parias1126 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I have been researching HOD for my kiddos and I really need to make a decision. A sample of just one week isnt enough for me to do so. I was going to drive 2 hours to the convention this upcoming weekend to check it out, but there is nothing else I really need to go for. I could just order the Bigger guide by the time I spend the $$$ on gas! :lol: Anyway, is it really as amazing as I have read and seen? The only thing hat may hold me back is sometimes I want to finish school in 4 days and it's set up for 5. I know that's silly, but I'm also a stickler for making sure everything is done for the week or I lose sleep! :001_huh: I'm thinking of starting out with Bigger for my 8 and 9 year old. I literally dream about a curriculum set up the way HOD is set up. I'm a organizer and a box checker with everything else, but I hate to plan school. My only planning consists of the big filing box from a tread a couple years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edeemarie Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 We are just finishing up with Bigger and there have been several weeks that we have done it is 4 instead of 5 days. When we do that I will add a second days work of different subjects throughout the week (i.e. 2 days of math on Monday, 2 days of English on Tuesday, 2 days of handwriting on Wednesday,...you get the point:). Thursday and Friday's science and history assignments are the easiest to combine into one day's work. It has worked well for us, but we are moving into MFW next year because I want to be able to combine my children with as much teaching as possible, and the Preparing guide won't work as well for that as the younger guides did:( I, like you, am a box-checker, and MFW offers that too. Hope that helps you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherylw Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 We are using Preparing this year and I have been very pleased with the program..although it looks like I will be finishing it up going into the next school year:tongue_smilie:but that's my fault. From what you've listed I think you will enjoy it. My kids are close in age as yours and the only thing they do different is math and I have ds11 do more reading. And I have decided to use an outside spelling program but my kiddos spelling is horrid:001_huh: to say the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arstephia Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I have used Little Hearts, Beyond, Preparing, CTC, and the new guide Rev2Rev over the last couple of years. (I came from a more classical and then textbook philosophies trying to find what I really wanted.) I fought hard to not want to try HOD :lol: but relented and dove in. I couldn't be more pleased. It has been a fantastic two years and I wish my oldest could have done the earlier guides. As for Bigger, that is the next guide I am doing so I can't speak of that specifically, but I have friends doing it and I love what I am seeing from their kids' work. So yes, it is as good as it looks. Oh, and about the 4 day thing, the older guides (Preparing and up) are 4 days, but Beyond is 5. I just look at day 5 and sprinkle those activities throughout the week so all of my kids are just doing 4 days and that has worked well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 We love HOD! We did Little Hearts last year, Beyond this year, and my Bigger box just came today. :D It has blessed me in some many ways- no more planning!!, Bible teaching throughout, can use my own math and phonics. My ds loves it too. He loves the history, storytime, projects and that his day is joyful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my5coconuts Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 We have loved HOD here as well. Great book choices especially the older guides, but we are planning to switch to TOG because I do not want to run 3-4 guides (we have 5 children). Hope you end up enjoying it! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 We are using LHFHG, which is a five day programme, and Preparing which is a 4 day programme. I am getting my son to do 11 or 12 boxes a day in LHFHG to make it a four day week. I just write in a book at the beginning of the week what he is doing on each day and I just mark it off. It is working very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parias1126 Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Thank you for all your replies. It sounds like I would be doing pretty much what I'm doing now to try and fit everything into a 4 day week when I decided I want a day off. It looks like I'll be looking further into HOD. My only dilemma now is to decide whether or not to travel 2.5 hours to a homeschool convention to look before buying or just spend the $75 or so and order it just to check it out further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birchbark Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 We are in our third year of HoD and love it. It is very complete. I would recommend going to the convention to look at it in person. Not only would you be able to see all the guides (and see older levels and how they progress), but they also have ALL the books and programs that they use on display as well. Another thing they have is a photobook of each level with pics of children doing the various projects and assignments. Another big bonus to going is the opportunity to speak to the HoD author, who usually "mans" the HoD booth with her sister, the editor. Also, if you purchase there you may save on shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 We love it. I love the philosophy, content, skills, setup, everything. Some things bugged me at first but now I see the reason. I am sold on it, and I won't let myself look at other full curricula to avoid "grass is greener" syndrome. That said, I do my own thing for math and phonics/writing/spelling/LA. We're using SWR for the long haul and RightStart at this point for math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristin0713 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Thank you for all your replies. It sounds like I would be doing pretty much what I'm doing now to try and fit everything into a 4 day week when I decided I want a day off. It looks like I'll be looking further into HOD. My only dilemma now is to decide whether or not to travel 2.5 hours to a homeschool convention to look before buying or just spend the $75 or so and order it just to check it out further. I would go to the convention only if you want to go for other things--seminars, other curriculum, etc. If not, just order it. I think there's a pretty good return policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamomof5 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 We are so excited to switch to HOD this year! I have poured over the samples, teacher's manuals, and books over and over! I cannot wait to start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyjoh62080 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 We are so excited to switch to HOD this year! I have poured over the samples, teacher's manuals, and books over and over! I cannot wait to start! You are going to LOVE it!!!:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamomof5 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 You are going to LOVE it!!!:lol: Thank you. :) We have spent the last 4 years with MFW. Which has had its positives, but I think HOD is going to fit us so much better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedmom4 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I have homeschooled for 11 years but this is our first year with HOD. We are using Preparing. It has been wonderful. My boys love all the projects, which are easy for me to do. They also love the book choices. I finally have found a curriculum that combines many elements that I loved about Sonlight and Winter Promise. I am using CLE for English rather than R&S and it has worked just fine. If you are short on time just order it instead of going to a convention for one thing. God Bless, Elise in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crl Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 We are in our third year of HoD and love it. It is very complete. I would recommend going to the convention to look at it in person. Not only would you be able to see all the guides (and see older levels and how they progress), but they also have ALL the books and programs that they use on display as well. Another thing they have is a photobook of each level with pics of children doing the various projects and assignments. Another big bonus to going is the opportunity to speak to the HoD author, who usually "mans" the HoD booth with her sister, the editor. Also, if you purchase there you may save on shipping. I'm not sure I'd spend the money to go to convention just for this. For Bigger, the 2 main history books can be found free on Google books I believe, if you are wanting a look at them. As for the photobooks, you can view them online from the main page or go to the week in review section of the message boards and get a bigger sampling of projects. We did enjoy our year with Bigger. Even my 5 year old DS learned a lot that year just by playing nearby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenninMN Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 I would order it so I could flip through it leisurely at home. Conventions can be such madhouses. Of course, I haven't gone to convention for several years now. Ours charges $80 to get in, even to just look at the vendor hall. I figure that I can order several things to glance through and ship them back if I don't like them before I reach that $80 mark. Plus, one year I could barely get into the Rainbow Resource booth, let alone browse through anything. YMMV Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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