How to Homeschool with Heart of Dakota
Considering homeschooling, but not sure where to start? Well, if you have children, the Lord has already naturally equipped you with all you need! You’ve been your children’s teacher since birth, and homeschooling is no different. You certainly can teach your children as they move through each new life stage, and these “How to Homeschool” tips make it super simple!
Simply choosing to homeschool is the first step to take. We know this can be overwhelming – we remember this ourselves! EVERYONE at Heart of Dakota has homeschooled or been homeschooled, and we have been helping families homeschool for more than 20 years. You are not alone! We are here to help you every step of the way – from preschool to twelfth grade.
Still not sure? Carrie Austin, Heart of Dakota’s author and fellow homeschool mom, felt the same way. However, after starting, she found she truly loved homeschooling with her Charlotte Mason literature-based approach! In fact, other moms took note of Carrie’s homeschool plans and began asking her to share them. Drawn into the Heart of Reading became the first guide Carrie wrote. You can read about how Carrie’s passion to help others homeschool began… here!
Nearly 25 years later, thousands of families have used Heart of Dakota to educate their children at home, and those children have become adults fulfilling God’s own unique calling in their lives! So, grab a cup of coffee and check out these practical tips for getting started with Heart of Dakota!
What do I need to teach?
Not sure what you need to teach? Heart of Dakota’s teacher guides include complete plans for all academic and elective subjects. They are open-and-go, with little to no prep or planning, so you can enjoy the learning journey with your children! Prepared plans, discussion questions, notes, teaching tips, projects, and appendices make your day flow smoothly. You can rest easy knowing each Heart of Dakota guide includes one full school year of complete plans. Carrie has her master’s degree in education, and she made sure all your bases are covered!
What do I do each day?
Wondering what to do each day? Two-page daily plans can easily be seen at a glance. Just work through the boxes on the left and right sides of the two-page plan, checking them off as you finish them. Go in any order you like! When they are all checked off, your day is done. The next day, just turn the page and you are ready to go – easy peasy!
Who does what?
Uncertain who does what? The teacher guides make it clear! Each box of plans is marked “T” for teacher-directed, “S” for semi-independent, and “I” for independent. This way, everybody knows their roles. Parents do the reading and the leading for “T” boxes. Students work independently on their “I” boxes. Finally, “S” boxes are shared, with clear plans noting what the parent does and what the student does.
Is there a sample week of plans?
Want to see a week of plans? Every one of our guides’ first week of plans is on our website: https://www.heartofdakota.com. Under “PROGRAMS“, just click on any guide and then scroll to the bottom. You’ll see PDFs of a sample day, a sample week, and student notebook samples. For a quick example, check out Preparing Hearts for His Glory’s PDFs by clicking on each below…
What supplies do I need?
Stressing about supplies? No need to! Carrie has been homeschooling her own four sons the entire time she has been writing Heart of Dakota guides. She has made sure the plans use basic school and art supplies, and she offers simple substitution suggestions too. Science experiments use common household supplies or kits that have all you need. No need to head to the library either – unless you want to just for fun! Heart of Dakota carries all the books and resources you need for each guide, so you can enjoy homeschooling without having to leave your home.
What do I need to order, and can I customize it?
Not sure what to order? Just go to our website and click on the guide you want to use under “PROGRAMS”. Then, click “SHOP NOW”, and use our easy-to-follow numbered baskets to create your order. Basket #1 is always the Economy Package, and it is necessary to make the program work. The other baskets help you build the rest of your order and customize it as you go. You can click “VIEW DETAILS” next to any package or individual resources to help you personalize your order. Choose from math options, read-aloud options, boy and girl interest options, and more!
Find Out More and Get Connected
- Request a digital or print catalog – or both! Our full-color catalog includes beautiful illustrations, handy charts, placement tips, book descriptions, helpful samples, and heartfelt testimonials! (Request your free catalog here.)
- Read some Heart of Dakota blog posts! Our blog provides practical help, teaching tips, and encouragement from Carrie and her sister. (Check out our blog by clicking here.)
- Sign up for our email newsletter The Insider. Our email newsletter announces sales, describes new products, shares weekly blog posts, includes heartfelt testimonials from Heart of Dakota families! (Sign up for Heart of Dakota emails here.)
- Email Heart of Dakota with questions. Every person you interact with through email is part of the Heart of Dakota family! Reach out with any questions you have or just to introduce yourself – we love to get to know our families! (View our contact info here.)
- Talk to us in person on the phone. Every person you talk to on the phone has homeschooled with Heart of Dakota or has been homeschooled with Heart of Dakota. We love to help, and we are only a phone call away! Call 605-428-4068
- Read some Heart of Dakota Message Board posts. Our message board has been with us from the very beginning! Just go to the Main Board and search for any given topic. There is so much wisdom, helpful dialogue, and practical advice at your fingertips! (Join the message board here.)
- Check out Heart of Dakota’s FB or YouTube videos. Our Facebook includes weekly articles and announcements, and our YouTube includes links to short Guide Overviews.
Homeschooling the Heart of Dakota way
Families have been happily homeschooling the Heart of Dakota way for decades. You can too! Let us help you get started. Together, let’s homeschool! Let’s give our children an education to treasure, to remember, to celebrate… and let’s do this together.
In Christ,
Julie
