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Heart of Dakota

Christian, Charlotte Mason unit-study curriculum built around modular history guides.

Updated September 2026 · 6 sources

Grades	PreK–12th
Subjects	History, Bible, geography, science, literature, spelling, poetry, art (math & grammar sold as add-on packages)
Math	Sold as an add-on by the same publisher
Faith	Christian worldview throughout
Approach	Charlotte Mason unit study: history-themed living books, notebooking and hands-on activities
Who teaches	The parent teaches from a scripted guide
Parent prep	Very low (two-page scripted daily lesson boxes)
Screen time	Mostly offline (books and paper)
Video lessons	None: no video instruction; parent-led lessons from the daily guide
Cost	$757.60: Bigger Hearts for His Glory (grade 3) full modular bundle - Economy Package + Basic Package (grammar & math) + Science + Emerging Reader's Set + handwriting, at HOD's listed sale prices (source)
Placement	HOD Guide Placement Program Selection Chart plus series-specific placement charts
ESA vendor	Publisher is on the approved vendor list in Arkansas (Direct Pay), Wyoming, Florida, New Hampshire. Checked September 2026; each state's list can change and applies to the publisher, not every product.

Is it right for your child? Answer a few questions to see how Heart of Dakota ranks against 24 other programs.

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What parents say

Families who like Heart of Dakota often point to the short, scripted daily lesson boxes as the reason it finally feels doable, and reviewers repeatedly call the prep time very minimal since everything from book lists to discussion questions is spelled out. The main frustration is that the curriculum ships in separate modular packages: math and grammar are extra picks, science and readers are separate purchases, so building a complete year takes more shopping, and more total cost, than the base guide price suggests.

Parents love

Short, scripted two-page daily lesson plans
Very little parent prep time
Engaging living-books and hands-on activities

Common complaints

Sold in separate modular packages, not one box
Math is light and sold separately
Guides are written per level, so siblings usually need their own

Who it fits

Best for

Yes, include math. Math package add-on available in the same modular system
Christian worldview. Biblical worldview woven into history, science and character
Charlotte Mason. Living books, nature journaling and narration drive lessons
Hands-on unit studies. Every subject ties back to the year's history theme
One child at a time. Written level-by-level; most families buy one guide per child
Daily lesson plans done for me. Scripted two-page daily lesson boxes, minimal parent prep
Mostly offline. Mostly books and hands-on work
Some screen time. Books-based, little screen time
Some: 1–2 hours daily. About 1.5-2 hours of daily parent-guided lessons

Less suited for

No religious content. Christian content throughout
Video lessons a big plus. No video instruction; parent-led lessons from the daily guide

These come straight from the scoring rules the quiz uses.

Similar programs

My Father's WorldChristian unit-study curriculum blending Charlotte Mason, classical and hands-on projects
Gather 'Round HomeschoolChristian unit-study curriculum sold by the month; teaches multiple ages at once
SonlightChristian, literature-based all-subjects box built around daily read-alouds

Comparisons

My Father's World vs Heart of Dakota

Questions parents ask

What subjects does Heart of Dakota cover?

History, Bible, geography, science, literature, spelling, poetry, art (math & grammar sold as add-on packages). It's described as charlotte Mason unit study: history-themed living books, notebooking and hands-on activities.

Does Heart of Dakota include math?

Not in the main package. Heart of Dakota's publisher sells math as an add-on you can buy with it, or you can use any math program you like.

What grades does Heart of Dakota cover?

Heart of Dakota covers grades PreK–12th.

How much does Heart of Dakota cost?

$757.60: Bigger Hearts for His Glory (grade 3) full modular bundle - Economy Package + Basic Package (grammar & math) + Science + Emerging Reader's Set + handwriting, at HOD's listed sale prices. Prices were checked on publisher or retailer pages in September 2026; check current prices before buying.

Is Heart of Dakota Christian or secular?

Christian worldview throughout.

Is Heart of Dakota online?

Mostly offline (books and paper). The parent teaches from a scripted guide.

Does Heart of Dakota have a placement test?

Yes. HOD Guide Placement. Program Selection Chart plus series-specific placement charts

Sources (6)

Summaries are in our own words.