Considering RTR, but have questions

[flydena]

Hi! I've just recently discovered Heart of Dakota, and have a couple of questions.

I have a Kindergartner that I'm probably going to put into Little Hearts for His Glory. I also have a soon to be 5th grader and a soon to be 8th grader. We are finishing up our study of Ancient History this year and will be ready to move on to the Resurrection to Reformation time period.

My questions are:

1) I am unfamiliar with Mystery of History and have really LOVED what we used this past year...TruthQuest. I like TQ because it really helps my children think about God's hand in history, and how man has responded to Him throughout time. Many cultures have rejected Him and therefore their response has been to create their own ideas and belief systems. I really like the Biblical Worldview throughout it. Your curriculum has had a multitude of wonderful reviews about how Biblical it is, as well as how rich. The same reasons I have loved TQ. I guess I'm fearful to switch for a couple of reasons....I like what I have, and I have heard the MoH is not nearly as in depth as what TQ is. I do realize that MoH is not your entire history program, though, so my question is how is MoH used? I've read that it can stand alone as a complete history program. I should probably also explain why I'm even considering switching curriculum. I am the type of hs mom that enjoys writing my own curriculum, not being "bogged" down by having to do what someone else thinks is best. I have used MFW in the past, and after one year, though we enjoyed that year, decided it was too restricting. I have pieced together several curriculums that I believe to be "the best." And, basically written my own lesson plans. The reason I feel the need to possibly switch, is that this upcoming fall I will be adding in a Kindergartner to the mix. I'm afraid with this addition, I will not have the time to plan and write all of my own plans. We, just this year, switched completely over to a Charlotte Mason style. I've been working toward this end for a while now. It finally came to be this year. I believe that my children have learned more this year and have had a much richer learning experience than ever before, and this is my 5th year homeschooling. So, insight on how the history is put together, or how MoH fits in, would be helpful!

2) This quesion is about the science portion. I love Apologia and this is what we use currently. My kids actually have already completed the Astronomy, so my question is, could they go ahead and use the editions they will be on, and will they still need to choose the A Child's Geography V. 1 along with choosing the option 1 or 2? My daughter (5th grade) will be doing Zoology 2, and my son (8th grade) will either be finishing General Science or doing Physical Science. I didn't know if the other books, besides Apologia Astronomy, work WITH the Astronomy or if they are more on their own.

3) I already own Drawn into the Heart of Reading, and I was wondering if there are specific books in the Teacher's Manual that are recommended for Resurrection to Reformation, or if we still choose our own books? I'd love recommendations for each genre if there are great ones for this time period!

4) One last thing....Do the books that the students read on their own have a certain amount of pages/chapters per day, or do they do these at their own pace? And, approximately how many pages TOTAL would you say they are supposed to read each day? Could you answer those same questions for the Read Alouds as well?

I am very interested in learning as much as possible about the HOD curriculum, as it has definitely gotten my attention. I SO WISH HOD was coming to Kansas City for the MPE Curriculum Fair April 8-9. I would have loved to see the curriculum in person!

So sorry I have so many questions, and this post is SO LONG! I really appreciate any and all input you could give though, as I will be prayerfully considering what we will be doing for next year! Thanks so much!

[water2wine]

I know Carrie is on the convention tour right now or else she or Julie would have answered you. I am going to try. First let me say I looked at TQ a lot before I found HOD. I think you are going to like HOD. What I tripped over with TQ was I did not want to write lesson plans but loved the deep thought. You are going to be happy that HOD provides both. I am going to try to answer your questions by your numbers.

1) The reading portion of MOH is used. This is not actually the MOH curriculum per say. This portion of this particular MOH level is written as more of a living book. So this is better to think of as any living book that is included in the program. It is not the program organization. So whatever you see about MOH organization in general that is not part of HOD. This is merely a reading source. There are no activities. You will find HOD is very flexible if you need to adjust for your child's needs but still provides nice structure to guide you along your day. I am the type that does not like very confining directions that do not allow me to teach as the Lord leads but I still do better with a gentle guidance and a familiar rhythm to the day. HOD provides all that for me.

2) Forgive me here I am not sure if I am answering you. I think you are saying you already did the Apologia so if you substitute something else for that could you still use the other books with that option. That answer would be yes if I am getting what you are asking correctly.

3) There is not a DITHR RTR pack that is made to reflect the time period. Love the idea but I imagine all those books went into the actual program. There is the reading list (see Optional book list http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-packages.php) that you can purchase or you can take a look in the book store for ideas. http://www.heartofdakota.com/bookshop.php There are also some book packs put together by reading level but they are not for just one particular program.

4) The read alouds and the extension pack are scheduled for you. The pages vary by the book and corresponding to the lesson. Can't come up with an exact page number because it varies but it is very doable and all balanced to go together. There is no guess work or having to make your own reading schedule and it works very well with work load.

Ok wanted to get you bumped up and take a little shot at answering your question. I know others will jump in and of correct me if I misunderstood. And now hopefully you have something to work off as well. Please ask more or get us on better track with answering you. Hope that helps a tiny bit.

[my3sons]

Water2wine already gave such good and thorough answers to your questions! I am using RTR right now and have about a month or so left in it. We have had a fantastic year with it! The way that God's hand is woven into all of it gives me shivers. What you will find about HOD is it is saturated with the Lord! Each box of plans includes Him as much as possible, keeping Christ at the center, while keeping academics strong. The Lord is in every day of history and every day of science. He is in Storytime read-aloud follow-ups, and Drawn into the Heart of Reading's weekly plans. He is in the Bible study box you partner along with your dc, and He is in the personal Bible Quiet Time dc begin their day with each and every morning. He is in the Independent History Box and even in the R & S English program... He is everywhere... and that means He is hopefully sitting on the throne of our dc's hearts too!

Charlotte Mason... well, she's everywhere too. Written narrations linked to living books linked to history and to science... Oral narrations linked to living books and to read alouds... Progressive dictation used by the PNEU schools themselves... Copywork of important quotes, Scriptures, poetry, etc. all taken from living books dc are reading... Picture Study with "Looking at Pictures" linked with "The Art Gallery" made especially by HOD within its Student Notebooking pages which are also linked with Charlotte Mason quotes in the key ideas of the plans as well as Artist Pages in the Student Notebooking pages which are in turn linked back to the living book history readings... Common Place Book entries which house special sayings and worthy words to remember... Timeline Book of Centuries that span across the guides... Poetry that studies one poet at a time and fosters a love for poetry from year to year... Charlotte Mason would be proud she's so much a living breathing part of HOD within its guides' pages!!!

You have come to a good place. From what you've shared, you and HOD fit like a hand and glove. But don't take my word for it, take a minute to look over the first week of plans and you'll see what I mean...
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/rtr-we ... glance.pdf

I imagine doing RTR for you will feel much like coming home. If you have more questions, be sure to ask them, but yes - your style of teaching and goals for your dc are an excellent pairing with HOD!

In Christ,
Julie

[Kathleen]

I SO WISH HOD was coming to Kansas City for the MPE Curriculum Fair April 8-9. I would have loved to see the curriculum in person!

ME TOO!! Well, I don't really need to see the curriculum in person to know it's for me anymore....but I'd love to browse and see the new guide and talk with Carrie & Julie.

We're getting ready to head into RTR this coming year, too. So, I can't tell you about it yet. But we have thoroughly enjoyed all of HOD's guides up to that point. From the goals you've shared for your homeschool, I too would say that HOD seems like it will fit you perfectly. Christ front-and-center, CM, solid academics.

If you're in NE Kansas and want to take a little drive to the middle of nowhere, you'll have to send me a message, and I could show you all the HOD I have here. I'll probably be ordering RTR early summer, too.

About the science, I'm sure that Carrie would be able to talk with you about what would be best if you've already used one of the resources. Your family is free to decide if you want to follow HOD's science plans or do something else, too. I personally have loved HOD's science...and so have my kids. But if you're already in Apologia with them and are desiring to continue that would sure be an option, too. I know that for me, following HOD's plans gives us such a balance to our days. I know that on my own I could so easily be tempted to do TOO MUCH in any (or all ) subjects. CM's less-is-more philosophy really rings true when you try it. Anyway, here are a couple of links where Carrie shares the philosophy behind HOD's science and how they are offering a CM alternative to the science programs already out there that families can use. This 1st post by Carrie is one in which she was asking for input from moms here on the board several years ago while looking into what she planned to write to include in the guides. I know that I enjoyed seeing her thought process as she shared where God was leading her as she was writing. And know that your family is free to use the plans included in the guide, or to follow a different path if that is where God is leading you.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2094&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=45#p18435
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7880

Kathleen

[Heather4Him]

We're getting ready to head into RTR this coming year, too. So, I can't tell you about it yet. But we have thoroughly enjoyed all of HOD's guides up to that point. From the goals you've shared for your homeschool, I too would say that HOD seems like it will fit you perfectly. Christ front-and-center, CM, solid academics. Kathleen

We're finishing up CTC this year and I just ordered RTR for the coming school year, too!! And now, with Julie's post, I'm even more excited!!
~~~~~
I agree with the previous posters, that HOD sounds like an excellent fit!!

We also use Apologia science, partly because we already did the science in HOD, partly because we're using HOD through high school (and the high school guides won't be finished yet), and partly because our dd LOVES Apologia and it has been working well for us (and I've learned to not change things that are working!)

HOD is awesome, and I think you'll love it!!!!!

[flydena]

Thanks for all the responses so far! They are helping! And, thanks for bumping me up! I was starting to feel I may not get my questions answered!

As for science...from the previous post....

We also use Apologia science, partly because we already did the science in HOD, partly because we're using HOD through high school (and the high school guides won't be finished yet), and partly because our dd LOVES Apologia and it has been working well for us (and I've learned to not change things that are working!)

Do you ONLY use Apologia, or do you also use some of the other books that Carrie has included in the Science program? I know I don't want to repeat the Astronomy, since we've already done that, and I would like to continue (esp. with the elementary Apologia) because my daughter enjoys it. As for my son....I'm starting to agree with the thoughts Carrie posted...how the Junior High years should NOT be so intense! My son (7th grade this year) has struggled with General Science, and I don't want Science to become something he dreads. He does like to be challenged, though, so he has improved greatly in his "trying" because he wants to do well! So, I guess I'm still not sure exactly how to handle the science. I don't want to miss anything "good" that Carrie has included, but I don't want to overkill either! So, is doing a different elementary Apologia WITH the other recommended books too much?

Any other input would be appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[Heather4Him]

Thanks for all the responses so far! They are helping! And, thanks for bumping me up! I was starting to feel I may not get my questions answered!

As for science...from the previous post....

We also use Apologia science, partly because we already did the science in HOD, partly because we're using HOD through high school (and the high school guides won't be finished yet), and partly because our dd LOVES Apologia and it has been working well for us (and I've learned to not change things that are working!)

Do you ONLY use Apologia, or do you also use some of the other books that Carrie has included in the Science program? I know I don't want to repeat the Astronomy, since we've already done that, and I would like to continue (esp. with the elementary Apologia) because my daughter enjoys it. Thanks so much!

Hi Again!!

Yes, right now we use only Apologia, because we are into the higher levels of it (General--this year for 8th, then Physical for 9th, Biology and Chemistry, etc.)
If we were still in the younger Apologia series (which we did before finding HOD), I would probably still try to incorporate as much of Carrie's science selections as possible. Hope that helps!