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Hi Ladies,

I have been searching for ANY feedback on this cycle, but haven't really found much! I am SO excited to be starting this with my 12yo son next year, who will be in 7th grade. My only concern is the workload. He is convinced he wants to do the basic pkg., the extension pkg, and the drawn into the heart of reading. NOW, he IS a very, very avid reader and LOVES to read, but do you think this will be too much? I talked with Mike about what to order him and he said that the extension pkg. is more like a book basket, used in leisure time or at night and such. Is there no work that goes along with them? If not, that would be GREAT.

Any other thoughts about this year in the program? Like I said, I'm just looking for ANY feedback, as I've found it hard to find much on here about it!

Thanks!

I'd be glad to help! We did RTR last year and LOVED it. I did a post virtually every week with pictures on the Weekly Check-In that may be fun reading if that would be helpful, and there is also a photobook with pictures and comments dedicated just to RTR. Here are some links for those...
A few Weekly Check-Ins...
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8686&p=63522
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8525&p=62319
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8358&p=60967

RTR's Photobook...
http://heartofdakotasphotobooks.shutterfly.com/33

I don't think the reading will be too much at all, but to make sure, have you used the placement chart to accurately place your ds? If so, and he fits well into RTR, then it will not be too much - it will be a delight! As far as the extension package, there is a schedule in the Appendix that matches each day of the plans, and there are suggested follow-ups to rotate through (i.e. detailed oral narration, summary oral narration, summary of the reading, written narration with an opinion). Each follow-up has a clear paragraph to explain it further. Some families enjoy using the schedule and follow-up activities, some just use the schedule and a few follow-ups each week, some just use the schedule and no follow-ups each week, and some just have their dc leisurely read the books. It is very flexible! I think it is more important for dc to do the core of the guide well, and then add the extensions if necessary, than it is to do a mediocre job on the core of the guide, and do all of the extensions and their follow-ups. I hope that makes sense! There is much to love about RTR... the books are fantastic, the history Student Notebook is beautiful, the Shakespeare study was great fun, the art appreciation and artwork included were lovely, the science was hands-on and full of excellent skills, the Bible Quiet TIme was so fitting (we LOVED "Boyhood and Beyond" especially), and I could go on and on. I think it's safe to say you and your ds will enjoy it. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Julie,

Thank you SO much! That was a wonderful explanation. I think it's best to say that, since this is our first year of HOD, we will just play it by ear! I am SO EAGER to start...too bad I have to wait to finish up our current curriculum! haha.

I am going to check those links you sent RIGHT NOW! Yeah!!!!!

Andrea

I am also going back and forth on whether or not to do the Shakespeare study. I don't want to totally overextend my son or me! I also have a 4 yo and a 5yo, which I will be doing LHFHG, so I will be doing school with them as well. Of course, the Shakespeare looks interesting....just don't want to take on too much right off!

andreamichele13 wrote:I am also going back and forth on whether or not to do the Shakespeare study. I don't want to totally overextend my son or me! I also have a 4 yo and a 5yo, which I will be doing LHFHG, so I will be doing school with them as well. Of course, the Shakespeare looks interesting....just don't want to take on too much right off!

The Shakespeare study is optional, so maybe you could begin without it and see what you think? We did enjoy it, but I can see what you are saying here. It is scheduled one time per week in the RTR guide, so if you did decide to get it later, you could just do it twice a week for a bit, or a bit into the summer, and be all caught up. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie