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Heart of Dakota--Preparing


Blessed mom
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I've done all the HOD guides from Little Hands on up and Preparing is my favorite so far. I've used Sonlight's D & E (years ago - I'm know it's been revised several times since then) and we liked that at the time but I like Preparing better because it begins to move my kids towards a bit more independence in a few of the subjects. I used it last year for a fourth grader (10yods at the time) and this year my 9yods is in week 9, he's really only a third grader but he's a bit ahead just because when he started Bigger last year. It's been a great fit for both of these kids.

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Thank you so much for your replies! I would like to know approximately how long it takes for the parent to do with the child each day and how long it takes for the student daily. Also, have you felt that the spelling, dictation, and copy work have been a good level for a fourth grader? How are the spelling lists determined? In other words, are they arranged by phonics rules or in some other way? Have you been pleased with the narration opportunities? We have been using WWE 2 and will finish this by the end of the year. I have really liked WWE. Is the way dictation and narration approached in HOD similar? Have you found the projects to be beneficial or just seem like busy work? Thank you so much.

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Thank you so much for your replies! I would like to know approximately how long it takes for the parent to do with the child each day and how long it takes for the student daily. Also, have you felt that the spelling, dictation, and copy work have been a good level for a fourth grader? How are the spelling lists determined? In other words, are they arranged by phonics rules or in some other way? Have you been pleased with the narration opportunities? We have been using WWE 2 and will finish this by the end of the year. I have really liked WWE. Is the way dictation and narration approached in HOD similar? Have you found the projects to be beneficial or just seem like busy work? Thank you so much.

 

I would say on average it takes my ds about 4 hours to complete all of Preparing but it varies from day to day. about 1/3 of it he does on his own. There are no spelling lists for Preparing. Spelling is taught through dictation and there are 3 levels to choose from. I have my ds also do R&S spelling along with the dictation. I feel like the guide is a great fit for a 4th grader. There is generally at least one opportunity for oral narration daily and once a week he does a written narration. I have no experience with WWE, so no answer there. As far as projects my ds has enjoyed them for the most part. I think I have had him skip like 2 of them so far. HTH :)

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Has anyone here used preparing for 3rd? My DD places solidly in Preparing based on the chart, and the history focus is exactly what I want this year, but...she will be a young 3rd grader (turns 8 just after the year starts) and I worry about the amount of work involved. I know she is capable of it, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is the best choice, KWIM? Anyone have success using Preparing for 3rd and going on to CtC in 4th?

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If she places into it, then I wouldn't hesitate to use it. My third grader, turned 9 in October, and began Preparing in late November and he's doing fine with it. You may want to ease into it at half pace for a few weeks just to let her get accustom to the system. I can't comment on using CTC in fourth because we won't be there until next year :) I'm hoping it works out o.k. but I'm a bit fearful. The reading level on the books seems to increase in CTC but since the reading assignments are short I'm guessing that he'll be able to make the transition.

 

Regarding Writing with Ease - I'm using Writing with Ease 3 along with Preparing for my 9yo right now. My goal is to use WWS with him eventually instead of HOD writing choices (maybe) so despite that there's some overlapping of skills, we're working on it. We do drop the poetry writing assignments from Preparing.

 

We usually skip the projects or he does them after all his other school work is done or on Friday. The only projects he's required to do are mapping assignments (there are a few in the project box). My now 11yods did a lot of the projects last year and was usually disappointed with the outcome so we've decided to skip them for now.

 

 

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