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I have a 9 year old boy strong reader, a 12 year old girl who is not a strong reader (maybe 5th grade level-mild special needs), a 15 yo with special needs who reading at about a 6th grade level. We currently are using MFW 1850-Modern at the end of our rotation. I'd like to use CTC. 9yo boy isn't doing written narrations now and doesn't know cursive yet. I don't actually think I'll have my daughters do the extensions. My thought was to have them read the girl lit individually.

First, do you think my 9 year old boy (he'll be 10 next December) will do ok with CTC?
Second, he is a strong reader. Could he read the boy lit individually if I'd like to use the history lit as read-alouds?
Thirdly, if I don't mind the expense and really don't want anyone waiting on someone else to finish with a title before they can read it, what items would I want to purchase multiple copies of? I'd love them to do the I work simultaneously.
And fourthly, we are using Land Animals in Science this year. We've used Flying Creatures before as well. I am so bummed bc/ we did Land Animals this year in addition to another science program!!! Too bad I didn't realize. I could stop. We are only half-way through and they are doing another science as I said. But if I continue with it, could I do Apologia's Anatomy on our own next year in its place? Could/should I still buy the other science books listed? Since there is an anatomy title already scheduled, would this work and be a good fit, or be overkill?

Ok, so there is a 5th question really-I also have a 6 y.o. not reading well enough yet to do level 2 readers on his own. Last year we used about every pilgrim book you all use and so I am unsure where to place him. We've done Stories of Pilgrims, Boys and Girls, American Pioneers... so it seems like Beyond is too much duplication for him. He is doing Italic A now. Should I do Little Hearts with him? How much time would that take me and is the history too much duplication since he really covered American well with us this year and last?

Thanks for any input!

Welcome to the board, walkermamaof4! I'd be glad to help you out here. I will try to answer your questions, but be sure to keep asking more if more questions come to mind. You will find this board is full of encouraging ladies, and HOD is just a terrific way to homeschool, so I'm glad you are here. Okay, here goes...

First, do you think my 9 year old boy (he'll be 10 next December) will do ok with CTC?
My 9 1/2 yo ds did very well with CTC - we loved it! I think it depends on 3 things... how well 9 yo dc read, how well they write, and how well they follow directions to work independently. I'll try to help out with each of these areas, so you can determine if CTC will be a good fit for your 9 yo.
Reading:
Here is an excerpt from (IMO) one of the more difficult history books dc are to read independently in CTC...
http://www.nothingnewpress.com/guerber/ancient26-27.pdf

Writing:
Here is a link to a post with the suggested time allotments for CTC. This should help give a nutshell view of it...
CTC time it takes:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3765
Written narrations are taught in such a clear way at the start of CTC that I think that your ds will do just fine with them. The Appendix is incredibly helpful with Written Narration Tips and editing tips as well. The cursive he can certainly do this year and take time to grow into that and see if that's going to be his chosen method of writing, or if he prefers printing. Here is a link to the CTC Photobook as well, just so you can see the amount of writing in a 2 page spread of the History Notebook each week...
http://heartofdakotasphotobooks.shutterfly.com/31

Ability to follow directions and work fairly well on some assignments independently:
Here is a link to the first week of plans of CTC. Read through the boxes carefully, and see if ds could do the "I" boxes independently, and the "S" boxes semi-independently (given a few weeks to a month to grow into the rotation of skills).
http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/CTC-First-Week.pdf

Second, he is a strong reader. Could he read the boy lit individually if I'd like to use the history lit as read-alouds?
He will be reading his "Reading about History" and science independently. The Storytime read aloud packages, which are Basic Option #1 History, #2 Boy, #3 Girl - are meant for the parent to read aloud at this age. So, you can definitely choose to read aloud the History package (and I think that is an excellent idea because those books are amazing ). In lieu of having ds read the boy interest as well, I'd have him read a DITHOR package of books, as this will be his reading instruction, and the books are geared more toward dc reading them independently, as opposed to the read alouds being chosen for their "read aloud" qualities. Plus, he would only be doing DITHOR 3 days a week (as scheduled in the LA box of CTC's plans), so this would keep the nice balance of how much dc are reading intact with the plans.

Thirdly, if I don't mind the expense and really don't want anyone waiting on someone else to finish with a title before they can read it, what items would I want to purchase multiple copies of?
Personally, I'd get them each their own CTC guide. I think that would be so wonderful - for each of them to have their own guide would really keep them moving on nicely. The upper level guides of HOD act like Student Planners for dc, and the dc are meant to read their directions directly out of the guide as they are doing their assignments (especially the "I" and "S" box assignments). My oldest ds and I have been sharing the guide quite equally from CTC through RevtoRev. If I had multiple dc doing the same upper level guide, and I had the funds, I would definitely enjoy each of them having their own guide. That being said, this is not a "have to", but a "sure would be great" suggestion. Each of your dc will need their own CTC Student Notebooking pages, Jashub's Journal, DITHOR Student Workbook, and Math Workbook. If you have funds, it would be a convenience (again not a necessity, but quite nice) to get 2 of the Economy Packages. The resources in this package are used a lot, and having 2 sets among your 3 dc using it would just free up resources among them more easily. Those are just a few ideas!

And fourthly, we are using Land Animals in Science this year...I could stop. We are only half-way through and they are doing another science...
Personally, I'd just stop the "Land Animals..." this year, and enjoy the convenience of all of it planned so beautifully independently with fun assignments next year. I guarantee it will feel different, as HOD plans each week include the following...
Day 1: create a science notebook entry
Day 2: practice oral narration by retelling the science reading
Day 3: write answers to five provided questions based on the science reading –
including scientific terms and Biblical application
Day 4: conduct an experiment related to the reading and log it in a science
notebook or on a copy of the “Science Lab Sheet” found in the Appendix

5th question -I also have a 6 y.o. not reading well enough yet to do level 2 readers on his own. Last year we used about every pilgrim book you all use and so I am unsure where to place him. We've done Stories of Pilgrims, Boys and Girls, American Pioneers... so it seems like Beyond is too much duplication for him. He is doing Italic A now. Should I do Little Hearts with him? How much time would that take me and is the history too much duplication since he really covered American well with us this year and last?
I would enjoy doing "Little Hearts for His Glory" with him. I think you both would love it! We are currently doing LHFHG along with RevtoRev and PHFHG, and it has been so enjoyable. LHFHG only takes 1 1/2 hours at the most, and it is a blast to do! No prep. Nice balance. Not much writing required. Just a joy to teach. If he has completed phonics and is ready for the Emerging Reader's Set, you could get the Beyond manual and use it for the ERS schedule and comprehension questions. Many, many families do the ERS along with LHFHG, whenever their dc are ready for it. So, if he is ready for that, you can easily add that (and any other needed LA/math component from the right side of the plans of Beyond for that matter), or you can wait on it and start it the next year with Beyond. One year off from the resources he already used will be enough time for them to feel fresher again with Beyond.

HTH!
In Christ,
Julie

Thanks SO much, Julie. I didn't realize there is a DITHOR reading list. Can you send me in the right direction to see that?

Do you think I can REALLY accomplish guiding 3 kids through CTC and 1 child through Little at the same time? I am a bit terrified of this notion!

I think my biggest fear is that none of them can handle the narrations and writing. We've done almost no writing. Should they be able to transition into it ok without doing Preparing? We do everything orally now. But I am excited to change that and do think it is time. It is one of the things I like about HOD but I don't want to set us all up for being overwhelmed.

Thanks for your help. I wish I had known about HOD before. I think we would have enjoyed our year more had we used Bigger Hearts this year.

walkermamaof4 wrote:Thanks SO much, Julie. I didn't realize there is a DITHOR reading list. Can you send me in the right direction to see that?

Do you think I can REALLY accomplish guiding 3 kids through CTC and 1 child through Little at the same time? I am a bit terrified of this notion!

I think my biggest fear is that none of them can handle the narrations and writing. We've done almost no writing. Should they be able to transition into it ok without doing Preparing? We do everything orally now. But I am excited to change that and do think it is time. It is one of the things I like about HOD but I don't want to set us all up for being overwhelmed.

Thanks for your help. I wish I had known about HOD before. I think we would have enjoyed our year more had we used Bigger Hearts this year.

I'm glad to have helped! I think that you are going to do just fine with several HOD guides. I have not found it difficult to manage 3 HOD guides - we really love our days with HOD! I do think the key is to accurately place dc. When dc can do all that is asked of them in a guide, it is great fun for all to do multiple guides. You mentioned here that your dc have been doing everything orally in school - thank you so very much for sharing that. I do think it would be the best placement for them to do PHFHG then. I think you will love PHFHG, and it will help you transition your dc into writing a portion of their assignments. It will also help you transition them into some independent work. HOD helps dc learn skills to work with others and on their own, which helps them be prepared for high school learning later on. I think this is so important, and HOD incrementally teaches skills in steps from year to year within the guides, so dc can truly be successful with this. PHFHG will have your dc stepping into these skills at the right time for their needs.

You may want to stagger start your dc, starting your 2 guides a few weeks apart. Many moms do this to focus on training dc in one guide at a time. Activities and skills rotate in a balanced, routine way within guides, so once dc have learned the ins and outs of doing a few weeks of plans, they will have a good idea of how to work through the rest of the year. Dc at the upper guides use the guides as their Student Planner for their "I" independent boxes, and the "S" semi-independent boxes as well. Of course we as teachers still do the noted follow-ups (ask discussion questions in the guide, listen to oral narrations and use the Appendix's Oral Narration Tips to help them improve, work through the editing tips one at a time to help them improve, check written work together, etc.), but the dc are responsible for their portion as well. We have found this to be a wonderful balance in our day. Your little one will have quite a bit less independence, but the teaching time is kept very manageable and there is not much writing in LHFHG. I'd plan a little over an hour for LHFHG with a 6 yo, and your older dc can be doing their "I" boxes during that time, so everyone is moving forward with their school. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Sorry I am so full of questions. I realized I might need to say that ds6 turns 7 tomorrow and is in 1st grade. So he'll be 8 mid-year next year and in 2nd grade next year. But he'll need emerging readers. Knowing that, would it change where you would place him? Or should I still do Little with emerging readers? Thanks!

No worries - I'm glad to try to help. Honestly, if you are looking at the placement chart and thinking overall your younger ds fits best in Beyond, I would do Beyond with him even though some of the books will be a repeat. However, if he places best in LHFHG and just needs the Emerging Reader's Set from Beyond along with LHFHG, this is easy to do as well. I look at repeats as no big deal if placement is right, because once he is initially placed right, every year after will be new, and more importantly, it will be right on track for his needs skillwise. The follow-ups of activities, discussion questions, art projects, linked poetry, linked Bible memory work and discussions, linked music, timeline, linked science readings and experiments, etc. in Beyond will make repeat books seem fresh enough IMO. So, taking the fact that ds would be repeating some of the books, which placement fits him better overall - Beyond or LHFHG? Whatever the answer is, I'd go with that one. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Ok, I've read and read and read other people's posts too and I posted a question about DITHOR but then read responses to other's DITHOR questions. It sounds like, based on my girls' reading levels and spelling/narration skills, that I could maybe put them and my ds9 in Preparing but add extensions. Then I could use Beyond for ds7 with emerging readers. Us R&S 4 for ds9. Separate maths... Do you think that is reasonable? My dd15 has special needs (Fragile X syndrome) and does math at a 1st-2nd grade level and reads at a 6th grade level maybe. My dd12 has mild Fragile X and does math on level but reads slightly lower than grade level, preferring 4th grade level books for her fun reading. ds9 reads solidly at 4th grade level and does math at 4th grade level now and AAS4 but will be in 4th grade next year. ds(turns 7 tomorrow) will need emerging readers and is still learning to spell 4-5 letter words. He actually answers oral questions about our MFW1850-modern as well as all of my other kids, so his comprehension and listening skills are good. I had wanted to do CTC bc/ it has been so many years since we covered it thoroughly with the girls that dd12 doesn't remember much at all except that there were Pharoahs but everyone could use a good year of seeing how history through time unfolded. Do you feel like this would work better?

Yes - I think that sounds like a wonderful plan! I think you have come to a good placement here, and it really does consider everyone's needs in a balanced way. I really think you will enjoy teaching Beyond and PHFHG. I taught those guides at the same time a few years back and enjoyed it very much. It sounds like you have figured out some good LA/math placements too. HOORAY - I think you have come up with a good fit!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks for working with me, Julie! Have a blessed day and school year!

Oh - if I do this, can you tell me what would I want to duplicate so that the kids can all work simultaneously and not wait on each other at all to finish books? I really, really don't want that to be an issue at all. I want to do everything I can to make it a peaceful year! Thanks.

walkermamaof4 wrote:Oh - if I do this, can you tell me what would I want to duplicate so that the kids can all work simultaneously and not wait on each other at all to finish books? I really, really don't want that to be an issue at all. I want to do everything I can to make it a peaceful year! Thanks.

Well, if money is not an issue at all you could have each child have their own set of the Science books and also the Deluxe Independent History Package. If you really wanted each child to feel independent, they could each have their own Preparing Teacher's Guide so they could use it like a planner and check off their tasks as they complete them each day. The instructions for the independent Science and History, as well as the instructions for their History project, timeline, research, etc. are in the guide. If you have just one guide, I'm thinking they will have to do a lot of sharing through the day to see their assignments.

Having said that, I think it is possible to work it out so you only have one set of everything. You'd just have to schedule things so that each person had a particular time in the day to use the independent books. It could be tricky with sharing the guide though. I think I'm "thinking out loud" here!

Maybe someone who has used a guide with 2 or 3 children could weigh in here?

HTH!

Thanks. That is what I was needing to know. Will do. I'd rather resell later and have the year go as smoothly as I can.

walkermamaof4 wrote:Thanks. That is what I was needing to know. Will do. I'd rather resell later and have the year go as smoothly as I can.

As a fellow mother of 4 children (soon to be 5 in September) I understand completely!!!

It sounds like you have a great plan going here! I agree that it sounds like Beyond and Preparing will be the best fit for your kiddos. One thing I will pop-in and share is that you may want to consider Rod and Staff English 3 for your 9 year old, depending on how much English instruction he has had in the past. We typically advise using Rod and Staff at least one grade level behind the child's current year in school. Both English 3 and 4 are scheduled in Preparing, so you can do either one and have your bases covered.

Also, if your 9 year old has never had cursive writing instruction, you will likely want to add that in this year. I'd recommend doing Cheerful Cursive with him at the pace of a page a day. Cheerful Cursive can be found under the Bigger Heart's resources here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/BHFHG-handwriting.php

Next, as far as your older kiddos go, you may want to consider having them do the Deluxe Package rather than the Extensions. Typically the Extension books range around the 5th and 6th grade reading level, which may or may not be too much for your girls. If they did the Deluxe Package books instead, they could for sure read them and also work on reading right from the Preparing guide and reading their own directions for the 'I' boxes. This would be a good skill to work toward for them too (with as much hand-holding as needed to be successful).

I'd also lean toward considering DITHR for the oldest 3 kiddos at some point. You could use the Level 4/5 Girl Set with your older two, and the 4/5 Boy Set with your son. Both are linked here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-optional4-5.php

You could use the books with either the 2/3 or 4/5 Student Book for DITHR linked here for all of them: http://www.heartofdakota.com/drawn-into-packages.php

Since they haven't done much in the way of writing, you could either do the 2/3 Student Book (with DITHR guide) to keep writing to a minimum, or you could read and discuss and be the students' scribe for the 4/5 Level Student book instead. The 4/5 Level will require a higher level of thinking, so if literature study is new, I'd lean toward the 2/3.

If you wanted to add in an Apologia book to do with all of them on your free 5th day each week that would work too. You may want to stay away from Anatomy as we do cover anatomy in CTC (where they would be headed next year if you enjoy HOD). So, possibly choose a different Apologia book than that. You'll also want to stay away from Apologia's Land Animals (as you already mentioned) and Apologia's Astronomy (as we also use that in a later guide). You could consider stopping the Land Animal book now, which is the direction in which I'd lean, to keep it fresher for the following year in CTC.

Blessings,
Carrie

Very helpful! Thanks so much for taking the time to help with all of those suggestions. I will implement them. I am excited! It seems much more like what I envision for us than what we are doing now.