Mom of 7 in TX wrote:...Although im adding their own Math and LA they wont be doing the Math or LA in HOD so i dont think it'll be too much?
Well, honestly, I think "too much" is often in regard to time. If the time dc are doing school is kept to a manageable amount, and if dc are appropriately placed and can truly do the work asked of them, then it won't be too much IMO.
So, what is too much time? It depends on the age somewhat, but I also think we need to be careful that just because dc are older, we don't overburden their days with too much school. Even though they are capable of the work, too much doesn't allow enough extra time for other important things - work in the form of chores, play in the form of figuring out a future vocation, exercise and time outdoors, and free time to rest and do a few things just for fun.
CTC takes about 4 to 4 1/2 hours to do, but that's with HOD's LA/math choices. Here's a link with the time allotments suggested for each box...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3765
You can see how long each thing takes at the above link. If your LA/math takes longer, then you just know the day will be longer. I can see different math choices working fine, provided the time is kept similar, but for LA, I'd encourage you to consider HOD's choices, as they are excellent and not heavy on time either.
Many CM LA skills are planned right within the history, science, and storytime boxes as well. I have been amazed at the progress our dc have made with LA skills done through HOD. Oral narrations, written narrations, dictation, copywork - all of those things sound so good, but until I used HOD I was left kind of unsure how to move dc along in those skills. I think the key to HOD's success with these skills is that HOD moves dc along in these skills incrementally from year to year, from guide to guide. The checklists of skills dc move through in the Appendix of the guides is priceless. It is what makes dc take skills like editing well and put those into their own writing on a daily basis. It also makes less checking for Mom.
R & S English partners well with this, as organized clear writing is taught in a step-by-step manner, and grammar is taught not as a separate entity, but rather for the purpose of teaching good writing as well.
HOD's ideas to do 2/3 of it orally, to finish Level 6 by the end of Grade 8, to finish Level 8 by the end of Grade 12 (Levels 7 and 8 are credit worthy), and to do some years half-speed in the guides all work together to make doing R & S English through the years manageable.
The creative writing program "WWTB" is an outstanding writing program as well - we loved it! My ds grew so much in his writing that year. The dictation is fluid, and builds upon itself year after year in a purposeful manner that really does move dc along in their spelling skills year to year. My ds has gone from being a below average speller to being at an advanced level. Four years of dictation have made a world of difference in his spelling, along with copywork and all the other LA skills in HOD. So - all this to say - maybe consider some of the LA choices in HOD - if not this year, maybe another.
Back to the time consideration - I'd say a goal of not exceeding 5 hours is a good goal to have. I'm planning on trying to stick to that with our dc all the way through, as I think it will help keep them in balance. I hope something here has helped!
In Christ,
Julie
But i want to make sure its worth a credit? She wants to go to an Ivy League School 
) 