Heart of Dakota Curriculum
We began using Heart of Dakota Curriculum in January on the recommendation of my SIL. Our oldest son started with Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory and we skipped portions so we could finish the end of May. We’ve had some family health issues come up so schooling right now isn’t happening but the boys are learning great lessons about compassion and helping those who can’t help themselves and about how we are the hands and feet of Jesus.
What drew me into HOD was that it is truly Christ centered. Christian principles and Bible content is not added in but the main focus. I had wanted to do the Principle Approach and follow that educational philosophy but time does not permit me to do that but we are really enjoying HOD! We will be doing Little Hearts for His Glory with the twins and Bigger Hearts for His Glory with David starting late summer or early fall.
My heart is still drawn into the Principle Approach and maybe time will allow me to study more and prepare myself in the months/years to come. Originally, we had wanted to start with PA but after discussing it with my husband, we have decided to try and start implementing it when our oldest is in 4th grade.
For the first time in 3-4 years of looking at homeschool curriculum, I am not searching for “it” anymore! Once I settled on HOD, my heart was at peace. I am still looking for the right fit for a reading program but that is because of my son’s learning style. He is a visual-spatial learner.
With HOD, everything is included but phonics (for younger grades) and math - though daily math lessons are given, it is only for supplemental purposes.
The philosophy of HOD is based on the Charlotte Mason approach - living books, short lessons. Spelling is included starting in Beyond Little Hearts and beginning in Bigger Hearts, Carrie Austin the author, recommends using Rod & Staff English. I am excited about upcoming school plans and am expecting the boys to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord!
You can learn more about HOD at their website Heart of Dakota. There you can download the first week of lessons for each of the programs and go to their message board to “meet” other HODies. There is also a new Yahoo! group Heart of Dakota Yahoo! Group.





