CTC for a 7th grader

[Joyful3]

Hi ladies,

A homeschooling friend mentioned she was using Heart of Dakota this year. I sent for a catalog out of curiosity and loved what I saw! We have been happily using SL for a year and half but I can't wait to make the switch to HOD next year. The literature and more hands on approach are exactly what we need.

It looks like my youngest will fit solidly into Beyond next year. Our oldest will be in high school and we are not quite sure what we will be doing with him yet. Right now my biggest question is in regard to my DD who is almost 12 and in 6th grade.

A little background: we had her tested in Dec and discovered she has mild dyspraxia. The biggest ways I have seen this impact her learning are in tiring quickly in writing, legible handwriting (I will begin to require everything be in cursive this next semester because it is more readable), spelling, sequential thinking, solving word problems in math, and answering comprehension questions. In terms of comprehension, the real issue is not that she doesn't understand but that she needs more support in learning how to find the answer to a question and state it in an understandable way. I think narration would be good for her but difficult at first.

Last year we studied the Eastern Hemisphere and this year we are doing American History using SL so she has never had any world history beyond some brief introductions in the middle elementary grades. I would like (no, love!) to start her in CTC as she also loves learning about Egypt but has never studied that time period. I have looked at it a LOT, and it seems like it would be a good fit if I used the extension package.

We are using MUS and will continue as that seems to be a good fit, and have been using IEW for writing the past two years. Today I looked at Write with the Best and I think it would be a nice change of pace for her with some new concepts in writing. She is excelling with the grammar program we are using so I would most likely stick with that. Science would be a pretty big repeat of what we have already done but I would be comfortable substituting our own thing, maybe plug in the History of Medicine and Galen books when they fit. I wish I could do Carrie's science plans but maybe that would work when we get to RTR.

I have given this quite a bit of thought and prayer, and have been back and forth between using CTC and RTR because I think she could go up a guide in terms of skill but it may be a bit more difficult for her to manage some of the things on her own. Her skills are so splintered that the placement chart is not showing me a clear picture. So, I keep coming back to CTC. I've looked at the week at a glance for both guides. Does it sound like this is a good place to start her, especially as we ease into a more CM approach with her mild learning issues? I realize we still have half a year to go, but always seem to be thinking through the next school year about this time.

Another question I've had as we think this through is how to get her a good exposure to world history. I will definitely be homeschooling her through 8th grade but have made no decisions about high school yet and won't for some time. Our current curriculum does world history in 2 years but I love the HOD approach and how we will spend more time digging deep and doing hands on activities. I think that will be a real blessing to this child especially.

[my3sons]

Hi Joyful3, and welcome to the HOD Board! It was neat to read about your dc - your love for them shines through in your description. From what you have shared, I think CTC sounds like a great placement for your dd. It is truly a wonderful guide! I think the two of you will really enjoy it. The extensions will extend the history nicely, and it sounds like you have the math and grammar figured out already. You will love WWTB! It is such a good writing program. CTC also does an awesome job of teaching solid CM skills from the start. DITHOR will be a good way to teach reading, and has many levels to choose from. Some families choose to have dc do RTR's science with CTC if they have an older student. If you did this, you would need the RTR guide and science package. HTH, and I think you will love HOD, both Beyond Little Hearts and CTC (and even the high school geography guide should you choose to do that for your oldest)! Oh, and for world history, you could read through something on the fifth day of the week, maybe "Child's History of the World"? You can omit the first several chapters, as HOD does when it schedules CHOW in PHFHG.

In Christ,
Julie

[Joyful3]

Thanks so much for the welcome. I have been reading posts for some time and am blessed by what I see on this board.

I have thought about going ahead with the science in RTR. I think my dd would love the topics covered. Perhaps the Lord will make a way for that to happen.

I love the idea of using the fifth day to read through world history together. What a great idea! That is why I am here asking questions. I love the creativity God has given you. It helps so much.

I have greatly appreciated what I see in the HOD approach to history in the early elementary years. The Beyond guide is sitting on my shelf right now until we can start!

Yes, I am contemplating the geography guide for the oldest. There is so much to consider for him and the next few months are crucial.

The journey that brought us to homeschooling has been a tough one but full of sweet rewards. We are blessed to be here and to be carefully considering HOD.