Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering:

How are your shipping costs calculated?

What is your substitution policy?

How will my order be shipped?

How long will it take for me to receive my order?

What is your return policy?

How do you handle international orders?

What credit cards do you accept?

How do I order?

Shipping Policies:

Q: How are your shipping costs calculated?
A: Shipping costs are as follows:

We are excited to announce that we now have a reduced shipping option and a free shipping option!

The above shipping rates apply to domestic orders. To place an international order, place your order online choosing the standard shipping. Once we receive your order and additional postage is calculated, we will e-mail you requesting to charge the additional postage to your credit card. After receiving your confirmation, we will send your package right away.

1. Order Online!
2. Call:(605)-428-4068 - you may have to leave a message as we are a home-school family. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
3. You can also mail your orders to:
   Heart of Dakota Publishing, Inc.
   1004 Westview Drive
   Dell Rapids, SD 57022.
   You can use the printable order form to mail in your order.

What is your substitution policy?

Substitution Policy:

We understand that you may already own some of the titles in our packages, so we are now allowing substitutions within our packages to enable you to always take advantage of the package discounts. This is easy to do online. Simply add the package that contains the book(s) that you already own to your shopping cart, and then enter the title that you wish to substitute in the "Ordering Instructions" box on our website at checkout. You may make a "one for one" substitution with any book that we offer of equal or lesser value to the book(s) you already own, and still receive the package discount!

The following packages are allowed one title substitution per package:

• Drawn into the Heart of Reading Book Packs
• Little Hands to Heaven Packages
• Little Hearts for His Glory – Economy and Emerging Reader Set
• Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory – Economy, Deluxe, and Emerging Reader Set
• Bigger Hearts for His Glory – Economy, Science, Deluxe, Extension, and Emerging Reader Set
• Preparing Hearts for His Glory – Economy, Science, Basic, Deluxe, and Extension
• Creation to Christ - Science, Basic, and Extension
• Resurrection to Reformation – Science, Basic, and Extension
• Revival to Revolution - Science, Basic, and Extension

The following packages are allowed two title substitutions per package:

• Creation to Christ – Economy

The following packages are allowed three title substitutions per package:

• Resurrection to Reformation – Economy
• Revival to Revolution – Economy


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Frequently Asked Questions About Little Hands to Heaven:

(Click on the questions below to be brought to a specific answer.)

How much time each day does the program take?
How much time is needed for preparation and planning?
How long does the program last?
What resources are best for a 2-3 year old?
What resources are best for a 4-5 year old?
I have a lot of children's Bibles. Can I just use one that I already own?
Is the Singing Bible available on CD?

Q: How much time each day does the program take?
A: The program takes 30 min. or less daily. Activities can be done in one sitting or spaced throughout the day in 5 min. chunks as time allows.

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Q: How much time is needed for preparation and planning?
A: None. It is an open up and teach program (providing that you have basic art supplies handy and are teaching in a home setting).

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Q: How long does the program last?
A: Little Hands to Heaven contains 33 five-day units. It is meant to take one school-year to complete. Often customers stretch the program out to a year and a half by doing lessons 3-4 days each week, rather than five. Make the schedule suit your needs.

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Q: What resources are best for a 2-3 year old?
A: We recommend A Child's First Bible, Big Thoughts for Little People, and The Singing Bible for this age group. If you have an advanced 3 year old, you may want to use the 4-5 year old recommendations.

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Q: What resources are best for a 4-5 year old?
A: We recommend The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes, My ABC Bible Verses (our previous recommendation, Small Talks About God, is currently out of print), and The Singing Bible for this age group.

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Q: I have a lot of children's Bibles. Can I just use one that I already own?
A: Yes, you can use a Bible you own. A scripture reference is listed for each day of plans. However, the Bibles that we carry were handpicked to match our curriculum. It is just a matter of preference and ease of use.

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Q: Is the Singing Bible available on CD?
A: Yes. It will be available in May of 2007.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Little Hearts for His Glory:

(Click on the questions below to be brought to a specific answer.)

Is this a complete program?
How long does the program last?
What do I use after Little Hearts for His Glory?
How much time does the program take daily?
How much time is required for preparation and planning?
How are history and the Bible covered?
What do I have to have to make the program work?
What are my options for phonics?
What if my child is reading already?
What are my options for handwriting?
What about the items in the Basic Package?
What are my options for math?
What are my options for science?
What resources typically work best for a 5 year old?
What resources typically work best for a 6 year old?
What resources typically work best for a 7 year old?
What if I already have my own phonics, math, or handwriting programs?

Q: Is this a complete program?
A: Little Hearts for His Glory covers all academic areas as well as art, music, and even large motor skills. The guide references a number of necessary resources to make the program function.

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Q: How long does the program last?
A: The program contains 34 five-day units, or one school year of instruction.

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Q: What do I use after Little Hearts for His Glory?
A: Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory.

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Q: How much time does the program take daily?
A: The entire day takes 90 min. or less.

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Q: How much time is required for preparation and planning?
A: Typically no preparation or planning time is required. It is designed to open up and teach. However, some customers like to briefly look over the day's plans prior to teaching.

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Q: How are history and the Bible covered?
A: Little Hearts for His Glory gives a sweeping overview of history from creation to present day showing students where the Bible fits in to history and how we got to present day America. The emphasis is on God's hand throughout history.

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Q: What do I have to have to make the program work?
A: You must have the items in the Economy Package to make the program function. You must also have a Bible, a handwriting plan, and a phonics program. We carry several that we recommend.

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Q: What are my options for phonics?
A: We carry Reading Made Easy and The Reading Lesson. Little Hearts is not tied to a specific phonics program, so any program can be used.


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Q: What if my child is reading already?
A: In place of the daily phonics option, add in your daily reading program instead. Some customers use Drawn Into the Heart of Reading after phonics.


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Q: What are my options for handwriting?
A: We carry A Reason for Writing or Italic Handwriting, or you can use your own favorite program.


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Q: What about the items in the Basic Package?
A: If you have to economize, you can do without these items. However, they greatly enhance the program. For example, the science experiments are in the guide, but if you want text pages that provide additional information you'd need the science text.

Bible memory work is included in the guide, but if you want to sing the memory verses as you learn them, you'd need the Hide 'Em in Your Heart CD.

Devotions for the Children's Hour provides a corresponding devotional to the history stories each week.

Little Hearts for His Glory includes 3-4 math activities weekly, but if you want the workbook pages that reinforce the math concepts you'd need the Earlybird Kindergarten Math Workbooks. A separate schedule for Primary Mathematics 1A-1B is listed in the Appendix of Little Hearts for His Glory. In order to use the schedule, you will need the Primary Mathematics set 1A and set 1B.

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Q: What are my options for math?
A: We carry Earlybird Kindergarten Math or Singapore Math 1A/1B. Both are scheduled in the guide. You can choose one of those options or substitute in your own math program.

Q: What are my options for science?
A: We carry Christian Liberty Press' The World God Made (K), Our Father's World (1), God's Wonderful Works (2). All 3 are scheduled for you in the guide. Choose one of the 3 options as your science text.

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Q: What resources typically work best for a 5 year old?
A: You would use the Economy Package (with Do It Carefully / Finding the Answers) and the Basic Package (with Singapore Earlybird Math) as listed. A Reason for Writing "K" or Italic "A" could also be used for handwriting. You would need to decide on phonics and whether to purchase the Bible. Note: These resources also work well for a 6-year old just beginning school.

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Q: What resources typically work best for a 6 year old?
A: You would use the Economy Package (with Thinking Skills) and the Basic Package (with either Earlybird Kindergarten Math or Singapore 1A/1B). You can view the Earlybird Math scope and sequence under view the introduction pages on the Little Hearts for His Glory page of our website to help with your decision. You could also choose Our Father's World(as a grade 1 science text) instead of The World God Made. Handwriting for this level is typically A Reason for Writing "A" or Italic Handwriting "B". You would need to decide on phonics and whether to purchase the Bible.

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Q: What resources typically work best for a 7 year old?
A: You could follow many of the suggestions listed for a 6 year old but would probably need to substitute a higher-level math and a reading program of some sort. Some of our customers use Drawn Into the Heart of Reading once they finish phonics. You could also choose God's Wonderful Works (grade 2 science text) instead of The World God Made for science.

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Q: What if I already have my own phonics, math, or handwriting programs?
A: You can easily substitute those programs into Little Hearts for His Glory. Make the program work for you. Customize it to fit your child's needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory:

(Click on the questions below to be brought to a specific answer.)

If I didn’t use Little Hearts for His Glory, can I begin with Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory?
Is this a complete program?
How long does the program last?
How much time does the program take daily?
How much time is required for preparation and planning?
What do I have to have to make the program work?
If my child is a beginning reader,
what are my options for phonics?
If my child is an emerging reader, what do you recommend
If my child is an independent reader, what do you recommend
What can you tell me about the Basic Package?
What are my options for math?
What can you tell me about the Deluxe Packages?
How are history and the Bible covered?
Why did you choose to focus on American history first?
How are the language arts covered?
What if I already have my own reading, math, or handwriting programs?
How can I tell which of your programs is best for my child?
What do I use after Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory?

Q: If I didn’t use Little Hearts for His Glory, can I begin with Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory?
A: All of our programs are written to stand alone.  You can begin with any of our programs.

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Q: Is this a complete program?
A: Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory covers all necessary academic areas including art, music, and some large motor skills. The guide references the resources that are necessary to make the program function.

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Q: How long does the program last?
A: The program contains 34 five-day units, or one school year of instruction.  However, at our house, we do "regular school" 4 days each week and save Fridays for our "extras" (all the extra things I'd like the kids to do, but would never get around to doing otherwise).  So for us, it takes a little longer than one school year to complete each program.  The program is meant to be flexible in order to suit each family's needs.

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Q: How much time does the program take daily?
A: The entire day takes 120-150 minutes or less.


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Q: How much time is required for preparation and planning?
A: The guide is written to serve as your daily lesson plan book. Typically no preparation or planning time is required. The plans are designed to open up and teach. In my homeschool day, I do not look over the plans ahead of time, however, some parents like to briefly look over the day's plans prior to teaching from them.

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Q: What do I have to have to make the program work?
A: You must have the items in the Economy Package to make the program function. You also need to have a Bible, a globe, index cards for spelling words, and basic art and craft supplies. You must also choose one of the reading options. The reading options are addressed more fully in the next 3 questions.

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Q: If my child is a beginning reader, what are my options for phonics?
A: We carry Reading Made Easy and The Reading Lesson. Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory is not tied to a specific phonics program, so any program can be used.

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Q: If my child is an emerging reader what do you recommend?
A: Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory includes a suggested book list for emerging readers and a daily schedule for using those books in the Appendix of the Teacher’s Guide. Each day also includes 3 questions from the various levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy to guide your reading discussion with your child. For ease of use, we sell the "Emerging Reader Set" on our website. You have your choice of Bible with the set.

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Q: If my child is an independent reader, what do you recommend?
A: Once your child is reading independently, he or she is ready for Drawn into the Heart of Reading. You can typically begin this program for reading around 2^nd grade. Drawn into the Heart of Reading is written to work with any books you choose. However, after many requests, we have put together a book set to use with Level 2 and one to use with Level 3 of the program. These books sets are optional but were carefully compiled with interest and reading level in mind. The goal is to build confidence and enthusiasm in "new" independent readers as they journey further into chapter books.

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Q: What can you tell me about the Basic Package?
A: If you have to economize, you can do without these items. However, they greatly enhance the program. For example, the science experiments are in the guide, but if you want text pages that provide additional photographs and written information you'd need the science text, God’s Wonderful Works.

Bible memory work is included in the guide, but if you want to sing the memory verses as you learn them, you'd need the Hide 'Em in Your Heart CD: Vol. 2.

Morning Bells provides a corresponding devotional to the history stories each week.

Beyond Little Hearts for His Gloryincludes 3 math activities weekly, but if you want the workbook pages that reinforce the math concepts you'd need the Singapore Primary Mathematics Workbooks 1A and 1B. A separate schedule for Primary Mathematics 2A/2B is listed in the Appendix of Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory. In order to use the schedule, you will need the Primary Mathematics set 2A and set 2B.

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Q: What are my options for math?
A: We carry Singapore Math 1A/1B and Singapore Math 2A/2B. Both are scheduled in the guide. You can choose one of those options or substitute in your own math program.

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Q: What can you tell me about the Deluxe Packages?
A: These optional book sets are meant to be used with the Storytime part of the plans as you read-aloud to your students. The Storytime plans work with your choice of books, so you are welcome to select your own books to read-aloud in order to economize. A list of excellent read-aloud titles for each genre is included in the Appendix of the Teacher’s Guide. The Deluxe Package groups these recommended titles into a Classic Set, a Boy Interest Set, or a Girl Interest Set.

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Q: How are history and the Bible covered?
A: Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory gives a chronological overview of early American history from 1565-1860’s. The history stories are meant for you to read aloud. They focus on pioneers, pilgrims, colonists, and patriots. The stories emphasize God’s plan throughout history. A weekly Bible story wraps up each unit by focusing on an example of Godly character that corresponds with the history stories. A daily Bible study time including memory work, devotions, and personal application questions is also included. Our next curriculum, Bigger Hearts for His Glory, revisits early American history and then moves forward in time to wrap up the American history introduction.

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Q: Why did you choose to focus on American history first?
A: After having my oldest son move through the time periods chronologically from the Ancients to the present, I found that I would have preferred to wait to discuss myths, legends, other gods, and pagan cultures until he was older and more ready for these concepts. I also found the study of the early time periods was often filled with weighty topics, barbaric behavior, and many stories of cruelty. Even in watered down fashion these didn’t seem to be appropriate topics for young children.

Instead, I wanted my young children to be inspired by stories of American heroes. I wanted to lead them to see God’s providence in the history of our nation. It seems more natural to surround them with stories that are closer in time to where they are today. So, we begin our history study with the patriotic heritage that surrounds us daily.

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Q: How are the language arts areas covered in Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory? Will I need to supplement with other materials?
A: For oral language, students memorize and recite weekly memory verses and choral read poetry. For handwriting, students copy a portion of a poem to reinforce manuscript handwriting daily. For spelling, students practice one of the 2 spelling lists 4 times each week with a variety of short spelling activities. In grammar instruction, students receive a gentle introduction to basic grammar, usage, capitalization, and punctuation one time each week.

In literature, students listen to daily read-alouds from a variety of genres. Brief, daily literature lessons emphasize story elements, genre study, Godly character traits, and narration practice. You should not need to supplement with other materials, unless you desire additional emphasis in a certain area.

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Q: What if I already have my own reading, math, or handwriting programs?
A: You can easily substitute those programs into Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory. I certainly realize that our programs may not be a perfect fit for every family. But I pray that you can make the program work for you by customizing it to fit your child's needs.

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How do I know which of your programs is best for my child?
A: It is important to choose the program that is at the right developmental level for your child. See "Placing Your Child in the Right Program" for help.

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Q: What do I use after Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory?
A: A sequel, Bigger Hearts for His Glory, is available summer 2007 (with preorders beginning in March or April 2007).  Hopefully our products may be a blessing to you on your homeschool journey.


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Frequently Asked Questions About Drawn Into The Heart of Reading:

(Click on the questions below to be brought to a specific answer.)

Are the books reproducible?
Is writing a part of this program?
Is spelling part of this program?
How have other parents used this program?
What do I do if I don't have time to teach the lesson?
My child is already an excellent reader why would I need this program?
How do I determine which level to place my child in the program?
I use KONOS or Sonlight, or Tapestry of Grace, can I still use this program?
Do you have suggestions for books to use?
How do I decide which books match each unit?
How do I know when my child s ready to start this program?
Do I really need the Teacher's Guide?
Is there a separate Teacher's Guide for each level in the program?
What is covered in this program?
How much time will I spend teaching the lessons?
How do the Godly character traits fit into the program?
How do the "Book Projects to Send Home" fit into the program?


Q: Are the books reproducible?
A: No, the Student Books are not reproducible.

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Q: Is writing a part of this program?
A: Writing assignments are included, but the writing process is not taught.

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Q: Is spelling part of this program?
A: No, since students often read and spell at different levels, spelling was purposefully omitted from this program.

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Q:How have other parents used this program?
A: There are many options. Here are some of the more common ones:
• Go through the program in one year, covering all 9 units in any order.
  
• Spread the program out over 2 years, covering 1/2 of the units one year and 1/2 of the units the next year in any order.
• Teach Drawn Into the Heart of Reading 3 or 4 days a week instead of daily, stretching each level out over 2 years.
• Use the units sporadically as they match other things you may be teaching.
• Teach a reading unit one month and then follow that with a month of free reading books from the same genre. Then, teach a new unit the next month.


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Q: What do I do if I don't have time to teach the lesson?
A: On each teaching day, there is an independent option for emergencies. It is noted with a clock in the "Teacher's Guide" and directions are given in the Appendix of each "Student Book".

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Q: My child is already an excellent reader why would I need this program?
A: This program allows you to choose books that will challenge and interest your child. It also teaches story elements which help students analyze literature, providing a base for future literature study.

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Q: How do I determine which level to place my child in the program?
A:  - Level 2/3 is for those students who have completed phonics and are still practicing reading aloud. Students at this level meet with you daily. Only 1/3 of the days require written work.

      - Level 4/5 is for students who can read silently and comprehend well. Students must also be able to work independently half of the time and do daily written work.

      - Level 6/7/8 is for students who no longer need practice oral reading, can read silently, and comprehend well. Students at this level must be able to work independently and follow written directions for daily work. They will briefly meet with you 2-3 times each week.

      * Note:  If in doubt about a level, it is best to choose a lower level for a year, and then move up as your child is ready. The levels do not necessarily correspond to grade levels. For example, we have high school students that use 6/7/8 as an introduction to literature course.

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Q: I use KONOS or Sonlight, or Tapestry of Grace, can I still use this program?
A: Yes, the "Teacher's Guide" and "Student Books" work well with literature you are already reading for those programs. Simply match the unit from "Drawn into the Heart of Reading" to the type of book you are assigned to read.

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Q: Do you have suggestions for books to use?
A: There is a sample book list available for purchase on our site for $5.00 with ideas for each reading unit, but any book can be used.

We also have book packs put together for level 2 and 3 for purchase on our website. See our Book Shop to put together your own selections.

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Q: How do I decide which books match each unit?
A: Refer to the Appendix for a list of categories and definitions of literature. You can also purchase the "Sample Book Ideas List".


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Q: How do I know when my child is ready to start this program?
A: The student needs to have completed phonics instruction and be able to read aloud books such as "Frog and Toad" by Arnold Lobel or "Amelia Bedelia" by Peggy Parish.

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Q: Do I really need the Teacher's Guide?
A: Over two-thirds of the program is contained in the Teacher's Guide. If you only use the Student Books, the program loses the dialogue that is so important and becomes "just another workbook".

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Q: Is there a separate Teacher's Guide for each level in the program?
A: No, there is only one Teacher's Guide that contains all of the instruction for levels 2-8.

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Q: What is covered in this program?
A:
• Genre Studies (i.e. Biography, Adventure, Mystery, etc.)
• Story Elements (i.e. character, setting, plot, mood, etc.)
• Godly Character Traits (i.e. integrity, faith, loyalty, etc.)
• Vocabulary Strategies (applied to the book being read)
• Literature Discussion Questions
  
• Project Work
Q: How much time will I spend teaching the lessons?
A:
• Level 2/3 about 20 min. per day
• Level 4/5 about 30 min. on alternating days
• Level 6/7/8 about 20 min. 2-3 times per week
Note: Students have independent work daily in addition to the times listed above.



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Q: How do the Godly character traits fit into the program?
A: The Godly character traits teach students to weigh book characters and issues raised in the book using the Bible as a standard.

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Q: How do the "Book Projects to Send Home" fit into the program?
A: They are 1 of 3 project options at the end of each unit. The books are considered optional. If you have an artistic or creative student, the book is well worth the price.

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