Can I get input on my options?

[SMiles]

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for taking a look at my ponderings and offering your opinions. I appreciate the help and suggestions!

We used Beyond with my dd and ds combined a few years ago. Then we skipped Bigger and Preparing for different reasons. Fast forward and I found CTC and really wanted to use it, but I was still unclear as to the philosophy of HOD, skill placement, etc. So we used it together (4th & 6th) until Unit 21 or so when Carrie announced she was writing through high school. I had by this time realized the beauty behind the skills levels and the independence that Carrie was slowly building into the work. DH and I had also come to the point where we wanted to use HOD for our homeschool journey til the end. So at that time, I was given Preparing to use with dd (4th/10years old). We started that and we have been loving it. In the past month or so I have added the extensions to her work and while it takes her a bit longer to read some of the books, she is enjoying the reading and understanding the material.

My plan at the end of Preparing was to start her again in CTC where we left off (unit 21 or so). Now here is my pondering.....as I notice the workload in ds's RTR I don't think that my dd will be able to do the work by next fall which is when dd would start. Thinking back to CTC, I know she understood what I read, but I wonder if she needs to go back and work at doing the boxes for herself as written. I am not sure how she will take to doing world history again, but I want to study the placement helps again, pray and ask the Lord to show me what to do.

So, until I can sit and study the placement pages, I wanted to ask if anyone else might be in the same boat as I am with un-combining the kids. My dd turns 11 tomorrow and she is in 5th grade this year so by next spring when we use CTC she would be 11 1/2. I know that is on the older end of the guide, but I firmly believe in quality rather than quantity. My other option is to just start her in unit 21 and go from there, but I can't say I am peaceful yet about that.

Ok, thanks for any input and I am off to study the placement pages!

[deltagal]

Let us know where your child places on the placement chart. That'll be the determining factor.

[water2wine]

I uncombined one of my children with one group and ended up putting her in another group that had her completely repeating Preparing. For her that ended up being the best thing I could do. Completely different situation because we were dealing with her hitting a wall with the skill levels due to special needs, but I guess similar in realizing repeating a bit would perhaps get her more on level. I think if Preparing is fitting for your child chances are just repeating the part of CTC you did would be a good idea. It's likely in that case they did not get everything out of it they could have. And I would take a look at if she did the extension pack (either one) and if not add that back into it. If she did the lower one maybe she would be ready for the upper level just to give it a little bit more. If you are on level skill wise then you will need that buildup in the front of CTC that gets you to the middle.

I will tell you the truth that my dd was sort of resentful about repeating. I think it was also more about being grouped with her younger siblings rather than the ones closer in age. That kind of has her 2 groups below where she should be if she did not have special needs and she is well aware of that. But as soon as we got started she was loving it and even though she really does have a tremendous memory for the read alouds she still is gaining deeper understanding the second time around. It's a little different with special needs because sometimes you do have to carry them a bit but I have to say it has really been great to get into Preparing again with her. It has given her a chance to have more expected if her in a way she can feel comfortable delivering. I believe that will carry over to CTC in the future.

Not sure if I am getting everything and connecting it all but I hope that helps a bit.

[my3sons]

The ladies gave great advice here! I agree the placement chart will help. I also agree that from what you've shared, since dd is doing so well in PHFHG with extensions, just starting with Unit 1 in CTC with extensions would probably provide a smooth transition and a good building of skills. Doing the boxes independently in CTC helps dc ease into independence in a way that helps them transition into the more difficult forms of independence in RTR on up. We are planning on using HOD all the way through too, and I'm excited about the contentment and joy that gives me too - we'll have to share our journey together here. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Sherry,

The ladies have given you such wise counsel already. I just wanted to pop-in and agree that from what you've shared so far it sounds like your daughter would thrive with starting with CTC in Unit 1 and doing the "I" boxes herself. I think the "I" boxes add a whole new level of rigor, ownership, and understanding to CTC that goes far beyond what takes place when a parent has to take those "I" boxes over. I realize that there are special situations and needs that may not always make the "I" boxes able to be independent for all families, but for those kiddos who can handle it I believe that they should. It provides such an important stepping stone toward the higher level of indpendence required in high school. I also think that reading something to one's self is very different than having something read aloud and listening to it. Often there is better retention with something you have read to yourself. It also allows you as the reader to pause and re-read anything that you didn't understand. I think it could be surprising how much your child will take from CTC when doing it more the way it was written. You'll know your child best, but that is the direction in which I'd lean.

Blessings,
Carrie

[SMiles]

Thanks so much for your input. ladies! DD is doing such a good job on her own reading in Preparing that I do believe that starting over and reading the "I" boxes will be good for her. Now I have to convince her of that! Well, not now, but soon. Her best friends are going to be using CTC next year so maybe that will calm her down about doing the same material twice.

Blessings,
Sherry