After Christmas, we usually change our homeschool curriculum up some. I wasn't planning to this year, though! We have been using Do-It-Yourself Homeschooling Journals since mid-October and enjoying them very much!
However, yesterday, my ten-year old son, Eli, asked if we could take a break from the journals and return to Heart of Dakota's Bigger Hearts for His Glory. After all, I did say that we were just taking a break from HOD to see how the journals worked out. I was surprised, to say the least! Especially after talking to both Mikaela and Mercie and hearing the same thing.
So, we are mixing things up!
The tentative plan is this: Use Bigger Hearts Monday-Thursday {condensing 5 days into 4, which is very doable} and have Friday for Journal Day. They will use the books and information they learned from HOD that week for their journals. Mercie will continue using the Fun-Time Spelling Journal and the Bible Devotion Journal daily.
Mikaela isn't doing HOD, but she wants to return to America the Beautiful and Science in the Ancient World. However, the ATB workload was starting to stress her out, so we will be stretching out her daily lessons to two {or three} days. She will read about half of her lesson and complete half of her activities one day, and finish reading and completing the activities the next. I don't mind going slower, if it means she will retain more information and not be as stressed. She will do science twice a week instead of three days. She will continue using the Spelling Time Journal and the Math Book from the Thinking Tree.
Silas's schedule won't change much. I am planning to add in more science and Bible for him, and I would love to do FIAR with him. If it were up to him, he would watch Paw Patrol all day and call it good.
As I said, this is tentative. I do want my children to enjoy learning, and I take their feedback seriously. I don't, however, allow them to make the final decisions on school. I liked Bigger Hearts and enjoyed the time we spent together, so I think this will be just fine.
Are any of you changing things up?
We will be mixing things up too. Now that our new school year will be starting up.
ReplyDeleteYes, I read your post! I like mixing the journals in the everyday... We may do that some. I'm thinking of cutting the spine and only putting together certain pages.
DeleteI'm in the prayer and processing mode for changing a bit in our 2nd semester. Actually thinking about picking up HOD ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family!
HOD is such a solid program! Happy New Year to you and your family, too!
DeleteHappy New Year! I hope you have a successful time with HOD again! We are actually switiching to Tapestry of Grace for my 7th, 3rd, and K'er. As much as I love Sonlight, I needed to be on the same page time wise for my sanity. Plus these girls learn so much more with the hands-on aspect of TOG. I am excited about the change and ready to start tomorrow on the right foot! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in TOG for this coming year. Would you be interested in emailing me with how you like it and how its working for you?
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