HOD "Preparing" with 3rd and 6th grader?

[I.Dup.]

I asked about Sonlight (thank you to those who helped with that!) but now I'm thinking HOD might be better for my older 2. I am thinking of combining 3rd and 6th grader in this package because I've heard HOD can be done independently and they fit the ages for this package (we would buy the extension pack for my 6th grader).

 

I have another thread on MFW K or HOD "Little Hearts" for my next 2.

 

Wondering from those who have done Preparing, if this would be a good plan?

 

Choices, choices.

[twoxcell]

I think it could work if your youngest is up to it. Preparing may be a bit too hard for the 3rd grader and kinda light for the 6th grader. Personally I would keep kids that far apart separate but many people combine and it works for them. Have you taken a look at the placement chart to see where they each place academically? If you have letting us know that info may help people offer advice. ;)

[I.Dup.]

I think it could work if your youngest is up to it. Preparing may be a bit too hard for the 3rd grader and kinda light for the 6th grader. Personally I would keep kids that far apart separate but many people combine and it works for them. Have you taken a look at the placement chart to see where they each place academically? If you have letting us know that info may help people offer advice. ;)

 

I did not even see the placement chart you are referring to until I went digging for it just now. I think you're right. My 6th grader could do either Preparing or CtC but she probably would be more challenged in CtC. I think you're right that it's going to be way above my 3rd grader's head.

 

6th grader has not had much formal grammar instruction, we are planning on doing R&S 5 this year. She does not know how to diagram. Her handwriting is fine and she can copy long passages. She is a strong reader.

 

3rd grader has not had any grammar instruction, we are starting R&S 3 this year. He can copy decently but cannot come up with sentences on his own. He can read but he's not a strong reader and chooses not to read, so I wouldn't want anything TOO challenging for him in that regard.

 

Maybe I should have the 6th grader to CtC, and combine the 1st and 3rd graders who are both weak on grammar and handwriting? I wonder if they can do Little Hearts together, or if that would be way too easy for my 3rd grader? He's on track with math, just not so much with reading or the other subjects. Then I can keep things simple for my kindergartener instead of buying a whole new program for him (which would make 3 total if I did one for my 6th grader, 1 for my 1st/3rd grader, and another one for my kindergartener). I'd rather do 2 max for now.

[twoxcell]

I think CTC would be the best for you 6th grader if that is where he/she places. As far as the others combining might get sticky. According to the placement chart which two kids are closer in ability? Where do your K, 1st, and 3rd grader fit on the placement chart? Little Hearts would be way too easy for an average 3rd grader IMO. You could possibly combine into Beyond but again that could be too hard for the 1st grader and too easy for the 3rd grader. If your 3rd grader is a bit behind Beyond might work so long as the 1st grader is up for it. If you combined in Beyond you would have your 1st grader do the 1st grade options and then the 3rd grader could do math, LA, etc. at his/her level. Has your 3rd grader done R&S grammar 2 already? If not you may want to start there instead of 3. I know you said you want to only run 2 guides but I'm thinking for your kiddos CTC, Bigger, and Little Hearts might be the best. I will actually be running these three exact guides this coming year. I already started Little Hearts and Bigger and my oldest is still doing Preparing. Just brain storming here let me know what you think. :)

[Mom2TheTeam]

What about MFW for both? ;)

[Momof2littles]

From what I've gleaned from reading other MFW and HOD threads, I think it boils down to whether you want to combine or separate your kids. MFW makes it easy to combine and HOD works when kids are placed in the right guide based on skills since the curriculum is so specific.

[Donna A.]

From what I've gleaned from reading other MFW and HOD threads, I think it boils down to whether you want to combine or separate your kids. MFW makes it easy to combine and HOD works when kids are placed in the right guide based on skills since the curriculum is so specific.

 

I agree with this summarization, and.... to be honest, it sounds like your 6th grader is the only one who might even remotely fit "neatly" into one HOD guide. So how about one of these scenarios:

 

Have all your kids working together in a MFW program, probably ECC or CTG, and then just choose math and phonics/LA at the the right level for each child. (Which you would be doing anyway, even if you go with HOD.) Math/phonics/LA for the two little ones can, of course, be MFW K (followed by MFW 1st), which you're already discussing in another thread since you said the 1st grader isn't reading yet.

 

~ OR ~

 

Have your 6th grader do HOD CTC (where he seems to fit on the placement chart), and then put all three of the younger kids in MFW Adventures. Again, each child will do math and phonics/LA at their own level, so you can still have the two younger ones in MFW K for that, while doing history and some of the other activities with the 3rd grader in Adventures. There are several threads on the MFW forums discussing how to do this.

[Sue G in PA]

I like Donna's idea (both, lol) very much. :) I think CtC is a good fit for you 6th grader, especially if she is a strong reader and would be able to do most of it independently. Having her working independently for much of CtC will be important so you can work with the youngers in Adv. and in K...which are both very teacher-led programs. Now, here is another suggestion (just to confuse you even more ;) ). Run MFW K with your younger 2. Follow the science topics each week and "flesh them out" for your 3rd grader. She could also participate in Bible, modifying it appropriately (using the verses for copy work, going a bit more in depth, etc.). Focus on her LA and reading this year to get her strongly placing in Preparing for her 4th grade year.

 

And another consideration to make your life even easier would be to use your own Phonics and Math for your younger 2 and go with something like FIAR for all all 3 of your youngers. Using Vol. 2 or 3 makes it a bit more age-appropriate for your 3rd grader (who would be on the upper end of the age suggestions for FIAR). Being a unit study, it would be easy to beef it up for the 3rd grader in the areas of history and science. I am actually using FIAR with a 5yo and a 7yo (and my 10yo love to listen in and join the activities). We are rowing Peter Rabbit while we plant and plan our garden. :)

 

One thing I did want to warn and that is: Don't bite off more than you think you can chew as far as running multiple guides/programs. I once had 4 HOD Guides going at once and it about did me in. We skipped a LOT of the Guides and missed out on so much of the meat of HOD. So do make sure your oldest can be fairly independent if you are going to try to run ADV. and K. Make sense? Otherwise, I would do something like FIAR for all 3 youngers to save your sanity.

[Donna A.]

I like Donna's idea (both, lol) very much. :) I think CtC is a good fit for you 6th grader, especially if she is a strong reader and would be able to do most of it independently. Having her working independently for much of CtC will be important so you can work with the youngers in Adv. and in K...which are both very teacher-led programs. Now, here is another suggestion (just to confuse you even more ;) ). Run MFW K with your younger 2. Follow the science topics each week and "flesh them out" for your 3rd grader. She could also participate in Bible, modifying it appropriately (using the verses for copy work, going a bit more in depth, etc.). Focus on her LA and reading this year to get her strongly placing in Preparing for her 4th grade year.

 

And another consideration to make your life even easier would be to use your own Phonics and Math for your younger 2 and go with something like FIAR for all all 3 of your youngers. Using Vol. 2 or 3 makes it a bit more age-appropriate for your 3rd grader (who would be on the upper end of the age suggestions for FIAR). Being a unit study, it would be easy to beef it up for the 3rd grader in the areas of history and science. I am actually using FIAR with a 5yo and a 7yo (and my 10yo love to listen in and join the activities). We are rowing Peter Rabbit while we plant and plan our garden. :)

 

One thing I did want to warn and that is: Don't bite off more than you think you can chew as far as running multiple guides/programs. I once had 4 HOD Guides going at once and it about did me in. We skipped a LOT of the Guides and missed out on so much of the meat of HOD. So do make sure your oldest can be fairly independent if you are going to try to run ADV. and K. Make sense? Otherwise, I would do something like FIAR for all 3 youngers to save your sanity.

 

More good ideas! :) Let's not confuse the poor girl by throwing too many options at her, though, huh? :lol:

 

I *love* FIAR. You can use it exclusively as a stand-alone program, or use it to supplement your history and science studies in another program. I've done it both ways over the years. For example, rowing Peter Rabbit would work beautifully with the nature-themed science topics in MFW K. Wouldn't necessarily be needed because MFW includes plenty of activities on its own, but if you wanted to take a week "off" of MFW just to row Peter Rabbit for fun, that would work, too.

 

In Adventures, you could row some of the FIAR books by location/geography as you get to those locations in your state study in ADV. For example, you could row Daniel's Duck when you get to Tennessee, or Three Names when you get to one of the prairie states. OR, just simply read the books and not "row" them at all (w/FIAR lessons). Many of the FIAR titles are on the Book Basket list in ADV, anyway.

 

Likewise if you go with ECC for the whole group, you can hit some of those international FIAR titles when you get to those countries in ECC: Madeline when you study France, or The Story of Ping when you study China.

 

You have many fun, stress-free options available! :001_smile: To start out with, though, I would pick just one "main" program for each child or combination of children, and then start ad-libbing or supplementing later on after you've got a routine going. MFW is so flexible that there are many different ways to beef up or supplement the areas where you or a particular child want "more" (Book Basket is very helpful for this), but you should work on a routine for everybody first. Find your groove.

[I.Dup.]

Thank you Sue and Donna for the help!!!

 

 

Don't bite off more than you think you can chew as far as running multiple guides/programs.

 

 

This is honestly what I am worried about. I think at max I can only do 2 programs. I have BFIAR that I did with my 6yo for about 3 weeks, but there was just too much planning and staying on top of getting library books and returning them. I am realizing if something is going to get done around here, it needs to be completely scripted/in a box or open and go. Do MFW and/or HOD require a lot of running around for books, supplies, planning what to do each week, etc? If I'm remembering correctly, I had to write out a weekly schedule for BFIAR. I also had to print/copy the worksheets, I found extra resources online through BFIAR websites to use, etc. It took quite a bit of extra time and searching, and that was only for 1 child. That only lasted for about 3 weeks. Same thing happened with TOG (although we kept that up for 13 weeks).

[Donna A.]

Do MFW and/or HOD require a lot of running around for books, supplies, planning what to do each week, etc? If I'm remembering correctly, I had to write out a weekly schedule for BFIAR. I also had to print/copy the worksheets, I found extra resources online through BFIAR websites to use, etc. It took quite a bit of extra time and searching, and that was only for 1 child. That only lasted for about 3 weeks. Same thing happened with TOG (although we kept that up for 13 weeks).

 

If you want a LOT of books to read and want them ALL scheduled in the daily lesson plans (each subject has its own box, so it's easy to figure out what to read and do next), and ALL books included in the package that you buy, then go with HOD.

 

If you want a basic "core" curriculum for which you can see the whole week at a glance and "go right down the grid and do the next thing", OR add more books, videos, etc. as time and interest allow, then go with MFW.

 

Some people have ditched MFW because it "requires" the use of Book Basket (the optional, very extensive booklist in the back of the manual) and it was too much running around time for them. We've had seasons where Book Basket was more than we could handle, as well, so I do understand that. We either tried something else for a while, or we followed the grid/daily lessons without using Book Basket until things settled down.

 

But after having used it for many years, my opinion is that does NOT "require" the use of Book Basket. Book Basket is there if you WANT it, and it includes books and videos in every genre, for every reading level from Preschool to Adult, scheduled by week # and/or topic so that you can either purchase or get from the library ahead of time. Marie has asterisked some titles that she recommends for purchase, so once you have the manual in hand, you can go through the list ahead of time and buy those from another supplier if you want. The main lessons are there... scheduled on the week-at-a-glance grid with exact page #'s, the supply list for the week right across the page from the grid, and all the *necessary* books included in the package. (I do recommend getting the Deluxe items, as those are scheduled on the grid, too.) But Book Basket is completely optional for those who want more than just the "core" lessons, and shows up on the grid in a box simply labeled "Book Basket".

 

The Deluxe package does include the scheduled read-alouds.

 

It just depends on how much y'all like to read, whether you want to buy books for your home library or use the library (budget, time and space considerations?), how much time you have in a day, what your library system is like, and how many of the titles you think your family would like to own and read again at a later time. I've bought books and videos that we discovered through Book Basket (library) that we fell in love and decided we wanted to own. That's a nice option, because then I'm not buying books we've never read and don't know if we even like.

 

Another option is to use MFW for your core lessons, but buy the books you think you'll like from HOD and use those in lieu of Book Basket.

 

In the case of MFW K, MFW does sell the literature package for it. But again, there are even more *optional* titles inside the manual.

 

You do not have to photocopy anything (or much) for MFW since the prepared student sheet sets are a separate item. (Now if you were to buy an older used edition of the manuals, then yes, you might end up with one where you had to photocopy all the student pages. That isn't the case anymore.) Prepared student pages for HOD are available from CTC and up, but not before. So those would be there for your 6th grader if you decide to use that for him. You do not have to buy separate timeline pieces or make your own notebook pages or anything like that in MFW. They include *everything* except for the (optional) Book Basket titles, regular school supplies that you probably own anyway, and consumable items for art and science projects each week. Those consumable items are listed at the beginning of each week, so you can easily check and see if there's anything you need to add to your Walmart list the week before. Prep time for MFW is quite minimal. You probably already own MOST of everything you need.

 

Be sure to read the teacher preparation notes at the front of the manual. She's very specific about how to get set up for the year. There's also a suggested schedule that you can try, or glean ideas from.

 

I assure you that MFW is *far* less time consuming than TOG. ;) And you can just ignore Sue's and my comments about FIAR. :D

[I.Dup.]

If you want a LOT of books to read and want them ALL scheduled in the daily lesson plans (each subject has its own box, so it's easy to figure out what to read and do next), and ALL books included in the package that you buy, then go with HOD.

 

If you want a basic "core" curriculum for which you can see the whole week at a glance and "go right down the grid and do the next thing", OR add more books, videos, etc. as time and interest allow, then go with MFW.

 

Some people have ditched MFW because it "requires" the use of Book Basket (the optional, very extensive booklist in the back of the manual) and it was too much running around time for them. We've had seasons where Book Basket was more than we could handle, as well, so I do understand that. We either tried something else for a while, or we followed the grid/daily lessons without using Book Basket until things settled down.

 

But after having used it for many years, my opinion is that does NOT "require" the use of Book Basket. Book Basket is there if you WANT it, and it includes books and videos in every genre, for every reading level from Preschool to Adult, scheduled by week # and/or topic so that you can either purchase or get from the library ahead of time. Marie has asterisked some titles that she recommends for purchase, so once you have the manual in hand, you can go through the list ahead of time and buy those from another supplier if you want. The main lessons are there... scheduled on the week-at-a-glance grid with exact page #'s, the supply list for the week right across the page from the grid, and all the *necessary* books included in the package. (I do recommend getting the Deluxe items, as those are scheduled on the grid, too.) But Book Basket is completely optional for those who want more than just the "core" lessons, and shows up on the grid in a box simply labeled "Book Basket".

 

The Deluxe package does include the scheduled read-alouds.

 

It just depends on how much y'all like to read, whether you want to buy books for your home library or use the library (budget, time and space considerations?), how much time you have in a day, what your library system is like, and how many of the titles you think your family would like to own and read again at a later time. I've bought books and videos that we discovered through Book Basket (library) that we fell in love and decided we wanted to own. That's a nice option, because then I'm not buying books we've never read and don't know if we even like.

 

Another option is to use MFW for your core lessons, but buy the books you think you'll like from HOD and use those in lieu of Book Basket.

 

In the case of MFW K, MFW does sell the literature package for it. But again, there are even more *optional* titles inside the manual.

 

You do not have to photocopy anything (or much) for MFW since the prepared student sheet sets are a separate item. (Now if you were to buy an older used edition of the manuals, then yes, you might end up with one where you had to photocopy all the student pages. That isn't the case anymore.) Prepared student pages for HOD are available from CTC and up, but not before. So those would be there for your 6th grader if you decide to use that for him. You do not have to buy separate timeline pieces or make your own notebook pages or anything like that in MFW. They include *everything* except for the (optional) Book Basket titles, regular school supplies that you probably own anyway, and consumable items for art and science projects each week. Those consumable items are listed at the beginning of each week, so you can easily check and see if there's anything you need to add to your Walmart list the week before. Prep time for MFW is quite minimal. You probably already own MOST of everything you need.

 

Be sure to read the teacher preparation notes at the front of the manual. She's very specific about how to get set up for the year. There's also a suggested schedule that you can try, or glean ideas from.

 

I assure you that MFW is *far* less time consuming than TOG. ;) And you can just ignore Sue's and my comments about FIAR. :D

 

Thank you so much! So do you mean that you do have to make your own notebooks, buy extra timeline pieces, photocopy things in HOD? This has been so helpful, thanks!!

[Momof2littles]

 

 

Thank you so much! So do you mean that you do have to make your own notebooks, buy extra timeline pieces, photocopy things in HOD? This has been so helpful, thanks!!

 

I am pretty sure you have to buy HOD notebook pages if you want them already done.

[kagmypts]

 

Thank you so much! So do you mean that you do have to make your own notebooks, buy extra timeline pieces, photocopy things in HOD? This has been so helpful, thanks!!

 

There is an awesome Yahoo Group for HOD where all of these files have been created. You can print everything out at the beginning of the year, and be good to go!

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HODinspiredfiles/files/

 

This has been an amazing resource for me, and I thank all of the parents who have contributed to this group!!!

[kagmypts]

 

Thank you so much! So do you mean that you do have to make your own notebooks, buy extra timeline pieces, photocopy things in HOD? This has been so helpful, thanks!!

 

There is an awesome Yahoo Group for HOD where all of these files have been created. You can print everything out at the beginning of the year, and be good to go!

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HODinspiredfiles/files/

 

This has been an amazing resource for me, and I thank all of the parents who have contributed to this group!!!

[twoxcell]

HOD is very open and go and takes very little prep. I haven't been to the library in years. I buy all the books we need. As for notebook pages starting with CTC you can purchase history ones from HOD. Before that they are not needed Carrie explains directly in the guide how students are to do their notebooking pages and different options for notebooks. Some moms have created notebooking pages for the younger guides which you can find in the yahoo group or on facebook. Personally I think the premade pages take away a bit of the skill building from notebooking. Especially some of them that have preprinted images in the place of things kids are supposedto draw themselves. I do find some of these files useful though and have used them a bit. I have tried FIAR a couple of times and was not impressed. It wasn't my cup of tea. Running multiple HOD guides is working for me and I can't see are homeschool day being shorter regardless of what I used.

[twoxcell]

Sorry for the typos. Replying from my Nook. ;)

[Donna A.]

Wanted to add that the MFW notebooking pages entail a wide variety of skills. Some (primarily for younger children) are coloring pages. Some are narration pages (a blank section for illustrating, and a lined section for the written narration underneath). Some are for mapwork (original drawing and labeling of outline maps). Some are science lab sheets. Some are copies of original documents for the students to use in memorizing something such as the Pledge of Allegiance, songs, lengthy Bible passages, and more. ECC includes a colored, cardstock geography game, for example. (First edition of ECC required that you make your own geography game.) But those are just a few examples.

 

Each student's personality, style, and level of creativity will come out in their own notebooking pages. All three of my girls' ended up different when I was schooling them together in the elementary years. I have one who's very artistic, so she treated the "plain ol' coloring pages" as a piece of art with outlining, shading, extra detailing. But that's her personality! I have another one who doesn't care about coloring or artwork at all, so I only required her to "fill in some color" without any detailing at all, and to just give me something recognizable in her illustrations. That's her personality! I have another who gets very upset if her work isn't "right", so she takes twice as long on her work. Each one is unique. :)

 

These are just what's in the "Student Sheets" sets, of course. MFW also has other assignments (copywork, artwork, etc.) that will be done on either plain paper or regular spiral or composition notebook paper to be added to their notebooks, so it's not exclusively "prepared notebooking pages". But Marie always tells you when a project is coming up that you need extra prep for.... like building the Roman arches with jello boxes in RTR. She gives you a warning about that so you can be collecting jello boxes *IF* you want to do that particular activity. (We didn't.)

 

Their notebooks serve as our required portfolios for the state because *everything* goes in there. Marie explains in the teacher notes at the front of the manual how to set up your notebooks in advance.

 

Have you ever been to a homeschool conference, or can you go to one where there might be a MFW booth? And an HOD booth, too, if possible. HOD has only been at our conference once, but MFW is there every year. They always have samples of completed notebooks lying out for people to browse, and you can literally pull up a chair and sit down to spend time with the materials and have a rep show you your way through it. It's very helpful to be able to see and touch things in person. :)