As we move into high school, the design of the guides...

[Carrie]

Ladies,

As we're getting ready for church this morning, I thought I'd update this thread to answer a few more questions that have come up in this thread.

As far as science goes, at this point our plan is to either list all 3 sciences by page number, experiment number etc. in the daily plans, or separately for purchase, or else in the Appendix. If we go the Appendix route, we would have 3 separate sciences in list form by unit and day in the Appendix (similar to the math plans currently in the guides now). In this way, you could have a sticky note (or page holder of some sort) on the science plans you're using and check off the days. The sciences would all be equal possibilities in this particular guide, because it is likely that a child could eventually use them all. For example, we probably won't give more than one choice for each branch of science (i.e not two biology options) but instead have choices among the branches for each year (i.e. integrated physics and chemistry, biology, or physical science). Since Exploration Education is already scheduled in Rev2Rev, we're not 100% sure yet whether that one will be included in the geography guide. If it were included, it would likely be without the inventor study (as that part in Rev2Rev contains many additional directions). So, we'll see.

As far as the directions in the boxes go, I can see the need to continue with the T, S, I in the plans. In thinking about the key ideas, I am trying to decide if it would be strange to have some boxes with key ideas and others with none? I really like unity in format, which is also why I'm wondering if I could switch back and forth between a brief bulleted list and a paragraph form of direction writing? I'll ponder these more!

Your thoughts are so helpful to me as it can feel like a maze of possibilities when considering all of the options! It helps me clarify what I think about the guide's design when putting it into words for all of you too! I feel much more assured from this thread that the daily format is the way most of us would like to see the HOD guides go as we head into high school. So, this is a weighty decision about which I now feel more peaceful! I'd love to hear any more thoughts you may have that pertain to this topic.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Wilfam12]

Hi, CArrie,

Just curious if you are planning to use the Apologia Science books for High School in your guides?

Julee

[Wilfam12]

Sorry!
I just now read through the previous posts, and realized science was actually addressed! Please disregard my previous question!

[school4princesses]

As far as science goes, at this point our plan is to either list all 3 sciences by page number, experiment number etc. in the daily plans or else in the Appendix. If we go the Appendix route, we would have 3 separate sciences in list form by unit and day in the Appendix (similar to the math plans currently in the guides now). In this way, you could have a sticky note (or page holder of some sort) on the science plans you're using and check off the days. The sciences would all be equal possibilities in this particular guide, because it is likely that a child could eventually use them all. For example, we probably won't give more than one choice for each branch of science (i.e not two biology options) but instead have choices among the branches for each year (i.e. integrated physics and chemistry, biology, or physical science). Since Exploration Education is already scheduled in Rev2Rev, we're not 100% sure yet whether that one will be included in the geography guide. If it were included, it would likely be without the inventor study (as that part in Rev2Rev contains many additional directions). So, we'll see.

While I can see the need for convenience of having the science plans in the appendix, the reality is if you are writing science plans that can be used with any of the high school plans, then it seems to me it would be more prudent to have them separate. (By the way, I think that having them work that way is a great idea, because so often with high school science it is often dependent on which math level they have reached as well as what they plan to pursue after high school that determines which science are doable or required.) Otherwise each guide is going to contain the same plans, bringing the total page count of each guide (and therefore the price) much higher. Also we would be paying for the same plans more than once that way. For those who enjoy having everything in one place, a great way to do that is to have the binding cut off, three hole punch the pages, and put all of them into a binder. But it seems silly to me to put all of the science plans in each guide. Dictation is already that way, and since my guides are separated as I described above, I just made one dictation notebook with all the levels in it so that it doesn't take up so much space. All the kids work out of the same binder. Those 3 inch notebooks are heavy, hard to store, and don't stay snapped tight as well in my experience.

[mamanlait]

Again, I'm so pleased with the Daily Plan layout of HOD. I thought I'd chime back in later in the conversation with other topics. I believe taking away the Key Idea from the "boxes" that don't contain scheduled work (like math) will go unnoticed and leave more room for more extensive descriptions in other "boxes" whether bulleted or paragraph (doesn't matter to me ). By the way I enjoy having all optional programs (like Math/Dictation/Reading and in this case, science) in one place. I'm one who uses the Guide as-is with the current binding. I'm not nearly organized enough to separate the Appendices out like I've heard some do.

In terms of science, I LOVE the current science layout and would be grateful to have a scheduled science program like Physical Science/Chemistry for High School Yr. 1, Biology for HS Yr 2, etc. and put the optional one or two science programs in the Appendix. I think if you just picked one for each year as your science and scheduled it on the Daily Plan page many of us would be thrilled. This would be very helpful to those of us who are likely to use what is scheduled in that box and complete a full spectrum of science during the HS years this way without using the Appendix. I hope I'm writing this in a clear way. I guess to clarify, I prefer you make your long range science plan for the 4 years, choose one of those for each year and schedule that one in the Daily Plan but allow for options by scheduling other Science programs in the Appendix. This may not be the easiest way for you; and, in that case, I'm happy to have all scheduled in the Appendix. I'm just making my wish list. Maybe I should just ask why all the science options without a Daily scheduled box? I'm not to HS yet so perhaps there are differing state requirements for each HS year. In that case, I would encourage you to write it for your children and let us choose optional choices as needed.

Thank you many times over for sharing HOD with us! Praying that God will give you the time, energy, and ingenuity you need to write the next guide.

[bethelmommy]

I agree with the pp that it would be great to have you choose and schedule out the 4 yrs. of science for us and include the other options in the appendix. That would be ideal for me . However, since that is not something you are considering at this point, my next preference would be to have all three options scheduled in the daily plans if space allows. Next preference would be to have them included in the appendix. Like the pp, I prefer to have as much as possible all in one place.

I think it is OK to have key ideas in some boxes (like history) but not all if that helps with space.

[8arrows]

Is it OK to ask whether the high school guides will be 4 or 5 day guides? If it is a 4 day, could you put in a blank grid for Fridays--or half-page grids (one for the week before and one for the week after to save pages? One idea that has not worked well for my high school daughter this year is using the HOD guide and a separate planner. I am just going to write any of her high school extensions into the MTMM guide next year. I would also like to have a couple of pages in the back of the guide for high schoolers to record extra books they have read. A page for extracurriculars would be great as well. That way we could just keep the guide as our record keeping for the year. That may be the reason we like the daily schedule so much. It feels more like a planner.

I am OK with some boxes containing key ideas and some not. I do rather like the idea of one science scheduled and another in the appendix. There really are countless details you have to consider. These discussion will help us appreciate all your hard work even more!

[pjdobro]

I'll weigh in here on the science options. I think it would be easiest to me to see them covered the same way that you do math right now with a reminder in the daily plans and the actual pages listed in the appendix. If several of the sciences do span several years of the guide, I don't think it is a problem to include that in each of those guides. It doesn't seem to take up that many pages listed the way the math pages are now. I just glanced at my guide and saw that the math guides took 13 pages total for 3 years of math so I don't think having 13 extra pages in each guide would add that much bulk or hopefully cost. The great thing for you is once you get those done this year, the next couple of years will be easier! If you do decide that there will be a more focused science option each year, then I can see that in the daily plans and the other options listed in the appendix.

I'm glad you are thinking of keeping the I, T, and S notations. I think it helps both the student and teacher know what is expected of them and helps keep the right balance in the plans. I don't mind if the graphics are gone in the high school guide. Though they are pretty, they aren't necessary and I think by high school, we might have to be more focused with the actual plans. It sounds like space might be at a premium in the high school guides with all that you have planned.

I'm getting excited about this new guide as I hear your thoughts on all that you are thinking for the guides. We still have quite a ways until we get there, but it is fun hearing it all come together and know what will be waiting for us down the line. I'll continue to be praying for you as you forge ahead using this fantastic gift that God has given you.

[LynnH]

For the science options my preference would be to have one scheduled in the daily plans and the optional ones in the appendix like a pp said. I use the guides as is for everything but math and I most likely will continue to do that unless I just have to change due to my ds and his learning challenges. When I used the science from the appendix for RTR I struggled a bit and ended up putting it all on homeschool tracker and printing it out each day for my ds. However if it is easier for you to put it all in the appendix then I can make that work also.

I am getting very excited about this Geography guide.

[water2wine]

As we move into writing formal high school level guides, I have been endlessly pondering what format the guide should take at this level. After exploring options for almost 6 months now, I had pretty much decided to continue on with the format in which the guides are currently written for many reasons.

Praise God! HOD is the one thing I know is going to be finished and done correctly. The only issues I ever have are with the electives outside of HOD. If I had any suggestion it might be to include a at a glance master plan for the scheduling of electives around HOD in the appendix. I always make one to see what days are best to put what. It is not hard to make on on your own though if people want to do that.

[water2wine]

Another thing I am weighing is whether it is wise to keep any graphics for the boxes in the high school editions (like the corner graphics on the boxes, the stars by the resources used, the coding for Independent, Semi-Independent, and Teacher Directed). This is another topic on which I'd love to hear your thoughts.

My vote is yes because it makes it easy extremely easy for me to check their work and keep up with their day. At the end of the day I look at all they have done and going through six kids those symbols make it so I have to not read it all to check it all.

[1handful]

Carrie,
So glad to see that you are leaning toward keeping the daily format! We have LOVED that part of HOD for 5 yrs now.
My girls, 14 and 12, use the MTMM guide independently. They began creating a daily schedule each morning by checking to see how the daily plan fits into their day...big jobs first, this before lunch, need mom's help, work together etc (takes less than 5 minutes). This helps them prioritize and also organize based on what is happening (regularly scheduled classes / activities, special events/ programs/ appts that may interrupt the day, times I am busy with the 5 younger siblings, late starts that happen for various reasons ) I believe this is preparing them for the real world as you give them direction on WHAT needs to be done and they determine the WHEN/ HOW to do it...without the tendency to "cram" things together that happens with a weekly format. They also gain experience with pacing/ spreading out material and tasks in order to "do it well" instead of just "get it done". I know you are looking toward how to build that important skill even more in future guides.

You are completely right about keeping the guide together. We are guilty of neglecting the DITHR teacher's guide.

Skipping the graphics, keeping TSI, and spreading out the LA box (dotted line or separated if possible) all get our votes as well.

Science plans--trusting your judgement completely on how to make that work best.

As space permits, maintain the writing format you use and PLEASE keep Key Ideas for history side and science. (Eliminating repetitive box info/ key ideas on the basics side). As a mom of many, I appreciate that your words help fill some of the teacher " interaction" for my children instead of having a list they simply check off. It also helps me keep the "conversation" going when I pick up the book and start Worthy Words/ History/ Science discussion and have key information and a flow to what I read...especially if I'm in the middle of diaper changes, toddler training, preschool problems, first grade phonics, or 3rd grade math. Remember you are the hero of the busy home school mom!

My 9th grade dd adds..."Don't change a thing!"

Thank you, Carrie, for the work you've done to help all of us be better home school teachers (and moms.) Praying God will continue to guide you!
Looking forward to Geography and completing high school with HOD,
Amanda Gibson

[Tiffini]

I just think it's wonderful and encouraging to see that so many responses thus far has been to keep the daily format. I love that there is unity in thought from all that use and love HOD and I hope that it brings great encouragement and clarity to Carrie as she has been praying about this issue for so long. I think a definite answer has been given! I also love to see that so many of us who use HOD for high school and those who have even graduated some children already feel that the daily format of HOD is working out very well and gives all the preparation needed to succeed in college studies. I have loved reading everyone's responses and viewpoints and feel so excited about the future of high schooling with HOD!

[Mom2Monkeys]

I was just thinking about the little graphics in the corners of each box...what if those where small boxes instead of an actual graphic so that we can easily put a checkmark to show it's complete or to number them in the order they should be done based on our own personal routine (or both)??

I didn't realize that science would be just text book page numbers and such. So does that mean that high school science won't be integrating other skills like the current guides? (written narrations, etc) If it's just page numbers, it seems it would take just a very small box each day within the guide to list all three, not in the appendix, but in the daily plans. Much like R&S grammar or boxes that say "choose one one of these options"!

Science Box

option 1- text pg #, quiz #, TM pg ##,
option 2- text pg #, experiment #, TM pg ##
option 3- text pg #, notebook #, TM pg ##

[SMiles]

I am enjoying reading all the responses, but haven't made my way through all of them as of yet. I have to say that the daily grid is one of the main reasons we love HOD so much! Like others have said, the weekly grids have a tendency to overwhelm. My kids and I love seeing at a glance what we need to do each day.

Another reason I love HOD is that there is so much included that I didn't get in any part of my schooling. I am continually amazed at how easy Carrie's choices (and breakdowns )have made writing for me and my kiddos. I love the content of what they are learning and the way it all pulls together. I have to say that in the realm of budgeting our finances, I see the priority of having the choices Carrie has included because I know they all tie together. I praise the Lord that He has led us to HOD and when Carrie announced high school guides we prayerfully adopted this course as the one we are sticking with through the end. I can tell just by looking at the guides that have been written that our children will be getting the best education that works for our family.

Daily grids work for our family and it is one of the things I often brag about to others when I show them HOD.

Looking forward to more discussion and being able to read all that has been written already,

Sherry