New to homeschooling and have questions...

[palzy13]

Hi everyone. I'm looking to homeschool my 5th & 7th graders next year and was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance on which of these programs would be good for combining the grades. Thanx in advance for your help!!

[ForHisGlory]

Hi there! I don't have an answer for you since my son is just starting Kindergarten, but I just wanted to drop by and welcome you! You will find the ladies here on the HOD Board to be such a blessing!

[my3sons]

Hi palzy13, and welcome to the HOD Board! I think you will find this board such an encouraging place to be - I sure do. If you could please check out the placement chart, and give some information in regard to each of your dc with the first page of the placement chart in mind (which addresses reading, writing, grammar, etc.), then we will all gladly chime in and chat through some options with you! Here is a link to the placement chart...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

We'll all look forward to helping you and to getting to know you here! HOD gives such an exciting way to teach our dc - I find myself loving the learning as much as them. I'm so glad your family will get to enjoy it as well.

In Christ,
Julie

[palzy13]

Thanx for the warm welcome! I've looked at the placement charts and honestly I'm not exactly sure where my dd falls. Preparing hearts may work well for her however, I'm concerned it will be too easy for my ds. Has anyone used Preparing hearts with a 7th grader? I'm also looking at Creation to Christ. Has anyone used that with their 5th grader? Thanx so much!!! Pam

[pjdobro]

CTC is often used for 5th grade. It is recommended for ages 9-11 with extensions for 6th and 7th grade. It might be the right fit for both of your dc. How did they place on the chart? If you can't quite figure out how they place, perhaps you could share how they are in reading level, what they have done as far as grammar, how are they at following directions and working independently, do they like to write and have they had much writing practice in writing narrations, reports, etc. If you could share more specifics about each one, we'll try to help you figure out where they best place.

[my3sons]

I wondered if it might help if I asked you some questions that parallel what the placement chart is trying pinpoint? I'll give it a try, and then maybe you could try to answer them to the best of your knowledge? Then we can shoot from there.

Do you think you could share some books each of them have read independently and understood well recently?
Have they been reading their own history and science, and if so, have they been able to do well with that?
Have they had any formal literature studies, where they have learned about story elements, like plot, setting, contrast, etc.?
How much are they able to comfortably write each day? Sentences? Paragraphs? Pages?
Have they had grammar, and if so what program(s) have they done? Have they done any diagramming of sentences?
How would you say they follow step-by-step written directions?
Do they work fairly well independently, or do you need to be right near them reading directions to them and helping them complete assignments?

If you get the chance to tell us about each of your dc in regard to these questions that would really help us give better advice, as we all know dc can vary greatly in what they can do at any given age or stage in life. I'd love to hear any answers you have, and then would be glad to help you pick a placement. All of the HOD guides are amazing, so whichever one best fits your dc skillwise will be the one that will give you the best year. I'll check back, and we'll chat this through! I know the other ladies will help then too - this board is full of the most wonderful Christian ladies - so encouraging, and such kind hearts. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie