Can I skip Preparing?

[Momma6pack]

Hi all,

We are about to start Bigger with my 9 and 7 year olds and by the time we're finished I'll have kids aged: 10 1/2, 8 1/2, 6 1/2, 5, 4 and 2. We've used the CM method pretty well throughout my oldest's schooling (she's currently 4th grader) but she needs a lot of work on narrations. We were already working through American History which is why I chose Bigger (plus she needs to work on her narration skills) but I don't want to put her too far behind in other areas (we're already doing R&S English 4 with no problems). So my thought was to skip Preparing next year for her and move her right into CTC. Would this be a problem? Would she miss mandatory skills? Otherwise she'll be 1/2 way through 6th grade before we get to CTC.

All thoughts would be appreciated!
Caryn

[blessedmomof4]

As you may see on previous threads here, with HOD the important thing is the steady progression of skills year by year, not at what age/grade your child reaches a particular guide. My girls are in 6th and 7th grade (ages 11 and 13) and will be starting CTC in May. We will take a summer break and they will be done when they are in 7th and 8th, ages 12 and 14. But this is where they belong skillwise. Your daughter would be missing a whole year of written narration skills. Preparing develops that so beautifully. Also, there is a LOT of independent work in CTC that Preparing Hearts will prepare her to do. Besides, it is a fun year! I wouldn't skip Preparing.

[arstephia]

My almost 11yo is doing Preparing with extensions and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has been FANTASTIC. I have CTC now and can see that it will be a big jump so I am glad we have the foundation of Preparing for the narrations, reading load, independent work, etc. Don't get hung up on ages. Preparing does a great job of preparing (LOL) for the upper level guides. Don't miss it!

[Tree House Academy]

I would not skip preparing. My understanding is that it is very critical to do the guides in order and without skipping during the early years of HOD. My older son placed in Preparing last year and I used Bigger with extensions instead. It didn't work out for him - extensions gave him too much work and he was bogged down, but the guide as written was not enough for him as a 5th grader. We dropped it and did text-book american History for the rest of the year. This year, I looked at the placement chart again and placed him where he FIT - which was CTC. This year has been wonderful!

All that to say that my advice is to place your child where she is right now and then go through the guides in order without skipping any. For me, the key to learning is establishing that firm foundation. If you skip ahead and try to stay "on grade level" at all times, you will create "gaps" and that foundation for learning will be flawed. I'd much rather take my kids through at their own pace and have them get that foundation!

[Momma6pack]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies. Now I'm REALLY struggling though....by the placement chart my oldest should probably be in Preparing NOW...the only area she is weak in is narrating - which would be improved over the course of the year. The big problem? My husband lost his job 6 months ago and we are staying with family in Illinois while he looks for employment (he's a pastor). We own a home in Iowa where the majority of our belongings are being stored (in an extra garage) while we wait for the home to sell. I own a number of the books for Preparing but they are packed in the middle of a VERY full garage in Iowa.....which is about 8 hours away from where we are now. Since DH is not working I can't order the remaining new books anyway....so I went with Bigger + extension pack since we have almost all of those books here right now. But now I'm thinking that it really won't be challenging enough for my oldest. We were doing Ambleside Year 4 which was too challenging on the reading (ex: she's currently been trying to read Poor Richard which is scheduled now in AO but is on the Rev2Rev expansion reading list for 8th and 9th graders - we're also reading Robinson Crusoe unabridged......which is a great story but slow going, enormous vocabulary and I think she's missing all the deep theological concepts....she's just too young). She's struggled with narrating but I think it's because the content of the book selections she has currently is just over her head - not because she can't narrate at all. She's only 9. Sigh.....What do I do????

[Gwenny]

Use what you already have. God will use it. There is a ton that she will get out of Bigger, it's more meaty than it seems. Also, something you said, "she's only 9", yes, those books are too challenging, but also remember, she's only 9. Since she's your oldest, she probably seems "old" to you. School doesn't always have to be challenging and difficult, it seems like she could use a break, especially with all of the stuff you all are going through. I enjoy doing things that are more fun and are "on my level", not necessarily difficult and challenging. Plus, you could combine and that will help everyone.

Just a thought.
Nancy

[Momma6pack]

Thanks Nancy! Just the sort of level-headed advice I needed!
Blessings,
Caryn

[blessedmomof4]

Oh dear, yes, with all you have going on, absolutely use what you have! She IS only 9, which is still in the age range for Bigger, and she will learn a lot in Bigger and will blossom in all those skills using books that are NOT over her head