The reasons behind HoD's choices

[Busymomma1]

I'm looking forward to reading these! It helps to build confidence in "why" we're doing what we're doing!

[sw1ssm1ss]

I know this is my first post ever, but I want to say this thread is so, so, so good. It should absolutely be a stickie!

My daughter and I are finishing LHFHG. It's been a good year, but phonics has been a bit of a struggle. I wish I'd had this information a year ago. If I had read the things this links to, I would have chosen one of the suggested phonics programs. Instead, we "burned out" on 100 Easy Lessons, then on the Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. Then we made a mid-year switch (on the advice of a friend) to doing sight reading with Rod and Staff. It is working for now, and I'm gently working phonics teaching into it. But I wish, wish, wish that I'd just stuck with what HoD suggests!

I also didn't know the thoughts about Singapore Math. I'd heard it was "good" and we've used it, but I was starting to consider changing to a different program because of some of the things Singapore seems to lack--lots of practice, memorization. I'm glad I didn't! I'm also going to be more diligent in the future about doing the hands-on practice.

The moral of the story is: though HoD can work with other phonics or math programs, it's well worth considering the curriculums Carrie has chosen!

[Carrie]

Ladies,

You've done a great job of linking threads that will be of help to all of us! I'll make this a sticky! Feel free to add if you find threads that answer other frequently asked questions.

Blessings,
Carrie

[birchbark]

Write With The Best:
viewtopic.php?p=48307#p48307

[moedertje]

Why Carrie opted to put A Reason for Handwriting in the guides, since many come upon Happy Handwriting and wonder!

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4990

[birchbark]

Materials used in RTR:

Looking at Pictures
Philippians materials
Emily Dickinson's poetry
Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons from IEW

viewtopic.php?p=39025#p39025

[Carrie]

Ladies,

Here are a few recent links that you wanted to have added to this thread.

Feel free to add any others you think may be helpful!

Higher Level Thinking Opportunities in Guides: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8178&p=59730

Philosophy Behind Independent Work: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8220&p=59880

Overarching Biblical Goals and Philosophy: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8249

Blessings,
Carrie

[birchbark]

Why no "answer keys:"
viewtopic.php?p=64469#p64469

[John'smom]

Writing Output in HOD and progression over the years

[John'smom]

Philosophy Behind Narration

[birchbark]

LA for future high school guides:
viewtopic.php?p=66802#p66802

[Carrie]

Grammar plan through high school: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9137

Blessings,
Carrie

[Carrie]

A Series of Posts on Common Questions...

As we are in our busy season with conventions, phone calls, and inquiries on the message board (and families are prayerfully pondering the path that the Lord would have them take this upcoming homeschool year), I felt led to write a series of posts that offer answers to some of our most commonly asked questions. My responses will strive to explain HOD's philosophy behind the answer to each question.

In answering these questions, I also want to share that my educational philosophy has changed much during my 22+ years as a career teacher. Spending 11 years in the public school setting first, then getting my master's degree to be a principal, and finally spending the last 11 years as a home educator has allowed me to view education from almost every angle. I know each of you are on the journey to find the philosophy that fits you too and that your philosophy will also be a work-in-progress. So, I share these thoughts not as "the" right answers, but the answers I've found that make sense to me and my family. We are always fine-tuning our philosophy as we travel the homeschool path, knowing we have never arrived but are always learning.

I hope my thoughts will prove to be food-for-thought for each of you, as you ponder your family's needs and how HOD may fit into your homeschooling journey. I also want to add that this is not my entire educational philosophy, by any means, but only the parts that focus on questions I get asked often that I may not have fully answered previously. We continue to spend much time answering Biblical and character based questions, so you will not find those specifically addressed within this thread. However, I mention this now as I wish for you to keep in mind that to our family the most important focus is upon our Lord and Savior, and He is our guiding light as we write and minister to others.

I wrote these responses for inclusion in the "Reasons Behind HOD's Choices", which will hopefully be of help to families as they ponder using HOD in their homes. While I would deeply love to open each question up to discussion, I am in my busiest writing season right now, leaving me no time to respond further. So, at this point I decided to place the questions and answers on the board in an informational only capacity in the hopes that they will be useful in that capacity.

Question 1: What are we considering, when you ask us which guide your family should use?
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9338

Question 2: Why do we ask you to look at the placement chart for each of your individual children when considering the best placement for your family?
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9339

Question 3: Why can’t I just place my children in HOD where they would fit next in the history cycle?
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9340

Question 4: Why don’t we recommend having children younger than the target age range of the HOD guide simply listen in with the older student’s guide?
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9341

Question 5: What would my child be missing out on if I did choose to combine him/her in a guide that doesn’t fit him/her well on the placement chart?
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9342

Question 6: How will we be learning as a family, if we do separate guides?
Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9343

Blessings,
Carrie

[daybreaking]

The series of posts was fantastic! Thanks, Carrie, for taking the time to write them! I enjoyed reading each post and learned quite a bit!

[Carrie]

Daybreaking,

I'm so glad! It took quite a bit of time to get it all written, but we pray it may be of help as families ponder HOD!

Blessings,
Carrie