Library or purchase books for PHFHG

[momoffourblessings]

Hello, I am new here and I am considering purchasing the PHFHG for my 9 ds soon to be 10. It is alot of money to buy all the books on a whim and hope and pray that the program works for him. I would spend the money in a second if I knew for sure that it would work well with him. So my question is, which books are readily available at the library (we have a fairly decent one) and which ones should be purchased? If I have this information I could count and consider the cost of trying it out.

Thanks so much!

[netpea]

Is your primary concern whether you are placing him in the right program or whether HOD is the best fit for you?

I know when my son had trouble with CTC, I was able to return the unused books to HOD and exchange them for Preparing. HOD has excellent customer service!

If your question is whether HOD is right for you, there are sample weeks on the website for each guide, you could download one and give it a try. If you are unsure where your son places we can help you figure that out.

As for the library, we aren't going to be able to help you there. Every library is different and some have access to more books from other libraries through InterLibraryLoan (ILL). Your best bet would be to visit your library and ask the librarian to help you or you can go to their website and see if their card catalog is online. My library's card catalog online has a link to the statewide ILL catalog.

[my3sons]

Great advice from pp! I agree, feeling at peace about placement is a huge step toward making sure dc (and us mamas ) enjoy HOD to the fullest! So, here's a link to the placement chart, in case you need it...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

Like netpea shared, HOD has excellent customer service and a great return policy, so if you find it is not a fit and need to change out your books for a different guide or level of something, it is easy to do! Libraries vary widely, so checking with your local library would be a good way to start. I would say that it is best to own the Economy Package, the Science Economy Add-on, and the Deluxe Package. You could just start with these and see. The package savings, substitution policies, and shipping savings HOD offers are very helpful as well!

It's easiest to use your library for read alouds and DITHOR titles, as these are changed out more often, like monthly. So, that would be a good way to try to utilize your library! We just did PHFHG, and it gave us a truly amazing homeschooling year with our 9 yo. I think you would love it too! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[mom23]

My library is really small, but is part of a regional group of libraries and they have their catalogue online. That's your best bet-to go to your library's website and start searching for some of these titles.

One thing I did that may be something to consider is to just order the materials that you need for the first 10 units (or whatever chunk you decide will give you a good feel for whether the program is going to work.) I think the materials are listed pretty much in order in the catalogue, or if you want I'll look through my PHFHG guide and get you a list of what you need for the time that you want to try it out.

[momoffourblessings]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Our library is also part of a larger group of libraries so I am hopeful that I can get most books there. I will probably take several/all the advice. Mom23 I should be getting my catalog soon, to see a listing of all the books needed and wanted, so I won't ask you to look them up for me, but I appreciate your offer. Julie, what does DITHOR mean? I am not familiar with all the acronymns yet. I am pretty sure I will start him in the PHFHG, that level seems it will be fairly easy for him, I am just afraid of getting the next level and overwhelming him. Before I decide that for sure, or order anything; I will throughly scour the catalog and also get on here ask opinions on where to place him. Once again thanks so much! I am really hoping that I have finally found the right fit!

[mrsrandolph]

I would buy them. They are keepers!!

[funkmomma71]

I know for a fact that my library and it's ILL stinks!! I may be able to find a few books needed, but if I just took those books out of my purchase my savings would be minimal, if any at all. I hope you are able to find enough books to give Preparing a thorough evaluation. For me it had to be a leap of faith, one I'm looking forward to begin.

I agree with Julie about the DITHOR (Drawn into the Heart of Reading) books. You can usually find all those books or at least good substitutes, or I can borrow from friends.

DITHOR is the reading program sold by Heart of Dakota, and I can't say enough good things about it. I can truly say that I have tried other reading programs and book guides and I always come back to DITHOR. Okay, that's enough testimonial time!