Has anyone used Heart of Dakota?

[LuxPerpetua]

I just got their catalogue in the mail yesterday and am intrigued.  If you've used it, what level, and what did your think?  Did you supplement at all?

Thanks!

[sleet76]

I have an acquaintance who uses Heart of Dakota, and she Loves, Loves, loves it.  I unfortunately don't know much more than that, but I do know that people at a homeschool gathering asked her if she was selling it, she was so enthusiastic.  (She doesn't sell it.  :)  )

[elizawill]

i purchased it & we'll begin using it in late august (when our school year starts). my kids will be in 2nd & 4th, and i bought the extension pack for my daughter. we will begin with "bigger", and she'll be 10 in oct, so i figured the extension pack would be necessary for her.  it looks really wonderful & i can't wait to begin. i specifically chose it so we could do the bulk of their subjects together, bu i still have the freedom to separate their LA & Math. for my son i'll be using CLE math & R&S english. for my daughter i'll use CLE math & BJU english (which we currently use and love for her).  anyway, it "looks" great ....we'll see.  excited to try it though.

[LuxPerpetua]

ElizaWill--can you tell me more about CLE math?  What is it that you like and such?  I'm starting to keep track of things now that we are approaching the grades.  Is CLE manipulative-based or worksheets or ...?  Thanks!

[elizawill]

hi allison,

there is nothing special about CLE. i just like it because it works well with my kids. it is cheap & effective.  it is not manipulative based, rather it is a workbook (although you could incorporate manipulatives - i do with my son). they have samples at clp.org 

i have used grades 1, 2, and we are currently in 3rd. i'm very pleased with it. HOD recommends singapore actually, but i've chosen to stay with what we already use and like.... & for both kids that's CLE for math.

with my son, i'll use R&S english, but that's mainly because we can do the bulk of it orally (but we will stay with R&S phonics, which requires writing - so i thought R&S english orally would work well). i love BJU for my daughter - but that is mainly because i really stink at teaching "writing", and BJU makes it simple. i may switch my son to BJU in 3rd too.

anyway, CLE math is good - not for everyone of course, but we love it.

[netpea]

I have used Little Hands to Heaven, Little Hearts for His Glory, Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory, and Bigger Hearts for His Glory.  This fall we will be using Bigger Hearts for His Glory and Hearts for Him: Creation to Christ.

I love Heart of Dakota (HOD).  They are Christ Centered and cover all the subjects well.  Our day has a wonderful feel to it.  If you have specific questions, feel free to ask.

LA

[Reebekah]

i have used little hands to heaven (ages 2-5).  i thought it was plain, simple, well thought out....unfortunately, by the time i got it my son already knew a lot of the things it covers (numbers, letters, etc), so we didnt make good use of it.  my son goes to a homeschool co-op, and the one mom used little hearts for his glory (i believe) to teach the preschoolers and kindergarteners a gentle creation based science course.  overall, i would describe HOD as a gentle, very Christian curriculum.