HOD or not? I really cannot decide!

[acsnmama]

Part of me feels I should just go the HOD route. All planned for me right?!

 

I am using Singapore already, but we follow the schedule in the guide.

 

I'm using Rod & Staff English already, we we just do a lesson a day.

 

I have a cursive Pentime workbook for this coming year.

 

I was going to use Beautiful Feet History. However, I do own the 2 Eggleston books that are with HOD Bigger, we haven't used them yet. I also have some books about the Wright brothers. I decided I'd likely piece together my own History plan using Beautiful Feet books, rather than buying their big set, and guide.

 

I'm undecided on Science. I love the One Small Square books (yet again, HOD uses) however we are using Apologia and planned to use it again this coming year.

 

I just don't feel like I should order HOD if I'm not going to use it to it's fullest, but at the same time, we already own or are doing the things that are in HOD. What would be the benefit of using HOD? I'd follow the guide for History, and undecided on Science. I could follow the guide for R&S English, and possibly Singapore, but I like being able to do my own thing for Math through the guide.

 

I also am unsure about the reading portion, I wasn't planning on using a guide for reading, I was planning to just have him...read.

[Emilylou]

I love all the planning HOD does for me- I also have always found I have time for the science in the book, and an apologia science book. My son loves science, and we belong to a co-op class for the apologia. Sometimes we might skip some of the science notebooking- but the science is pretty light but fun in HOD.

I also like the hand-on projects in HOD compared to BF...

Good luck planning~

[SorrelZG]

It doesn't sound like the guide would be worth it's expense in your case. Unless planning what you're already doing is requiring too much time or causing too much stress, I can't see a benefit. You could buy a bunch more books for the price of the guide that might benefit you more.

[Ellie]

It doesn't sound like the guide would be worth it's expense in your case. Unless planning what you're already doing is requiring too much time or causing too much stress, I can't see a benefit. You could buy a bunch more books for the price of the guide that might benefit you more.

 

 

:iagree:

[Blessed mom]

I am trying to decide the same thing! Should I use HOD preparing or Sonlight Core D with fourth grade son?

[twoxcell]

I came to the same conclusion when my ds was in second grade. I had chosen to use most of the books used with Beyond anyways. I ended up buying the Beyond guide used and am so glad I did. It was a huge time saver for me and we have used HOD ever since. :)

[acsnmama]

Yeah, I am thinking I may want to just get an idea of the guide before I discount it, but at the same time, I do see how it could be pointless!

 

As for deciding between HOD and Sonlight, I am partial to HOD. It is cheaper I believe, their website is harder to navigate, and above all else, I personally don't like Sonlight. I know many people do, but I like what HOD offers better. There are books in SL that I'm not fond of, and I like nearly everything HOD has. I also feel the guide is very detailed, which is beneficial!

[hollyh]

I think HOD's guide is useful whether or not you follow it all. It has discussion questions layed out, activities, etc. Many things you may not think of or realize that you were not including. Buy it used and sell it when you are done. I'm sure what you will gain from it will be worth the $/time spent planning. I don't follow it all to a T - I add and tweak, drop things I don't feel like doing- but I love that it is there for me when I want it and when I am frazzled - school still happens well b/c I have a plan written out.

[Bree]

I find the guide helps keep me accountable to getting everything done and the kids love the activities that go along with it and they are so easy to throw in. I tweak a little but we have loved this year with HOD.

[AngelBee]

I think the guide would be worth it. If not, resale on HOD is great.

[HeatherDanae]

I think you should go for it. :) Like PP said, HOD has great resale value so you wouldn't lose very much if you decided it wasn't for you. I would try it and just see how it works out. I'm also in the same boat. I did buy HOD (Bigger and Little Hearts) but have lots of other curricula that I'm going to incorporate this year. I love how well laid out HOD is and I want my kids to get used to it, because once they hit Preparing and the higher levels, I want them to follow it on their own and I won't tweak it as much. I think HOD gives them a love for reading.

[acsnmama]

I have decided on HOD! A good friend was confused as to why I didn't want to use HOD, considering I already have some of the books they use, and I was inspired by my purchases by HOD, yet I was still planning to do it on my own? Last year I considered HOD, and my husband loves HOD! He always trusts my decisions, but when I get overwhelmed I include him in my choices, and he has told me for months now to go for HOD. I feel silly for being so hesitant! We will be doing LHFHG, and Bigger. I think LHTH looks good, but I think I'll wait until the following year for my little guy, though maybe I'll pick it up and add it as I see fit.