[Carol C]

I am considering FIAR Vol 4 or HOD Bigger Hearts for my 7 y/o 2nd grader and 8 (almost 9 y/o) 4th grader. I also have an infant and toddler so, I am trying to streamline our approach for next session and use one method for both older kids.

I would love to hear your experiences with either of these methods! I am curious to know if these approaches are enough for the fourth grader since he will be on the upper end of the age range. I know there are expansion packs for HOD, but will the LA be sufficient?

Is one meatier than the other?

I have decided to use Drawn Into the Heart of Reading (DITHOR) either way I go (in case that makes a difference).

Thank you!

 

[elizawill]

i'm not familiar with HOT, but we use FIAR. i also plan to continue & incorporate it next year. my kids will be in grades K & 2nd then, and like you , i want to keep their core curriculum together. i own all 4 volumes, so i'm happy to answer specific questions. but to answer one question, i do believe it is more than enough for your 9 year old. the best place to get advice would be to visit the FIAR forums. also, HOT has a yahoo group i'm certain - so i'd recommend joining and posting there as well. lastly, have you looked at www.homeschoolreviews.com ? it may help as well. good luck! and welcome to the MDC forums

 

[momtocuteboys]

We have been seriously considering HOD for our kids. I LOVE what I have read and researched so far. There is a forum on the HOD site. I have read so many great reviews on it.

 

[elizawill]

LOL. sorry i called heart of dakota HOT. i guess it's a hot curriculum. ha ha. that was a typo..i'm sure you know

 

[theretohere]

I haven't used either but a friend loaned me all the FIAR books. I read them all and I think it's a neat idea, but it seems very gentle. My DD would have been bored and understimulated.

 

[elizawill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by theretohere I haven't used either but a friend loaned me all the FIAR books. I read them all and I think it's a neat idea, but it seems very gentle. My DD would have been bored and understimulated.

i thought the same thing when i first saw it. i was less than impressed honestly. it seemed too simple. i think looking at blogs of FIAR users gives a glimpse of how this curriculum can be used to the fullest successfully. that's what got me hooked anyway. we don't use FIAR solely, but how we incorporate it is with notebooking. we also use lapbooks sometimes. www.homeschoolshare.com has resources that are phenomenal and dedicated to FIAR books. we also use the FIAR cookbook, which i like a lot. but i agree, it isn't a typical curriculum and won't fit with everyone.