New to Heart of Dakota

[thebetancourt6]

Hello everyone! We are new to homeschooling this Fall and are looking into HOD curriculum for our 2nd, 5th, and 7th grader. I have been overwhelmed with curriculum choices, but am really leaning towards HOD because of the positive Biblical emphasis. We are on a tight budget, so if we can keep our curriculum package friendly to our 3 children combined, then it would help greatly. We have chosen another math program, so that's the only subject we wouldn't need. Any suggestions on where to begin? Thanks!

[8arrows]

I would think it might be hard to combine the 2nd grader, but that the 5th and 7th graders should be easy to combine. Look at the placement chart and let us know where they fall. It is not a problem at all to use your own math. I combine my 4th, 5th, and 8th graders (8th grader uses extensions), but I placed my K and 1st in a separate program. We will wait to see where your sweet children fall on the placement chart, and them I think we can be a lot more help to you. We also love the Biblical focus of HOD.

[raceNzanesmom]

I agree. Look at the placement chart and see where each child fits. Then see if your oldest two could be combined with extensions for your oldest.

Welcome to HOD!

[Carrie]

The ladies are giving such good advice! We'd love to help you with your placement for your family, so if you get a chance to pop back and share where each of your children fit on the first page of the chart on their own, then we can talk about possible combining scenarios.

Blessings,
Carrie

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board! One of the main reasons we chose to homeschool was to be able to have a Biblical focus to our learning. HOD has provided for that need beautifully! The heartfelt discussions we have had, and the way God's hand is woven into our studies about history, science, reading, writing, devotions, etc. - it's just such a blessing. This board has been such an encouragement to me too. Like-minded Christian ladies that have such helpful ideas and encouragement to provide - it's just a big part of my life. The placement chart is such a good way to look at each of our dc and then see what fits for them and for our families. We all would love to hear about each of your dc with the first page of the placement chart in mind, and then we can throw out some ideas until you find a fit that's good for your family. Here is a link to that:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

I look forward to hearing about your dc, and getting to know you better here!
In Christ,
Julie

[my3luvs]

Welcome!!!

[thebetancourt6]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all of your welcoming and helpful encouragement! I am working on going through the placement chart for each of my 3 children. I forgot to also mention that I may be homeschooling our eldest, who will be a senior in high school. Since he is only missing a few credits to graduate (and has to make up an English credit), I am still trying to find out where he is at from his public HS counselor. That of in itself has been quite a challenge. So as soon as I figure out where to place my 3 younger ones, I will let you all know so you can share your HOD expertise with me! Thanks for making me feel like I'm already a part of the HOD family!

[my3sons]

Oh, it's good to hear back from you! When considering placement, it is helpful to print off the first page of the placement chart, one copy for each child. Then you can think only of that one child and circle where that child falls in the columns of the placement chart, and then move on to the next child and the next printed off placement chart. This really helps us as moms try to think of just one child at a time. I just thought I'd share this tip as I found it helpful! We'll all be glad to help once you get back to us here with any new information you glean from that.

In Christ,
Julie

[thebetancourt6]

Alright everyone, here's the scoop: My 2nd grader (age 7) placed at Bigger Hearts for His Glory, my 5th grader (age 10 in Aug) is between Creation to Christ and Resurrection to Reformation due to her strong writing skills, and I figured my 7th grader (age 12 in July) could work with her with extensions for her age/grade level. With my 2nd grader, he placed in Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory in regards to a few of the categories, so I'm not sure if I need to just bring him up to BHFHG or just let him start at BLHFHG? I don't want to go too fast for him, but don't want to have him too behind as well. All of my children have been in public school thus far. My high school senior will need 3 elective credits, English IV, and make up English III with government and economics to graduate. I don't see any high school choices in HOD, can anyone also recommend some for this age? Thanks again everyone. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions/guidance!

[raceNzanesmom]

Welcome!

We used Rod & Staff for our oldest for high school English. It is thorough and advanced. For something more self directed you might look at ACE or CLE. They come in little work packets. They're nice for kids to work through without a lot of teacher involvement. Does his English III and IV have to be grammar, writing, etc or can it include lit? My son enjoyed the Lord of the Rings study from Christian Novel Studies and it's inexpensive. Progeny Press also makes nice guides. He could pick books and make a credit out of it. Hands on Essays is a good writing program if he needs help in that area, but I could only get about 1/3 of a credit out of it. I added it to his english. For economics our son enjoyed Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? along with the guide. They have some others too.

For electives I'd pick what interests him and will help in college or the workforce. Our son took several graphics classes, Spanish 1 & 2, advanced art, hands on editing and filming since that's his career goal. If you have a community college check if he could take classes there. You can usually get high school and college credit for the same class.

Feel free to PM me if I can be of help. Our oldest graduated on Sunday.

Our youngest, 2nd grade in the fall, will use Beyond Little Hearts.

[my3sons]

Alright everyone, here's the scoop: My 2nd grader (age 7) placed at Bigger Hearts for His Glory, my 5th grader (age 10 in Aug) is between Creation to Christ and Resurrection to Reformation due to her strong writing skills, and I figured my 7th grader (age 12 in July) could work with her with extensions for her age/grade level. With my 2nd grader, he placed in Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory in regards to a few of the categories, so I'm not sure if I need to just bring him up to BHFHG or just let him start at BLHFHG? I don't want to go too fast for him, but don't want to have him too behind as well. All of my children have been in public school thus far. My high school senior will need 3 elective credits, English IV, and make up English III with government and economics to graduate. I don't see any high school choices in HOD, can anyone also recommend some for this age? Thanks again everyone. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions/guidance!

Thanks for sharing here! I am wondering which areas your ds placed in Bigger Hearts, and if he just turned 7 yo or if he is going to be 8 yo when you start homeschooling? As he will be new to homeschooling and new to Charlotte Mason skills, and as he'd be on the very young side of Bigger Hearts and it's a pretty meaty guide, I'd be inclined to place him in Beyond Little Hearts, but if you can tell me a bit about his age and his reading, writing, math skills according the placement chart, I'd probably feel more confident about which placement would fit better. For your 10 and almost 12 yo, I think "Creation to Christ" would be an excellent place to start. You can have your 12 yo do the extensions, and this would be plenty. Here is a link to high school recommendations for your oldest - HTH!
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6571

In Christ,
Julie