question about independent work in CTC

[tbarr12]

I have looked closely at CTC, and have pretty much decided on CTC for my oldest 2 (9 & 11 next year, 4th and 5th grades). I did notice that it appears that a lot of CTC is independent work. My 9 yo son will probably have to grow into that - he is on the young side for his grade, very smart, but I think still needs to build his confidence in working alone. Is that okay - i.e., will he be okay in CTC? I would guess that it's assumed that this is a skill they grow into, correct? Other than that question, I think this curriculum looks like a good fit in many ways. Thanks.

[mamas4loves]

I do think that some kids are natural independent workers and others need to 'learn' how to work independently. And it is wonderful that we mamas have the opportunity to ease our kids into that! HOD is very thorough in its explanations. I took time this year to teach my oldest dd how to thoroughly use the guide so she could be independent. It made for longer days at the beginning of the school year but paid off in the long run. Pick an independent box that you feel your son would be the most successful, the most quickly with to begin training him to work independently. Kids love and need to feel successful. Then move to another box. If he is really sciencey then start with that one. Or if he loves history start with the Independent History Study Box. Take it from my bad experience: I just gave my oldest dd the guide for science when we did Preparing without teaching her to complete the assignment independently and it has taken all of last year and this year for her not to fear science. Talk about regretting that decision on my part.

Hope this helps! And have fun with CTC. It was very interesting!--I learned quite a bit as well as my dd.

Jess

[tbarr12]

Okay, I have another question, which I hope someone will answer. As I looked at the one-week sample today, it looked like LOTS of stuff is independent - that is, that they do Science on their own, some History, etc. This made me kind of sad. I so enjoy reading with the kids, and learning together. Is that sacrificed in HOD for the sake of them learning to do more work on their own? Clearly there is something enjoyable about these programs, as most people on these boards are so enthusiastic about them. I'm just trying to check it out REALLY carefully before I commit. I have switched curricula many times, and don't want to make another choice that isn't right for our family. We all enjoy learning together very much. Thanks again.

[mamas4loves]

Yes, there is quite a bit of independent work, and I also love to read to my kids, but I loved the independent work because I was then able to spend good one on one time with my other children. The two boxes that are teacher directed--Bible Study (you go through Finding Our Roots and A Child's Geography) and the Storytime box were wonderful one on one reading/teaching time with my dd. I was very satisfied with that and did not feel together time is sacrificed in any way--I sensed it streamlined my teaching time and made it more deliberate. Those two teacher directed boxes prompted such wonderful discussions where I was able to imprint God's heart onto my dd heart. As for our overall experience with the Independent boxes, I felt I was learning along with my dd because she would have to either narrate to me, tell me her answers to her research questions, and complete her notebooking pages which I would then check and we would talk about. Even though my dd was doing the work independently, I was still quite involved. It was also wonderful to see her how to learn independently from me. We both sensed a lot of freedom hence making our year quite enjoyable.!

I hope this helps. We love HOD!! I will pray the Lord leads you to His plan for your family!

Jess

[GingerN]

Hello. I just purchased CtoC for my younger two daughters, and I plan to read the history stories aloud so that *I* can hear them, too. Then they can do the timeline work, etc. independently while I do a few little things around the house or work with my older daughter. I also plan to listen to the What in the World CDs along side my girls at lunch time, so that will be together, too. I believe that the independent Bible quiet time will be great for them, and I can use the independent science reading time for one daughter while working one on one with the other with math, and then they will switch. So use the plans as you feel most comfortable. I love all the 'together time', too! Blessings~
Ginger

[tbarr12]

Thanks. Your replies are very reassuring and helpful. I told myself after thinking this through that of course I can choose to do whatever I want to with the kids!!! And I do sense that my then 5th grade dd is plenty ready to take on some things herself. Thanks again so much - this is so helpful. I am continuing to sense that CTC may be the right choice for us.

[my3sons]

I have looked closely at CTC, and have pretty much decided on CTC for my oldest 2 (9 & 11 next year, 4th and 5th grades). I did notice that it appears that a lot of CTC is independent work. My 9 yo son will probably have to grow into that - he is on the young side for his grade, very smart, but I think still needs to build his confidence in working alone. Is that okay - i.e., will he be okay in CTC? I would guess that it's assumed that this is a skill they grow into, correct? Other than that question, I think this curriculum looks like a good fit in many ways. Thanks.

We did CTC last year and loved it. I was worried I'd miss reading the history out loud, but I didn't. I loved reading the history-linked Storytime, and "Genesis Finding Our Roots" and "A Child's Geography". Reading all of those history related materials kept me in tune with what my ds was studying. I just skimmed his history before his oral and written narrations, and I read the key ideas in the manual too. This helped me keep abreast of his history, while also giving him some independence. I thought he'd miss me reading the history, but he didn't. He learned a lot by reading it on his own - as CM says, once a child can read history/science well on his own, he should, as his comprehension and narration skills will improve more and more when he takes over the reading. I found that to be true. I did take the first month to teach my ds how to use the CTC manual, and the rotation of activities in the guide. Since the activities do rotate, taking time to teach each box well right off the bat pays huge dividends the rest of the year. Have you checked out the placement chart to be sure 9yo is ready for CTC? It's pretty accurate and not hard to use.
http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php

My ds was 9 1/2 when he started CTC, and he did so well with it, but he had done all of the previous HOD guides which helped prepare him, I believe. I think as long as your 9 yo seems ready for it according to the placement chart, and as long as you really help him out with learning what's expected of him in each box, he should be just fine! CTC was amazing - I learned so much myself! How I wished I'd learned history this way when I was in school - but I guess God gifted me with this learning later in life instead. It's a blessing any time. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[tbarr12]

Yes, I have looked at the placement chart several times. I feel confident he can handle CTC. As I've said in previous posts (elsewhere, I think), we just completed a one year survey of world history through SL, so I really don't want to do the previous program. CTC will be perfect for my oldest daughter, and maybe a little bit of a stretch for him, but not much, I don't think, esp. since there are a few levels of dictation I can use. He is a great reader. I'm still debating on the best level of DITHOR to use for him, since we've never done it before.

[my3sons]

Well, CTC sounds like a fit then! As far as DITHOR, you may want to do the Level 2/3 Student Book and plans with him first, but choose whatever level of books seem to best fit his reading level. It helped both of our dc to ease into DITHOR, even though they were strong readers. The level 2/3 has less writing and a little more together time with mom, which was helpful to our kiddos starting out, but you'll know what fits your 9 yo best!

In Christ,
Julie