Need help deciding between Preparing and RTR

[Willow Tree Academy]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Erika and I have 3 children, two girls and a boy. We have
homeschooled the entire time, mostly with MFW. I posted previously about combining my girls in LHFHG and now I have another question.

We are kind of at a crossroads in our homeschooling. I have had a lot of stress
lately and need a change.

After many talks with my husband we have decided to go with HOD. I posted on
the forum about combining my girls 4 and 5 in LHFHG, and I think it will be a
good place to start with my girls. I was going to continue MFW with my son, he
has really excelled with the program...and I have loved most of our time (did
not like K, or 1st very much) with MFW. Although, I must admit I think we were
getting a bit bored with CTG toward the end.

Now I am feeling lead to change things up for my 11yr old son. (Am I
crazy???!!!)

However, I am not sure where to place him. He is an amazing reader and reads
way above level, his nose is always stuck in a book. We use MUS and he rarely
has any errors in math. We finished Creation to Greeks 2 years ago. Then last
year some terrible events happened in my family, and by the beginning of this
year I had lost 3 family members in a row. So other than math and reading, we
haven't really schooled in a year.

So, I was thinking of going straight into RTR with him, but then started to look
at Preparing with the extensions. Other than maybe grammar I would say he is
advanced (but since we have been using PLL and ILL, I am not really sure he
isn't up to standard in grammar)

I thought it might be fun to ease back into school with a survey of the world
history in Preparing, instead of a drawn out study on a paticular period of history. I
don't know if it makes sense to do that and then do CTC with him (it will then
be 3 yrs since we did CTG/MFW). Or would it be better to place him in RTR??

Any HOD moms willing to give their opinions??? And thanks for reading my
rambling post.

[my3sons]

No, you're not crazy, you're inspired! I don't think you are rambling at all. Very helpful thoughts here. It sounds like he is a great reader - good job, mom! Has he been reading his own history, science, etc.? If not, how would he do with that would you say (comprehension-wise, and responsibility-wise)? And what if the history/science books are pretty meaty, pretty classical/CM-like sounding? I am also wondering about where he falls in the writing category? Also, how does he do with independent work and following directions? One more question, is he familiar with Charlotte Mason style skills of oral narrations/written narrations/dictation/copywork, and if so, how does he do with those things? It sounds like he is doing well with grammar and could go into whichever level you think he'd do well with - I'm thinking either R & S English 4, or maybe 5? He can stick with MUS and that will work just fine. Do you think you could take one more peek at the placement chart, try to throw out the history time period hard as that is to do, and give where you think he places best according to the first page only of the placement chart? I think that would help us try to give better advice. Also, if you could share a little about each of the questions I mentioned too when you get the chance? That would help us help more I think. After you share a little more, I will be glad to give a comparison of the 2 choices you are down to, and we can chat more details that way to help figure out what's best. I think you'd love doing HOD with your ds! He would probably dive right in and thrive with it - but placement is a good thing to take a little time figuring out. You're set for your 4 and 5 yo, now we'll just figure out your 11 yo, and you will be set for smooth sailing! I'll check back to see what you've shared and be glad to help!

In Christ,
Julie

P.S. I just reread your post and saw the mention you had recently lost 3 loved ones. I am so very sorry, and may the Lord be with you - by your side - being your Comforter and your Father, through all of this. I have also prayed this for you.
Love in Christ,
Julie

[Willow Tree Academy]

Hi,
Thank you so much for your response. Let's see if I can answer your questions.

Has he been reading his own history, science, etc.? If not, how would he do with that would you say (comprehension-wise, and responsibility-wise)? And what if the history/science books are pretty meaty, pretty classical/CM-like sounding?

He has been reading his own science and history, and I think comprehension is pretty good, but he also reads quickly so he may rush through assigned reading at times. He is pretty responsible, will obey and do school without complaining, but I do have to check on him because he gets distracted in his own thoughts and wastes quite a bit of time in la-la land if I don't check up on him. But he does complete most assignments independently. I think he would be able to read meaty books, but I would probably need to pace him so he slowed down to digest what he was reading. He reads books like Redwall in a few hours. He has read many of the Creation to Greek books from MFW independently. And I try to find CM type books at the library to supplement. I can't keep the kid in books. I have to set limits on how many he can read in a day. I know it is a nice problem to have

I am also wondering about where he falls in the writing category?

We have been using WriteShop Primary for his writing. He has had a long struggle with the physical act of writing so we have done a lot of things orally. He can write a one page story with paragraphs and he is just learning to edit his own work.

One more question, is he familiar with Charlotte Mason style skills of oral narrations/written narrations/dictation/copywork, and if so, how does he do with those things?

We have been using Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons. He is half way through ILL. He is familiar with oral/written narration, dictation, and copywork. I am not sure if we should continue with ILL or switch to R&S. And if we finished Ill, what we would do next? We used abeka when we first started hsing and it was not a good fit for us, so has me a bit concerned about introducing textbooks back in to our hs.

I looked at the placement chart again, and am leaning toward Preparing instead of RTR. I think he has met a few of the areas in CTC, but I REALLY don't want to cover that in depth again so soon after completing Creation to the Greeks with MFW. AND I am worried about jumping into school after taking a year off. I want him to be challenged, but not overwhelmed, he is also really struggling with the death of my father. My dad lived with us for a long time and they were very, very close. I want to ease him back into things, KWIM? I also spoke with Mike, and after talking with him I am thinking Preparing might be a good fit, I just am not sure about the reading.

I am also a bit confused about where to start him in DITHOR. He reads so well, but has never done a formal literature study.

[Carrie]

Erika,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share about your son. It really helps so much for us as we're working to find the best fit for your family. From what you've shared so far, I would definitely lean toward placing your son in CTC. I know you shared that this was the time period you'd just completed before this past year, and so I can understand your desire to move to a different time period. But, I'll also share that placement in HOD is based on developmental skill level, much more than history cycle. So, if there is any way you can set aside the history cycle in your own mind, and truly just look at where your child fits best in HOD skill-wise, you'll find that you will have a much better fit, hence much better days for the long haul!

While you could definitely do Preparing Hearts, if you desire, one thing to consider is that you will then be back to the CTC time period the following year. At that point, you may be inclined to skip past it to RTR, and the jump between Preparing and RTR is very large with much of the training for RTR in CTC. With this in mind, it is actually a good idea to really ponder the best fit for your son in all areas, history cycle aside and see what you think.

As far as CTC goes, the writing done in Write with the Best sounds perfect for your son, as well as the grammar lessons done only twice weekly through Rod and Staff. The science in CTC also sounds like it will be a much better fit, reading-level wise and skill-level wise. The independent history and science readings as scheduled in CTC will also do so much to move your son toward independence, while still training and guiding in many skills. Honestly, the books in CTC that are used as spines do not overlap with what you've done in the past. It is likely that only a handful of the the read-alouds do either. Since your son is 11, if you did CTC you could forego the Extension Package, unless you desired for him to do some of it on the side (as the extension range is for ages 12-13). I think the overall assignments and notebooking in CTC would be a better fit for your son too, and the bonus is he'd be wonderfully placed for each coming year should you decide to stay with HOD.

Overall from everything you've shared about your son, CTC would fit him to a tee and Preparing Hearts could fit him fairly well but may feel light in some areas. If you get a chance to take one more good look at the placement chart, and really ponder where your son fits on only the first page (all history cycle thoughts aside) that will help so much. Then, take a good look at the books used within CTC and see what they entail. CTC is a different program than any other ancients program out there, so it will feel very different from anything you've done. When we changed curriculums years ago with my own oldest son, we had to redo a time period we had just done the year before. I was completely opposed to this idea, but gradually came around to it as I realized for the first time in that moment that the skills were more important than the history cycle... and I'd let the history cycle run my curriculum decisions. When I let go of that, I found freedom, peace, and the right fit for my son. My situation may be very different from yours, and you may choose to go a completely different route, but I thought I'd share as it may help you as you ponder.

Feel free to share your thoughts, as you know your family and your son far better than I do!

Blessings,
Carrie

[Willow Tree Academy]

Hi Carrie,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply.

After looking at the placement chart I do agree that Andrew would be a good fit for CTC. I didn't even really consider it since it was the same history cycle we just completed 2 yrs ago. I am very excited about starting again because I have always loved homeschooling. And I missed a lot of Creation to the Greeks being so busy with my Daddy. I know I would have fun going over it again, and I checked the books and it looked like there was only 1 read aloud/reader that was the same as MFW. So most of it will be new for Andrew.

A friend gave me Rod and Staff 3. Do you think that would work to start out on R&S, or should we do level 4. He is about half way through Intermediate Language Lessons with Emma Serl.

Last question, what level of DITHOR do you suggest?

I was hoping to talk to you, Carrie, at the Arlington, TX homeschool convention, but I am working for another vendor and I am not sure how much downtime I will have, so I am going to purchase everything online and want to make sure I am choosing the right materials.

-Erika

[my3sons]

Erika - thank you so much for answering my questions, and I arrived at the same conclusion Carrie and you did... CTC is going to fit your ds like a glove. As far as R & S English, Level 4 will be a good placement. This is scheduled half-speed in CTC, which will be an excellent pacing for your ds. For DITHOR, he can do Level 4/5 as far as the DITHOR plans and DITHOR Student book, but you can choose whichever level of books you think fits him best, such as Boy Interest 4/5, OR Boy Interest 5/6. I think you have a great plan coming together here -hooray! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Erika,

I'm so glad that a plan is coming together! I would lean toward Rod and Staff 4, since only the first half is done in CTC (alternating days to allow your son to do Write with the Best for writing). He would finish the last half of Rod and Staff in RTR.

Your son could do DITHR Level 4/5 or Level 6/7/8, depending on how much literature study he has had in the past. If he hasn't had much in the way of formal lit. study, I would lean toward a year of DITHR 4/5 with higher level books for him to read. If he has had formal lit. study, then he could Level 6/7/8 instead.

Blessings,
Carrie