Saturday, May 9, 2009

Curriculum for Next Year

I am excited to say that after 5 years of homeschooling I can finally define our homeschool style. I have always declared that we are eclectic homeschoolers, and although that is absolutely true we really just didn't find our niche. This year we put our textbooks aside and started doing unit studies and reading living books. Both kids are happier and enjoying school even more! With that said our main method is the Charlotte Mason Method :
A method of education popular with homeschoolers in which children are taught as whole persons through a wide range of interesting living books, firsthand experiences, and good habits.
I was ordering some books and dvd's at christianbook.com when I stumbled on a Heart of Dakota manual. I was interested and googled HOD only to find the best curriculum I have ever researched. I ordered Breanna's for next year and it arrived within three days! I love the manual (remember I do not like boxed curriculum) and the wonderful living books! I will take a picture of it all ans post it later. It was a bit confusing at first what I was supposed to order, then I found the message board and the ladies on there helped me figure it all out. This curriculum is not overwhelming, yet covers each subject in such a way that will enrich their minds. If I were to write out a curriculum perfect for me, this would be it. I can not tell you how excited I am. I never get excited over "boxed" curriculum. ever. This is different though. The books are not textbooks, they are living books and the manual is very flexible and easy to follow. I can supplement as I wish and I know if I do not Bre will still be learning enough. I love putting together unit studies, but sometimes worry if I am doing enough. Not to mention how time consuming it can be. Carrie (author/creator of HOD) has taken all the doubt out of my mind. Basically the manual itself is based on Unit studies. She has integrated all the subjects to mesh into each other, so the kids get a very well rounded understanding of the subject(s). I just love it! Can you tell? Check out the website here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/ If I were to compare it to another curriculum I would say My Fathers World or sonlight only easier on mom. :) I know I will be supplementing with T4L and other great programs, however this is a very enriching curriculum for families that love the Charlotte Mason approach. There ya go, after all these years I said I wouldn't put a label on our Homeschooling style, I just did. We just kind of integrated to this without even realizing it and we all love it. The best part is that I can read living books to both kids and just customize to their levels and needs. I am a more hands on homeschool mom, and I want to stress that HOD fits that bill. T4L is great for supplementing or when I am ill or have appointments and such. The both together are going to make for another fabulous homeschool year! You know it's great when you AND the kids get excited to see the UPS truck delivering yet MORE books!

3 comments:

momtofivekids said...

This looks awesome! I'm considering using it, but I have to look into it more. I would like to do unit studies with my younger 3 kids, but they are 4 and 5 years apart in age (4, 9 & 13) Also I'd like to do American hisotry. Do you know which HOD book cover it? Thanks!

momtofivekids said...

I looked at the website some more and answered my own question. :)

Homeschool Mama said...

Hi! were you able to find what you were looking for? I know I spent hours trying to figure out all that was required before I found the message board. :)