Thanks so much ladies for all your replies, you've been so helpful! HOD sounds wonderful and I think I may be making the switch this coming year. Nicole

I think HOD's new Rev to Rev American History program looks absolutely fantastic and looks like it blows out of the water MFW's American History program. Just my opinion though. I haven't done it, but it looks to me like doing HOD's Bigger and Rev to Rev simultaneously with your kids would be a very nice combination, everyone being in the same time period but at their own level with their readings, etc. How lucky you live in Boston, I'm so envious! I am so hoping we can take our kids on an East Coast American History tour someday! Enjoy your American History journey with yours. Nicole

Thanks for your replies! I have spent a lot of time digging through the website and the catalog. I was surprised by all the books that I found actually go into the program, which was surprising I guess because that isn't as readily apparent when you first look at the program. I'm used to Sonlight's approach where the picture in the catalog has you staring down a huge stack of books and you know what you are getting right off the bat! By academic I mean rigorous as far as lots of literature, discussion, and writing about the literature. I think what I'm wondering about is SL seems to have a wide, international sort of flavor to it that gives children a broad worldview and awareness. I don't get this same feeling from HOD. I know their upper level grades aren't written yet so that may change. But, I am starting to feel that SL is lacking in some sort of connectedness with the books, and I want some instruction on how to draw more out of the literature we're reading. I like what I am seeing in HOD in that regard, thus my interest. Hope that clarifies my question a bit.

I haven't posted here often but was wondering if any of you ladies would be willing to share any knowledge or experience with Heart of Dakota curriculum. It interests me in several ways, but is it...I don't know, academic enough? We've been using SL, which I like in many ways, but I've been wanting something that helps me draw more out of the books. HOD seems to do this, and is lit-based like SL. But SL still seems more "academic" to me, but it could be partly because HOD's website and catalog are really cheesy and have a very "unacademic", juvenile look to them. But when I analyze the nuts and bolts of the program it seems like it is rich and there is a lot there if you look beyond the look of the website, TM covers, etc. Hoping for someone who has knowledge or experience with HOD! Thanks! Nicole

Thanks for the replies! Sorry I didn't realize I'd posted in the wrong forum...I'll go ahead and move it over there. Nicole

I haven't posted here often but was wondering if any of you ladies would be willing to share any knowledge or experience with Heart of Dakota curriculum. It interests me in several ways, but is it...I don't know, academic enough? We've been using SL, which I like in many ways, but I've been wanting something that helps me draw more out of the books. HOD seems to do this, and is lit-based like SL. But SL still seems more "academic" to me, but it could be partly because HOD's website and catalog are really cheesy and have a very "unacademic", juvenile look to them. But when I analyze the nuts and bolts of the program it seems like it is rich and there is a lot there if you look beyond the look of the website, TM covers, etc. Hoping for someone who has knowledge or experience with HOD! Thanks! Nicole

Thanks creekland for sharing your experience of having great success with TT! That is good to know. We have been using it for three years now and I think it is great. We currently use Math 4 up to Alg 1 and I had planned to use it all the way through. But hearing so many negative reviews lately got me second-guessing myself although I feel really good about the program. I feel the slower scope and sequence of TT is helping my dc get a firm foundation so they have real understanding, rather than moving through quickly. I'd love to hear more reviews, positive or negative, from any other users!

I've been hearing lately from a lot of people who have used TT for a year or two in the middle grades and feel that it put their dc behind. I know that the scope and sequence of TT is a year or two behind some math programs, but my feeling is that that is ok as long as it picks up speed in the high school years and they end up in the same place as other math programs would get them. However I'm not sure if this is the case or not, as I don't know many people who have used it all the way through to the end. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks! Nicole