coconuts,
I did want to stop back in and answer this thread better now that I have a little more time.
As far as beefing up Preparing for a 7th grader goes, the two older threads I linked you to are very helpful in thinking through whether beefing up Preparing.. would suit your philosophy.
I have a few more suggestions in this area now that the Preparing guide is getting close to being done.
By adding either Rod and Staff English 5, 6, or 7 to Preparing... you would be right on track in the English and writing department for a 7th grader. If you choose to use a different English program than Rod and Staff, you would need to add a separate writing component. We carry Igniting Your Writing I and II, which would fill that need.
You would also want to add Drawn into the Heart of Reading Level 6/7/8 to be at the correct literature study level. Next, you would want to add a higher level of math, either through Singapore or through another option of your choice. This would make your language arts and math choices on grade level and correct in the level of rigor needed for a 7th grader.
Next, as far as Preparing... goes for the rest. Since I already linked you to the post on philosophy, I'll just say that being a Charlotte-Mason style educator, I have a different overall focus in history and science for my 7th grader, then those who are more classical or traditional in their philosophy. So, from a Charlotte-Mason perspective, the plans laid out on the left side of the Preparing... guide are enough with the use of the Extension Pack schedule along with it for an older student.
You could easily add "Short Lessons in World History" along with anything else you want to the history, depending on how much you desire to "beef up" the content. Some possible suggestions to help in that area include going more traditional by adding a BJU World History text to it. Another more CM-style option would be to add in Augustus Ceasar's World by Foster for the Roman times, Famous Men of the Middle Ages (by Memoria Press to get the full color paintings) for that period, Famous Men of the Renaissance and Reformation for the next period (written by Rob Shearer at Greenleaf Press), and Famous Men of Modern Times for the final chunk (which Memoria Press has just come out with). The Modern Times book matches especially well with the last 7 weeks of Preparing.
I would also beef up the science by adding one of the following options:
1. Add any of the elementary-aged Apologia text of your child's choice and interest to do on Day 5 of each week
2. Or add in John Hudson Tiner's "Exploring Planet Earth" and "Exploring the World of Chemistry" to read one chapter and answer the questions on Day 5 each week.
3. Or if you have a very science-minded child, you could begin with the full-blown Apologia General Science or Physical Science course.
4. Or do the first year of Rainbow Science.
5. Or, do something in between a full-blown science, but still high in content and hands-on like Exploration Education's physical science with online tutorial and kit.
6. Or, add in something like Biology 101 DVD and notes on Day 5 each week to add in higher content that way.
I would have your child do the rest of what is written in the Preparing guide as scheduled. I would teach the lessons as written and just add on any of the things I mentioned that you feel suit your philosophy and level of rigor.
I hope this helps!
Blessings,
Carrie