Planning for the new school year.

    We have switched back and forth between two homeschooling curriculum providers over the years, but I am happy to say that we have finally settled on one program for the rest of the homeschooling adventure.  It is the one we started with back in 2004 when John was first starting preschool work.  The company's name is Heart Of Dakota.  In the beginning they only had plans for elementary aged guides and were recommending that everyone switch over to My Father's World for high school, but they have decided to continue writing curriculum through 12th grade.

     I ended up using some of both for elementary ages.  So far we have used 4 programs from Heart of Dakota (HOD) and 2 from My Father's World (MFW).  I have found that the style and content of HOD is a much better fit for my family than MFW.

     For the last 2 years, the kids have been combined into one main program through MFW with language arts and math at their own levels.  This year we will be separating them into two completely different programs again. This way they both work at their own level throughout the day and we can still come back together for bible study and storytime to enjoy learning together.

     Joanie will be using Bigger Hearts for His Glory with the extension package add on since she will be in fourth grade this year.

     John will be using Creation to Christ with the History Interest package. History is his favorite subject.

     And of course we will continue our Community Bible Study in Brighton.  It's a year long study.  This year we will be studying Kings and the Minor prophets.  The kids do the same study the adults do but with fewer questions.

       I am so looking forward to this year.  Both kids will be moving to more independent learning, using the teaching guides as their own daily school planners to do their work and hopefully feeling more ownership about their work.  This looks to be a great year.