just getting started

AmyB · Post by **AmyB** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:24 pm

I just started homeschooling two months ago and was turned this direction by a fellow homeschooler. I really like the materials but have a few questions and am open to any and all suggestions.
1. My oldest will probably be using "Preparing" and we are struggling with being able to buy all the books and our library doesn't carry all of them; can we substitute other books in that would go along or are similar to the suggested book and still make it work?
2. My oldest is 9 and she reads and comprehends well, but does not read between the lines very well to find the meaning, she also struggles with creative writing, so would it be better to put her in "Bigger" or "Preparing".
3. Does Drawn Into Reading go along with the Hist Reading, or is this completely separate?
This should get me started for now, I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
Thanks for your time!
Amy

Kathleen · Post by **Kathleen** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:37 pm

Amy,

I just wanted to say hi and welcome!

The only question that I can answer for you is that Drawn into the Heart of Reading is separate from the History portions of the guides. It is used to cover the 9 main genres of literature and serves as your complete reading program.

Kathleen

inHistiming · Post by **inHistiming** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:00 pm

Have you looked at the placement chart yet? You will find it here:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
This will help you place your child in the correct guide according to her ability.

If you can't buy all of the books, would you be able to purchase just the ones your library does not have? Then, you could just plan ahead to be sure you have the correct book from the library at the right time.

As for DITHOR, it is a reading program designed for independent readers in grades 2nd-8th. Otherwise you would use the emergent reader's schedule in the back of Bigger...until dc is an independent reader. I hope that helps some.

Post by **Carrie** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:00 am

Amy,

Welcome to the boards!

I know other moms will be along to welcome you and chime in, but I did want to pop-in and let you know that with any of our programs you are always welcome to purchase only the Economy Package (as those are the necessary items needed to make the program function). We break our resources down into packages, so all types of families and incomes can use our programs.

In addition to the Economy Package, you would need to cover the items listed in the "Choices" section of our packages page somehow (either with our choices or your own) to make sure you have language arts and math covered as well.

The rest of the packages are also written to coordinate with the plans in "Preparing..." but are not as necessary. We work very hard to design our guides to have the core teaching centered around the Economy Package. That way you are not required to have the other packages.

You will have a harder time finding the books in our other packages for "Preparing.." at the library because quite a few of them are from Christian publishers or are classics not as readily available. This is due to our desire to balance out the telling of world history with a Biblical perspective.

Drawn into the Heart of Reading is designed to work with any book you choose. So, it can be used very easily with library books.

Let us know what you think after checking out the placement chart!

Blessings,
Carrie

Candice · Post by **Candice** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:15 am

Amy,

Welcome, neat to have you here!

Candice

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:37 pm

I'm just bumping this back up to the top to go with Amy's other post.

Any ideas for her ladies?

LeAnna · Post by **LeAnna** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:40 pm

Hi Amy!

Just wanted to say "hi" and Welcome!!! I am sure you will get all your questions answered here. The ladies are all very helpful!!!

MamaMary · Post by **MamaMary** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:33 am

Hi Amy, (((Waving)))

Everyone has done such a wonderful job answering your questions. I get to rush in just to say "hello" and "welcome"! I am so glad you are here. I am Mary from Florida, Mom to four wonderful sons. I look forward to getting to know you as we journey this road together!