May seem like I am floundering but..
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May seem like I am floundering but..
I know it seemed settled that my dc would do better in Bigger (ds in 3rd next year, and dd in 6th next year) together just so that my ds could keep up. After looking over the Preparing sample a little more, I think that my ds could do the work with a little bit of tweaking (would not be able to write things in cursive etc., will be learning cursive in 3rd grade). My ds is sooo close to being able to do the work in Preparing that I think that with just a little bit of tweaking he could do it. That way, there would be less tweaking up for my "to be" 6th grader and they both would be able to delve into a part of history that they never had before. They have been doing American History for quite some time (especially my dd). (I have to say though I wish I could see a little more into that guide to see more of what is expected of the students. Our local homeschool store only carries LHTH, LHFHG, and BLHFHG. With all that being said, I have another question. Is the Extension Pack of books in Preparing designed to be the older dc's Independent History Study or is it used over a beyond that? Also are the books in the Basic book package, Tirzah, The True Story of Noah's Ark, Fountain of LIfe, etc. written into the daily lesson plans, and if so where? Also to make up for my ds's lack of ability in the English and Math section I could possibly use the plans and spelling words in the Bigger guide. Those are some of my questions and thoughts.
Re: May seem like I am floundering but..
playschool,
Sometimes when it seems like you're floundering, you're actually just trying to sort through what would be best for your kiddos overall. We all do it when trying to get the "best" HOD fit.
Here's a few links that may really help you see more of what is expected in the Preparing Hearts guide:
First, here's one to the Introduction, which has great descriptions of exactly what is expected:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-intro.pdf
Next, here's a look at an overview of what is expected in each "box" of the plans weekly:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/prepar ... lance3.pdf
Last, here's a link to the entire first week of plans (a "T" means Teacher Directed, "S" means Semi-Indpendent, "I" means "Indpendent": http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-sample-week.pdf
The Extension Pack books are meant to be read by 5th or 6th graders in addition to the core texts read for the rest of the program. The Extension Pack books are scheduled daily in the Appendix for the student to read independently. The Economy Package, Basic Package, Deluxe Package, and Science Books are scheduled by page number within the daily plans.
I agree that you could easily bounce back and use the right side of the plans for your 3rd grader to hit English 2, spelling/dictation, and Singapore Math as scheduled if needed for your younger kiddo.
Let us know if you have other questions, as you're processing through these links.
Blessings,
Carrie
Sometimes when it seems like you're floundering, you're actually just trying to sort through what would be best for your kiddos overall. We all do it when trying to get the "best" HOD fit.

Here's a few links that may really help you see more of what is expected in the Preparing Hearts guide:
First, here's one to the Introduction, which has great descriptions of exactly what is expected:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-intro.pdf
Next, here's a look at an overview of what is expected in each "box" of the plans weekly:
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/prepar ... lance3.pdf
Last, here's a link to the entire first week of plans (a "T" means Teacher Directed, "S" means Semi-Indpendent, "I" means "Indpendent": http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/PHFHG-sample-week.pdf
The Extension Pack books are meant to be read by 5th or 6th graders in addition to the core texts read for the rest of the program. The Extension Pack books are scheduled daily in the Appendix for the student to read independently. The Economy Package, Basic Package, Deluxe Package, and Science Books are scheduled by page number within the daily plans.
I agree that you could easily bounce back and use the right side of the plans for your 3rd grader to hit English 2, spelling/dictation, and Singapore Math as scheduled if needed for your younger kiddo.

Let us know if you have other questions, as you're processing through these links.

Blessings,
Carrie
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- Posts: 222
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:55 pm
Re: May seem like I am floundering but..
Thanks Carrie! The links you provided were very helpful. It looks like such a fun yet educational course and I like how the Bible is woven throughout everything. I do have another request for you or whoever else can help me. Can someone give a sample of what is required for dictation for a day's lesson in one of the lessons in the first couple of weeks? That would help me to decide if my ds would be able to handle the dictation exercises in this guide. Thanks!
Re: May seem like I am floundering but..
Playschool,
I'm glad I was able to help!
Here's a link to a previous thread, where my3sons gives examples from each of the levels of dictation provided in Preparing Hearts. Make sure to scroll down to her second post on the thread to view the samples!:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1221
Blessings,
Carrie
I'm glad I was able to help!

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1221
Blessings,
Carrie
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- Posts: 222
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:55 pm
Re: May seem like I am floundering but..
Thank you Carrie for that link. I do think my ds could handle Level 2 dictation especially by next year and maybe even Level 3 although he has not learned about commas. He only knows how to use periods, question marks, and exclamation points. Could you or someone else give me an example of the basic Spelling words for the Preparing Guide? Also, is there a more advanced spelling list for my future 6th grade dd? Also if I did Preparing with my 6th grade dd would we need to supplement in Science? I remember Carrie saying that supplementation might be needed for her if we used Bigger next year but what about Preparing? Sorry to bombard you with so many questions.
Re: May seem like I am floundering but..
playschool,
There aren't any spelling lists in Preparing Hearts, as once kiddos know their basic sight words and spelling rules we move into studied dictation Level 2. With fairly good spellers, Level 2 dictation passages are the right place to be in grade 3.
As far as your 6th grader goes, the Level 4 dictation passages should be right for her, especially if she has never done studied dication. It is a skill that is harder than it looks, as kiddos must write the entire passage perfectly from your dictation (including all capital letters, correct spellings, and punctuation marks). If the passage is not perfect it is repeated each day until it is perfect. Then, you move on to the next passage. My own 6th grader did Level 4 last year, and he is a very good speller.
As far as science goes, the science in Preparing should be enough for your 6th grader. If you have a very science minded child, you could easily add an Apologia Elementary text of her choice for her to read on Day 5 only, covering one text all year or 2 or 3 science biographies to read only on Day 5. Preparing Hearts is a 4 day plan, with each 5th day free to pursue your kiddo's areas of strength.
Blessings,
Carrie
There aren't any spelling lists in Preparing Hearts, as once kiddos know their basic sight words and spelling rules we move into studied dictation Level 2. With fairly good spellers, Level 2 dictation passages are the right place to be in grade 3.
As far as your 6th grader goes, the Level 4 dictation passages should be right for her, especially if she has never done studied dication. It is a skill that is harder than it looks, as kiddos must write the entire passage perfectly from your dictation (including all capital letters, correct spellings, and punctuation marks). If the passage is not perfect it is repeated each day until it is perfect. Then, you move on to the next passage. My own 6th grader did Level 4 last year, and he is a very good speller.

As far as science goes, the science in Preparing should be enough for your 6th grader. If you have a very science minded child, you could easily add an Apologia Elementary text of her choice for her to read on Day 5 only, covering one text all year or 2 or 3 science biographies to read only on Day 5. Preparing Hearts is a 4 day plan, with each 5th day free to pursue your kiddo's areas of strength.

Blessings,
Carrie