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Thank you all for being so kind as to answering my question. Here's my latest

I hope to use CtC with my older children next school year. Their ages will be 11ds, 12ds and 13dd. My question is with my younger students ds8 and ds9 (this ds will turn 10 three months into the school year). If I read all the Bible, History, Science ets. to these two and use another LA program (believe me I have plenty) do you all think it will be doable to use CtC with all five children?

Or should I go ahead and try to use two guides (I know many of you use two or more)? If so I am thinking Bigger Hearts for His Glory may work.

To give a little background with my children with where they are at in LA.
Ethan, is currently using Writing With Ease 1 and hopefully will start 2. This includes narration and copywork. All About Spelling for spelling and Rod and Staff Grammar 3 (will start this in Jan.). For reading he is using WinterPromise LA.

Lance, is currently using WWE1 (narrations only) he is not ready for copywork. All About Reading for Phonics instruction and All About Spelling for spelling.

If I go with HOD BHFHG then I would only continue to use AAS and AAR for Lance and use HOD for the rest.

With Ethan I'd continue to use AAR and R&S Grammar and use HOD for the rest. Would BHFHG be enough LA's for him?

Brent and Caleb are currently using Writing with Ease 2 and will move onto 3 (this includes narration and copywork), Simply Spelling for study dictation, All About Spelling this is used more to help with reading as well as spelling and Shurley English. If using CtC I'd drop all but AAS and Shurley English and go with HOD for the rest.

Annette, is very independent, no worries there

I would really like to use only one guide but I am open to trying two if I can drop most everything else. What makes things so hard are my two middle boys who are late readers.

I think that you would be wise to do two different guides. I think you will be very happy with your decision to properly place the children as opposed to trying to make them fit.

Bigger sounds like it would be a good choice. If your almost 10 year old is a strong enough reader (I am not sure which ones you said are not strong readers), you could give him the extension books to read. As far as the LA being enough ... you can tailor that to fit the child. You can continue with the Rod and Staff 3 and move on to 4 whenever he is ready. With the younger one you can place him in the proper grammar for his age. Getting them properly placed is key to the ease of use of HOD.

I am currently running Preparing, Beyond, and a modified Little Hearts. I could probably try to combine a couple of them ... but I love the progression of HOD so much and how it properly prepares them from one guide to the next that I find I don't want to combine. If you find that your younger two both fit well into Bigger then I would definitely put them in Bigger and your older ones in CtC. Bigger will prepare them so nicely for the next guide ... which I think is my favorite so far ... Preparing Hearts! I cannot imagine skipping that guide. It is fantastic! Placement is key!

Thank you Larissa, with regards to Ethan and it being enough LA's I guess I am wondering about writing. He will be 10 for most of the school year and I'm wondering if there will be enough writing. I need to look at the samples again. I'm wondering if I am still writing their narrations and such.

I also agree that I should place them correctly and not try to fit them into a guide that they are not ready to use. The more I research and read the more I realize that HOD is more than a history, Bible and science program. It meets the child where they are at as well in other areas.

Can anyone comment on the narrations, copywork, dictation and spelling? Maybe give me a peek into your week in this area. I did look at the samples but there are no samples of the dictation passages and such.

Thank you,
Linda<><

Linda,

Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your kiddos! I agree with the ladies' wise advice that it is good to think of figuring out where your kiddos place best first alone and then looking at possible combining scenarios next.

You shared that a couple of your boys are late readers. I wasn't sure which two kiddos you were referring to (as this will make a difference in our placement advice). If you get a chance to pop back and share which two these are and also share a few titles they are currently reading (or give us an idea of where they're at reading-wise) that will help so much.

Next, if you get a chance to share where each of your kiddos fit by himself/herself on only the first page of the placement chart, then we can be more solid in our placement recommendations. Another thing I'm wondering is whether your older kiddos have ever done their own science and history reading? I ask because CTC will require them to do this, as well as reading and following quite a list of written directions each day. This is another area of consideration to be sure kiddos are correctly placed once they get to CTC on up. The readings are not easy and do require a good reader.

We'll look forward to hearing back from you when you get a chance.

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi, Carrie,

I copied and pasted what you wrote and answered below. I didn't put where they are in math because I will keep what they are currently using. Also keep in mind they will be a year older (this is for next school year) I know it's a bit early for me to decide.
Another idea that I was thinking about is placing my two younger ones Ethan and Lance and starting with them first (in Jan). Then next school year add the three older ones.

Linda,

Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your kiddos! I agree with the ladies' wise advice that it is good to think of figuring out where your kiddos place best first alone and then looking at possible combining scenarios next.

You shared that a couple of your boys are late readers. I wasn't sure which two kiddos you were referring to (as this will make a difference in our placement advice). If you get a chance to pop back and share which two these are and also share a few titles they are currently reading (or give us an idea of where they're at reading-wise) that will help so much. My two late readers are Caleb 10 and Brent 9 (who will be 11 and 10 when we start HOD next school year). They both read at low 4th grade level. They have completed a phonics program but it's just taking longer. Right now we are using All About Spelling. This program reinforces all those phonics rules, so I'm praying it will boost their reading level.

Next, if you get a chance to share where each of your kiddos fit by himself/herself on only the first page of the placement chart, then we can be more solid in our placement recommendations. Okay, here it goes I'll start with my youngest.
Lance 7yrs. is still learning to read, he can form his letter but does not stay on the lines when using lined paper. I tried having him do copywork but it didn't work out. I do have him narrate what I read from him (read aloud or Bible story). Has had no grammar instruction yet.

Ethan 8yrs. Does copywork, narration, just started All About Spelling level 1, still reading early readers, will start R&S grammar in Jan.

Brent 10yr. Does copywor 3xweek, studied dictation via Simply Spelling, also using All About Spelling level 2 almost done will start level 3, for writing he narrates back to me and sometimes will copy what he narrated, reads at a low 4th grade level, although I did have him read a few paragraphs from The Story of the Ancient World (sample chapter) and he actually did quite well. He missed words like accepted and whatever. He is also using Shurley Grammar level 3.

Caleb 11, is doing the same as Brent in all areas (except math). I teach them together in all subjects (again, except math).

Annette 12, copywork 3x a week, using Analytical Grammar, Writing With Ease 3 (narrates back) does dictation via Writing With Ease and is a very strong reader.

Another thing I'm wondering is whether your older kiddos have ever done their own science and history reading? The only one who has done science and history on their own is my dd Annette. I ask because CTC will require them to do this, as well as reading and following quite a list of written directions each day. This is another area of consideration to be sure kiddos are correctly placed once they get to CTC on up. The readings are not easy and do require a good reader.

We'll look forward to hearing back from you when you get a chance.

Based on what you said, I would think Beyond Little Hearts would work for the two youngest, using a reading program, handwriting program (instead of copywork), and the weekly gentle grammar instruction that is included in Beyond for Lance and using the emerging readers, copywork, and Rod & Staff Grammar with Ethan. Brent and Caleb may be ready for Preparing Hearts based on where they are with reading and writing. Lastly, it seems as though your oldest, Annette, could possibly handle CTC, but another option would be to combine her with Brent and Caleb and add the Extensions for her-then you would only have two guides instead of three.

Annette,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share more about your kiddos. Based on what you've shared, I would agree with Lourdes wise placement advice. I think that Lance and Ethan would fit well in Beyond. Lance would continue with phonics, possibly use A Reason for Writing 'A' in place of the copywork, if he still needs help with this (or he could do just one line of copywork each day). He would also use spelling list 1 in Beyond. Ethan would use spelling list 2, do the Emerging Reader's Set, and do longer copywork from Beyond. Both could do the gentle grammar lessons in Beyond, and you could wait to do English 2 with both of them the following year when they head into Bigger Hearts then. Or, you could have Lance do the gentle grammar lessons in Beyond and add English 2 for Ethan instead, just doing a lesson a day.

As far as Caleb and Brent go, I would definitely place both in Preparing Hearts. It will fit them much better in all skill areas and will give them the transition to independence and strengthening of reading skills that will be so necessary as they progress into the upper levels of HOD. If you desire to keep Annette with her two younger brothers, then she could do Preparing Hearts with Extensions. If you desire for her to have her own program and placement, then CTC would work for her. Either option will work. I would have Brent and Caleb do the Deluxe Package (which will be their own reading for history) in Preparing Hearts. If Annette does Preparing, then she would use the Extension Package. All kiddos in Preparing Hearts also read their own science and practice following directions right from the guide. You would continue to read the history aloud to the boys, but Annette could read the history to herself instead if desired in Preparing Hearts. Otherwise, she could do CTC instead of Preparing.

Another important component will be DITHR. You will definitely want Brent and Caleb to do DITHR. This will help so much with their reading skills and will be key in helping them move forward in this area. Doing Preparing Hearts will give you the needed time to spend on DITHR too. The two boys would likely use Level 2/3 or 4/5 of DITHR, depending on how much formal literature instruction they have had in the past, how much they like to write, and how independent they are ready to be in this area. They could use either level with either the Level 3 or Level 4/5 Book Set. Annette could use Level 4/5 or 6/7/8 of DITHR (depending on how much formal literature instruction she has had in the past) with whichever book set you felt fit her best. Perhaps Level 5/6 or Level 6/7?

If you have other questions, ask away. We love to help one another.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you ladies, I do appreciate all your help. I'm really excited. I would like to start Ethan and Lance in January and I'll take your advice with using Beyond and adding R&S Grammar 2. I do have a few more questions but I'm visiting my ds in GA right now.

With Caleb and Brent, what can I do with them right now to get them ready for CtC in the fall? Preparing looks wonderful and I already own most the books but if I can I really would like for them to to start with CtC. Caleb will be in the 6th grade and I would really like him to use the two guides that come after CtC before high school. The reason being is my dh may want them to use Bob Jones for high school (although things can change ). Also, let me take a look and see what I don't have for Preparing . I don't really want to switch them in the middle of the year but again, I'm going to take a peek at Preparing again.

I know Annette, can handle CtC as she already does most of her work on her own. I'll wait till next school year though as she is enjoying her history and science this year.

Well, I'm sure I'll be back to ask a few more questions. Again, thank you so much.

A side note, the children do love books. In the past I use to read at least 2hrs a day although with my itchy through from allergies I can no longer read so much, now they listen to lots of audio books. Not sure if that makes any difference.

Blessings,
Linda<><

Just bumping up

Linda,

Thanks for your patience! Even if you won't be starting for awhile, I'd still lean toward Preparing Hearts for your two boys for a start. Your oldest daughter could either join them in Preparing or could do CTC. The growth in skills will truly come from doing Preparing Hearts and DITHR. Both will be so important for your sons and will really prepare them for the rigor that is within CTC. Is there any way you could just start the boys in Preparing earlier and wait with your other kiddos? We have high school students using CTC, with some additions, so it is by no means a program to jump into too quickly.

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie, if I start my two middle boys (Caleb 11 and Brent 10) would I need the extension pack? I'm wondering because they are the two that are not strong readers. Caleb can read Old Yeller on his own but slow. I'm working with them of course and am trying to make time for them to read out loud to me.

Also, they are using Shurley English 3 this year (minus the writin portion) would they go right into R&S 4? Also if I decide to continue to use Shurley English (kids really like the jingles) would it stil flow with HOD?

Thank you so much!
Linda<><

Carrie wrote:Linda,

Thanks for your patience! Even if you won't be starting for awhile, I'd still lean toward Preparing Hearts for your two boys for a start. Your oldest daughter could either join them in Preparing or could do CTC. The growth in skills will truly come from doing Preparing Hearts and DITHR. Both will be so important for your sons and will really prepare them for the rigor that is within CTC. Is there any way you could just start the boys in Preparing earlier and wait with your other kiddos? We have high school students using CTC, with some additions, so it is by no means a program to jump into too quickly.

Blessings,
Carrie

Linda,

I think I'd start without the Extension Pack so as not to overwhelm them in the area of reading, but I would do DITHR with both of them as that skill-building will be so important. If you don't do the Extension Pack though, you'll need to do the Deluxe Package, as you'll need either the Deluxe or the Extension. You can look at both the Deluxe and the Extension to see which you really think would fit them best. I'd lean toward making DITHR the challenging reading and making the Deluxe the easier reading.

You can easily stay with Shurley English if desired. Just be sure it doesn't take much more time than we're planning for English, or you day may get longer in that area than we'd like. We plan about 15-20 min. a day for English in Preparing Hearts (doing much of it orally). Eventually, you may want to consider Rod and Staff for English, as it covers so much more than just grammar and does include writing instruction that we're planning for kiddos to have.

You should be able to go into Rod and Staff 4 after Shurley 3, although the actual diagramming may take a little getting used to doing. If you did desire to follow the plans in Preparing Hearts, then you could make the switch to Rod and Staff now. Both English 3 and English 4 are scheduled in Preparing Hearts. If you decided to stay with Shurley, just so you know for the future the first half of English 4 and the first half of English 5 are scheduled in CTC (with the last half of 4 and the last half of 5 being scheduled in RTR to allow for heavier writing instruction in both CTC and RTR).

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you so much Carrie for taking the time to answer my questions.