Preparing w/ a 7th grader?

[Sue G in PA]

This is still strictly a "what if" situation. Ds12 will be a 7th grader next year. He is in ps right now (his first year since 1st gr.). He LOVES ps. Loves the social aspect of it, his classes, the change in scenery from these 4 wall each day. I've talked with him about his desires for next year and at first he wanted to continue with ps until high school. Then he said he really wanted to come home. Anyway, I am planning to use Preparing with ds9 and ds10 (if we bring him home next year). Could I use this with ds12 as well and just use his level math and LA? He is an average reader, a good writer and comprehends/narrates very well. His spelling is so-so, but has been improving.

I've told him that if he comes home next year he is home for good, so I have to look ahead now to high school. He has had "some" American History, Ancients, Rome-Rev. (in 2nd gr), but not a full review of World or American yet. Just bits and pieces. I would use MFW Ancient History and Literature for him in high school unless HOD has a program we can continue with that would be rigorous enough for high school. So, that would mean Preparing (World History) next year, probably CTC in 8th with his brothers and then another year of Ancients in 9th unless we could use RtR from HOD for high. But it doesn't seem rigorous enough. Any suggestions for me? Thanks.

[deltagal]

Sue,
Use the placement chart to determine where he places and where the others place. Then post back. Proper placing will address your ultimate question about rigor. We can give you some feedback with that answered.

Thanks!

[Sue G in PA]

Placement wise, he fits into CTC rather nicely using the extention packs for 7th and 8th graders. My only concern is that i will be doing LHFHG w/ dd5 and ds7, Preparing for ds9 and possibly ds10 and have a 9th grader doing MFW AHL (mostly independently, though). I just don't think I have the energy or the time to do CTC with ds12! Not to mention I'll have a toddler to chase! Ugh. I was just hoping to put him into Preparing and "beef it up" a bit to save myself some time and effort, kwim? Ability wise, he can do all that CTC requires and some of what RTR would require. He can write very well, uses higher level thinking skills, can do dictation and copywork, write in cursive, reads on grade level for the most part...The next consideration is where to go from RTR? When is the next program going to be out? Probably not for his 8th grade year. Any thoughts?

[GracieMarie]

I am new to HOD so not really giving you advice but letting you know that I was considering doing Preparing with my 7th grader also. Will see what other advice comes up in your thread.

[juliekay]

Dear Sue,

We are currently using Preparing for grade 3,6,7. We do use the extension books. I use a different Math program and so we just go with their needed level. I also added additional Science books (History of Medicine and World of Biology by Tiner for ds in 7th and the History of Science by Beautiful Feet for ds in 6th). They are also finishing a Greek workbook. I'm still thinking about next year, but it is looking like I will jump all 3 into RtR with lots of tweaking for them all as we are contemplating a 1 day per week co-op. This is a new thought so I am still really praying hard about next year.

[deltagal]

Placement wise, he fits into CTC rather nicely using the extention packs for 7th and 8th graders. My only concern is that i will be doing LHFHG w/ dd5 and ds7, Preparing for ds9 and possibly ds10 and have a 9th grader doing MFW AHL (mostly independently, though). I just don't think I have the energy or the time to do CTC with ds12! Not to mention I'll have a toddler to chase! Ugh. I was just hoping to put him into Preparing and "beef it up" a bit to save myself some time and effort, kwim? Ability wise, he can do all that CTC requires and some of what RTR would require. He can write very well, uses higher level thinking skills, can do dictation and copywork, write in cursive, reads on grade level for the most part...The next consideration is where to go from RTR? When is the next program going to be out? Probably not for his 8th grade year. Any thoughts?

Sue,

These are my initial thoughts, but I'll keep pondering and post back. First of all he'll be doing math and grammar and dictation on his level, you should also add in DITHR on his level. He'll also enjoy the extension readings with Preparing. My 7th grader just finished Preparing in December and began CTC in January. He has loved both. If you look at the guide for CTC the student does most of the work independently, what is required from you is minimal, however, every little bit of time makes a difference in my book. I do think your 7th grader could do CTC, if you start with him a week or two before you begin with everyone else so you can teach him how to use the guide. However, since you are just bringing him home that might sound HUGE, so then I would go with Preparing. Either way he and you will be fine. In the event you do go with Preparing the amount of "beefing it up" would be minimal.

[LynnH]

Sue,
I can't help much as far as placement since I have a 5th grader just finishing Preparing. However as for when new guides come out, Carrie's plan is to release a new one each year. She released CTC this past August, the RTR guide will be ready this August and the next guide will be released next August.

[Sue G in PA]

Good news about the new guide being released next August! And thanks for all the suggestions. Ds12 has been homeschooled before...since 1st grade...and just went back to ps this past year as a "trial". He does love it but we have noticed a lot of negative changes in his personality. So have his church friends In any case, we have a LOT of praying to do b/c when I had all 7 kids home, I was not doing well with it. My dh is very concerned about my mental health having them all home again and I am, too. Plus, my kids don't get along all that well and it can get heated very quickly. It's just a shame b/c I so want my kids to all be home. I really, really want this to work. I'm off to look at CtC more thoroughly now and perhaps see if he CAN do this independently. And if not...Preparing would be fine for him I guess! That's if he even comes home...

[deltagal]

My dh is very concerned about my mental health having them all home again and I am, too. Plus, my kids don't get along all that well and it can get heated very quickly.

Sue,

I'm praying for you.

[Sue G in PA]

Thanks, Florence. I appreciate and covet all prayers.

[Carrie]

Sue,

The ladies are doing a terrific job of talking through your options with you. If you do decide to go with Preparing Hearts for your 7th grader, here are a couple of links which may help you beef that up. Link: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=1458

Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3285

My response in this thread, may also be of some help to you as you ponder: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5686

If you instead decide to go the CTC route with your oldest then you'd likely want to implement the ladies suggestions to train your oldest and begin him first to get him underway successfully.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Sue G in PA]

Carrie, thank you so much for your reply. I was hoping you would chime in after Convention was over! I have decided to use Preparing with my 7th grader and am looking forward to reading the threads you mentioned to see what I can do to beef it up for him. I didn't want to try and do 3 HOD guides at once for my first year with HOD. I don't think my ds12 is ready to use CTC independently right now and I have to do enough "hand holding" with my ds9, ds7 and dd5. I am so looking forward to next year. My heart tells me that HOD is the answer to my prayers.

[Carrie]

Sue,

I agree that combining your kiddos within 2 HOD guides is a good idea! We typically advise large families to begin with two HOD guides as they get used to the way we design our programs and the layout of our guides. I see LHFHG (with some adjustments) and Preparing Hearts (with some adjustments) being the best fit for your family, based on what you've shared so far.

Blessings,
Carrie