Rev to rev using extensions

[Mellisimo]

I have a 14 year old I am placing in rev to rev. I plan to use extensions. I don't need to buy the basic package as well , correct? I am under the impression that extensions take the place of the basic books. Is that correct? Thanks!

[StephanieU]

I think it depends on what your child can handle. Exchanging the extensions for the basic package only increases the workload slightly. Instead of doing the storytime box, you would be doing a combination of oral narration, written narration, and notebooking. The storytime box is a mixture of critical thinking questions and oral narrations (best I can tell from the first week online). The amount of reading is fairly similar.
If your child can handle more (places in WG for example), then I would recommend doing both.

[Rice]

Extensions are generally considered to be in addition to the regular work scheduled in the guide (unless there's some reason to modify/substitute instead).

The suggested narration assignments for the Extension books (along with the Extension schedule) are located in the Appendix after the list of Extension books with descriptions.

Blessings,

[Mellisimo]

I did see the extension suggestions in the appendix. That is actually what caused me to wonder. In the appendix of res to ref ( it is what I have on hand), it says adding this optional package the economy package extends the area of history to include more advanced , independent reading material. The paragraph concludes with a sentence stating "for very sensitive 7th or 8th graders, or for those who are not yet strong readers, we recommend using the basic package in place of the extension package". That is what is making me wonder if it is either one or the other. I apologize if I am making things complicated.

[Mellisimo]

Thank you for your help. I guess I will buy the basic package and add extensions on top of that. Res to ref took her quite a while, I kind of dread adding more time, but do want it to be appropriate for her age.

[LynnH]

I would meet her where she is at and not go by age. If RTR took her extra time to do then I would not add extensions to Rev to Rev. If half way through she is breezing through it then maybe consider ordering a few of the extensions. Some of the extensions are actually used in the new high school American History guide.

[Rice]

My DD is just in Preparing at 11 so will be 14 by the time she hits Rev2Rev, too. I agree. Do what she can handle. That doesn't mean you don't stretch her to do all she is capable of, but you also don't push so she's discouraged, overwhelmed or frustrated.

We started HOD last year and had to move our DD from Preparing down to Bigger because her reading level couldn't accommodate the work load. After time and interventions she is much closer to grade-level and feeling good about her improvement but I still haven't yet added in Extensions for her. I hope to use some of them this year and even more next year in CTC, but attempting to demand them all right now would not go well.

So, although I said above that Extensions are intended in addition to the rest (and they are) that is tempered by individual ability/skill, temperament and personal circumstances. My thoughts: start with the basic guide as written, then add the Extensions as you are able. Some ideas for using the Extension books: assign what you figure she can handle; use some books as night time read-alouds; give them as free reads for when she reads for enjoyment (if she does); give her a certain amount of time per day to read, no matter how far she gets; or any combination that gives her the books in a format that works for both of you!

Blessings,

[StephanieU]

So, although I said above that Extensions are intended in addition to the rest (and they are) that is tempered by individual ability/skill, temperament and personal circumstances. My thoughts: start with the basic guide as written, then add the Extensions as you are able. Some ideas for using the Extension books: assign what you figure she can handle; use some books as night time read-alouds; give them as free reads for when she reads for enjoyment (if she does); give her a certain amount of time per day to read, no matter how far she gets; or any combination that gives her the books in a format that works for both of you!

Blessings,

And before adding in the extensions, have her read the storytime (basic package) herself if you want. This will up the workload a little bit since she is doing the reading and not you. Or share the reading of the storytime and the extensions - maybe reading 5 minutes of each to her and then having her finish them. Also, make a tentative plan and see if you will get to the AH1 guide. If your plan includes this guide for high school, then skip anything that is in that guide to lighten the load, spreading out the other extension books if needed.

[crlacey]

I did see the extension suggestions in the appendix. That is actually what caused me to wonder. In the appendix of res to ref ( it is what I have on hand), it says adding this optional package the economy package extends the area of history to include more advanced , independent reading material. The paragraph concludes with a sentence stating "for very sensitive 7th or 8th graders, or for those who are not yet strong readers, we recommend using the basic package in place of the extension package". That is what is making me wonder if it is either one or the other. I apologize if I am making things complicated.

I may be wrong, but that sentence you quoted is letting the parent know that if you have sensitive kids, you might not want them doing the extensions even if they are of extension grade level.
The extensions in all the guides we've used (Little Hearts - Res to Ref) are to be used along with the basic package, not in place of.

[Mellisimo]

Thank you all for your help. I went ahead with just the basic package for now. I will give her a while to get adjusted, and then will consider adding extensions.