this to be sure we are monitoring what they are viewing/reading carefully.
*We want daily hands-on activities that are short, doable, and fun.
*We want to finish school in a timely fashion so we have time for the dc to explore other interests.

I hope something here helps, this is just off the top of my head. Most of these reasons are for you - for you to have in mind so you know why you chose what you chose. They don't all need to be shared with your friend, probably just a few will do. Probably the ones I listed first would be best to share with her, as they have more to do with the schooling being done out of the home than with "Sonlight". Sonlight and HOD differences will be a "hot button", I wouldn't push it unless you have to. :wink: Vague is sometimes better. If she is happy with Sonlight, no reason to rock her happy boat. :D No reason for you to jump in her boat either though. :wink:

I have found that I have to be alright with my decisions, and know in my soul they are right for our family. I have learned to be able to stand alone sometimes because of this. There are people who are my friends and even who are part of my extended family that don't agree with my decisions. They have not been convinced that what we are doing is right. I do not try to convince them or win them over. I have found time does that for me. As my dc are growing and maturing, there is something special about them. I'm not trying to be prideful here, but they just are different. They are innocent. They have an easy rapport with each other, with my dh and me, and socially with adults and dc alike. They know their academics. They know their Lord. It shines through, and slowly but surely, others are having a grudging respect for that. They are not perfect, but they are not as much "of this world" as I was at their age. I love that. The Lord must too. I am praying for strength for you as you discuss this with your friend. I hope something here has helped!

Love in Christ,
Julie
Wow, this was excellent, Julie. I'm cutting and pasting it into a word file, so I can keep it for future reference.

(I also really enjoyed reading your blog today, on shopping/errand lists. I already have a copy on our refrigerator. I wanted to comment on the blog, but couldn't figure out how. :oops: Thank you for doing your blog. It's very helpful! :))

Wife to one amazing husband and mother to two precious blessings from above:
ds21 & dd17

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

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by LynnH » Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:26 pm

Julie,
I love your list. I also just put it in a word file and I also printed it out for the days when I need a reminder of why I am homeschooling and why I am using HOD.
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/

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

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by blessedmomof4 » Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:22 pm

Me too :) Thanks, Julie!
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

luvschoolin2
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:54 pm

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by luvschoolin2 » Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:35 am

momofgreatones wrote:Have you used SL or are familiar with it? I used SL before HOD and all I can say is that there is no. comparison. at. all. I was sold on SL's concept and convincing marketing in their catalog, but was sorely disappointed after using two cores. I hate to be so negative about another curriculum provider but in my opinion SL is nothing more than a glorified book list. A list of books to read through. There is no interaction with the books beyond a few comprehension questions in the IG. Some of the books are good, some aren't. There are some sketchy choices in there, and not age-appropriate or engaging in many cases (esp. the read-alouds). HOD's book choices are light years away...HOD's book choices are rich, God-honoring, and are more pure in content - untainted by modern book trends, dug out of a treasure chest from yesteryear if necessary. Fabulous book choices and CM interaction with those books...exactly what I wanted when I tried SL, but am getting with HOD. :D

Sorry to be so negative :( But I just want to be as honest as possible since SL is an expensive investment and HOD is a precious treasure not to be cast aside! :P Since you are enjoying it so much and it obviously resonates with you, why switch?

I agree with this, and also want to add another HUGE difference: Carrie has her Masters in Education! A curriculum written by a 'real' teacher is just so different. Complete. I know this very well because my dd is just finishing up her 8th year of using SL! She loves the books, but what I have never loved is the almost complete lack of interaction with the materials. I have added so much to her SL over the years to try and get more out of it. :? That's why I keep saying I really, really wish HOD had been around much sooner (or my kids were younger)! It's just chock full of everything---EVERYTHING---I was hoping SL was....but just isn't. Another major difference between SL and HOD that I will just touch on is philosophy and chat boards. The creators of SL seem to have a very different take on education---so even though a lot of the books and materials are the same in both programs----it's the way Carrie incorporates the books and materials that makes them light years apart. The chat board difference...um...I guess I could liken that to the difference between a beautiful field of fragrant wildflowers and a dangerous minefield that every step must be watched to avoid getting hurt :shock: I will just say that visiting here always leaves me feeling more uplifted about homeschooling and using HOD.
CtC--9th

holyhart
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Location: ~New Hampshire
Contact:

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by holyhart » Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:33 am

I will just say that visiting here always leaves me feeling more uplifted about homeschooling and using HOD.
AMEN!!! :D
~Kelly~
wife of CB since 10/99
mother to:
~Evelyn Grace 5/03
~Joshua Ryan 11/05
~Lillian Rose 8/08
~Caleb Charles 8/10

my3sons
Posts: 10702
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 7:08 pm
Location: South Dakota

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by my3sons » Wed Apr 13, 2011 9:52 am

Thank you ladies - what a happy way to start my day this thread has given! :D It is powerful to define why we are homeschooling. That list I shared really was off the top of my head as those are the things going through my head constantly. They are my mental reminders of why I am doing what I am doing, and they are also what provide the clarity to help me say "no" to things that lead me astray.

...a beautiful field of fragrant wildflowers...

What lovely imagery! You must be a reader of living books - very beautiful - and so true! Thanks for this.
Love in Christ,
Julie
Enjoyed LHTH to USII
Currently using USI
Wife to Rich for 28 years
Mother to 3 sons, ages 23, 20, and 16
Sister to Carrie

mamabeavabjo
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:59 pm

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by mamabeavabjo » Wed Apr 13, 2011 10:08 am

I have loved reading this thread. It's what helped us solidify our change from SL to HOD next year. I hadn't been able to organize all my thoughts and feelings and philosopical ideas about education until I read this thread. We've used SL for 3 years now and love the reading, but I've also had to add/enhance/rearrange so much. Thanks for the uplifting and thoughtful posts!
Enjoying Bigger Hearts with dds 8,7, modified LHFHG with dd 5 and ds 2 keeping things exciting!

Heart_Mom
Posts: 473
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:35 am

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by Heart_Mom » Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:20 am

my3sons wrote: ...a beautiful field of fragrant wildflowers...
I must agree that the HOD forum is aptly described this way! I've spent time on other homeschooling forums, including the SL forum, and sadly they are often places of discouragement and unbiblical advice.

I'm so thankful to be here! :D :D :D
Blessings,
Elisabeth

ds - 17
dd - 14
dd - 12
ds - 9
dd - 5 (Little Hearts for His Glory)

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

amysconfections
Posts: 247
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:37 pm
Location: AL

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by amysconfections » Wed Apr 13, 2011 12:05 pm

Thanks Julie for sharing your family goals. You have such a gift of words. Those goals sound so similar to my beliefs and goals but I have not taken the time to write them out. I'm still in such a baby fog sometimes I doubt it would come out so eloquently! So thanks. I am planning to print that list off. I am hoping to write out my goals soon and I will use some of them. :D Who am I kidding, I will probably use all of them! :lol:
Amy
T-18 Masters degree Cyber Security WGU
T-16 Bachelors in Cyber Security WGU
A-12 Res to Ref
A-10 Res to Ref
Heart of Dakota user since 2007.

JoyinIndo
Posts: 42
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 1:21 am

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by JoyinIndo » Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:19 pm

my3sons wrote:
I have found that I have to be alright with my decisions, and know in my soul they are right for our family. I have learned to be able to stand alone sometimes because of this. There are people who are my friends and even who are part of my extended family that don't agree with my decisions. They have not been convinced that what we are doing is right. I do not try to convince them or win them over. I have found time does that for me. As my dc are growing and maturing, there is something special about them. I'm not trying to be prideful here, but they just are different. They are innocent. They have an easy rapport with each other, with my dh and me, and socially with adults and dc alike. They know their academics. They know their Lord. It shines through, and slowly but surely, others are having a grudging respect for that. They are not perfect, but they are not as much "of this world" as I was at their age. I love that. The Lord must too. I am praying for strength for you as you discuss this with your friend. I hope something here has helped!

Love in Christ,
Julie
Julie,
I,like others, loved the list. I am saving it and keeping it for future reference and am going to be making my own to add on to it. But, this paragraph (above) is what really touched me. It is what brought tears to my eyes. YES. This is what I see beginning in my children and what I want to encourage to keep growing in them. THIS is what I want for my children. Thank you for saying it so beautifully.
Thankful for you, dear Julie,
Joy

luvschoolin2
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 3:54 pm

Re: sonlight vs heart of dakota

Post by luvschoolin2 » Wed Apr 13, 2011 4:33 pm

my3sons wrote: ...a beautiful field of fragrant wildflowers...

What lovely imagery! You must be a reader of living books - very beautiful - and so true! Thanks for this.
Love in Christ,
Julie

Aww---thanks! :) Yes---pre-reading all those wonderful living books in CtC must be making quite an impression! And I have to say that reading your weekly updates with pictures of your sons each week is actually something I look forward to (along with everyone else's!) :wink:

By the way---if you are the Julie Grosz that used to edit for HOD----I am floored that not only do you live in SD---where my very closest homeschool buddy was born and raised, but their last name is Grohs and they have a daughter Julie!
CtC--9th

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