Possibly switching to HOD...have some questions

[lovemythree]

We are in our second year of homeschooling around here and things are going well with the exception of one thing. We are using MFW ECC and really enjoy it. My dd (will be 11yo this month) is doing great with it, but it is for the most part over the heads of ds7 and ds6. Because of this I'm thinking of using HOD (probably BLHFHG, did I get that right? lol!) with the boys after Christmas and continuing on with ECC for dd. I'm thinking ahead to next year though and if all goes well and it seems like a good fit, I'd like to have dd use HOD as well. I have no idea where to place her though. According to the charts, I think she will fit best under RTR, but she's not had ancient history yet, so would that be odd to begin her there? Besides, I'd hoped she could do American history b/c she's not had a full year of that either...or is that even a big deal ? She will be a sixth grader next year, so I'm stressed b/c I feel like she's getting to the point where it matters more what we do. I'm completely stumped as to what would be best for her. Suggestions, please???

[Heidi in AK]

Hi, and welcome to the HOD boards! You got the acronym for "Beyond" right; we usually just call it Beyond around here. Before you decide that your 6 and 7 year olds would be best fit there, have you checked the placement charts yet? That's where it's best to start. Here's a link.

http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Once you have gone through for each of your DC, the lovely ladies here (and even Carrie and Julie, the editor for HOD's curriculum) can give you guidance on how to proceed.

[water2wine]

Welcome! I would just add to what Heidi suggested and say that you place your older dd when she is done with ECC if you are finishing that. I would not worry about where she is in the history cycle. HOD is completely different in placement than MFW. You really do want to go where they place. But do look at the extension packs if she happens to fit in the older range. Perhaps with that you can make the two coincide. But if not do not worry. Eventually she will have it all.

[my3sons]

Welcome to the HOD Board, lovemythree! I think your 6 and 7 yo are going to love doing Beyond. It is such a neat program, and they will feel so empowered as they will be able to do it all and enjoy every bit of it! How wise of you to recognize this need in your dc, and as long as they fit well in Beyond according to the placement chart, they will surely have a wonderful year with it.

I agree with the others, checking out the placement chart for your oldest after she's completed her other curriculum would be a good idea, as much can change over a sometimes short amount of time. However, if the planner in you is wanting to try to get a feel for placement now (can you tell I am a planner? ), then I'd print off the first week of plans of RTR, and really look over the "I" boxes, which are intended to be "Independent". This will be quite telling as far as placement goes. If dd can do these things well independently - which means using the RTR guide as her own to read the box's directions, get out the books/supplies she needs, complete the task step by step independently, handle the level of reading/writing of the box well - then she will be well placed in RTR. If you find yourself thinking you'd need to step in and help with this or that, read this or that, or modify this or that to make it easier, than looking at CTC would be a good idea. I hope something here helps, but with HOD, every guide is so good, that placement is really best based on skills. HTH, and I look forward to getting to know you here! HOD has been an incredible blessing in our home, I pray it will be in yours too.

In Christ,
Julie