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This is likely a dumb question....

Why have we been instructed to draw the symbols onto a cut out of a shield only to cut those symbols out (after coloring them) and not actually use that shield pattern? I am reading the instructions over and over and not getting the process for some reason....

The enemy is on the attack because we are having one snag after another this week.

I think that probably it is done this way, so the student draws symbols that will fit on the finished shield!

Blessings as you enjoy Preparing Hearts this year!

I figured the same thing that it just helped the dc figure out how big to make their symbols, and then when they cut them out they can position them where they want.

abrightmom wrote:This is likely a dumb question....

Why have we been instructed to draw the symbols onto a cut out of a shield only to cut those symbols out (after coloring them) and not actually use that shield pattern? I am reading the instructions over and over and not getting the process for some reason....

The enemy is on the attack because we are having one snag after another this week.

We had the same problem. I had to read the directions over and over. It took me a long time to figure out the reasoning behind drawing a shield and then drawing on the symbols and then cutting them out.

We didn't understand the directions and my dc drew their symbols on our tag board shields. On day 2, we figured out that we had done it incorrectly but at that point didn't want to sacrifice our nice shields that we already had so we improvised and ended up doing all of our drawings directly on the shield. They still turned out very nice and I think they got the idea behind the project even with the goof. It taught us two things too: read the instructions more carefully and how to improvise and make do when one makes a mistake. Those are both valuable lessons. This week we're doing better following the directions.

Thanks ladies...

I am not losing my mind then.

We will follow those instructions as written as it makes sense that the first shield is a pattern or guide.

Katrina,

You are so right that the kiddos are drawing on a pattern of the shield in order for their symbols to fit well on the actual shield on the following day. Whenever I'm writing directions in the guide, the classroom teacher in me is always thinking of potential snags in a project. So, I write the directions to avoid frustration as the project progresses. Without a shield pattern, I am imagining how huge or small the symbols could be drawn and what potential frustration would result as the children tried to compensate for the huge or small symbols with the shield size in the following days!

We pray you will enjoy your time spent in Preparing Hearts as much as we did! From the feedback we get at conventions and on the board, the shield project is often a favorite among many families. We pray you will love it too!

Blessings,
Carrie

It's all working out just fine and my son's shield/coat of arms is coming along nicely. I KNOW that Carrie's instructions have a purpose and a plan. I just needed to make sure that I wasn't losing my mind right out of the starting gate. My son and I discussed it all and agreed that the wise course is to do what the guide says, trusting Carrie's guidance and "the process". It's fun!

Our week has wrapped up beautifully despite our many "first week snags". My son loves the content and work with Preparing.... he just loves it. My middlers are thriving in Little Hearts. I am relieved beyond words as our placement decisions have been confirmed this week. Through all of my confusion and blundering the Lord has placed our family just where He wants us ... He is kind and gracious. Months of needless agony....

We love HOD here.

abrightmom wrote: I am relieved beyond words as our placement decisions have been confirmed this week. Through all of my confusion and blundering the Lord has placed our family just where He wants us ... He is kind and gracious. Months of needless agony....

We love HOD here.

This describes us as well! Preparing is exactly what my 9yo needs. Beyond is meeting the needs of my 6yo and 8yo. Coming back to HOD this school year was very much the Lord's leading as I had plans for combining all my children in a "homemade" plan - that did not last very long! When my 6yo began to fall through the cracks I started him in Beyond just to keep myself from overlooking him. I had two more children asking to do HOD before the end of the day! I am very thankful for the way HOD is shaping our school and our home.

So glad you are experiencing the same!

Ladies,

I'm so glad to hear your updates! Thanks so much for taking time to share your progress!

Blessings,
Carrie