Does my 7th grader definitely need Extensions?

[andreamichele13]

So, next year, I will have a 7th grader doing RtR, and I "think" I will need the Extensions, right? I was just wondering how much extra this will add to our schedule, and if he will definitely needs them. He is an avid reader, so I'm not thinking it will be a huge problem, but I know there is a basic package AND we will be doing DITHOR, so just curious as to how much more this will add to his workload. I was under the impression that in order to make Rtr suitable for a 7th grader, the extensions were a must.

Any feedback would be appreciated!!!!

Andrea

[Mom2Monkeys]

My 11yo 6th grader (next fall) will do CTC without extensions after speaking to many moms here. Those upper guides are incredibly meaty so I'd say as long as math and language arts (grammar and dictation primarily) are at his level, everything else from writing to history to science will be plenty. At the most, I might have the extensions "book basket" style. We've done a book basket thing for years where I leave books I would like for them to read, know they'll like, and are free for them to read but they aren't required. I am doing Preparing with her this year as a 10yo 5th grader and have the extensions but currently we aren't doing much with them beyond letting her read when she likes. She actually isn't using the schedule exaxrly but is reading the book for that unit, just not the daily page breakdown. I would start without them and add them if needed for your 7th grader. We will hit RTR in 7th and I doubt I'll require them. It's just so deep and full already and isn't lacking for this age without them. I do believe they also say only for mature readers, and that's it's optional. I think. On my phone so I can't easily browse over to check.

[Larissa]

I absolutely agree that the curriculum is rich and meaty without them. I am going to try and buy the extension books each year - even though my children are falling into the mid range age of the guides. I cannot seem to keep enough books around for my children to read - they love to read so much - and the books on the extension lists are so wonderful! So, I want them around for my children to read just because they are so fantastic! I do schedule them like the guide schedules them - however, I am not rigid about it - I don't actually have to be. I have to keep him from reading too much at one time!

It's really just a personal call. I love the book basket idea!

[LynnH]

I agree with what the others have said. My ds is 12 and technically a 7th grader and we are not doing the extensions for RTR. It is plenty meaty without them. The introduction says it is for mature readers or those who are very strong readers. I am pretty sure it is optional. If you do them then you could have some as a book basket idea without doing the assignments.

[andreamichele13]

Thank you, ladies!!!!! I really like the book basket idea, if I do them at all. My ds absolutely loves to go to the library though, and I still want him to have some "guided" freedom to check out things that interest him, so maybe I'll hold off on the extensions until we are more familiar with HOD. This will be his first year doing HOD, and with so many new changes, I don't want to overwhelm him. He is convinced that he wants the extensions, simply b/c he LOVES to read and it's one thing I NEVER have to ask him to do. AGAIN, I still don't want to overwhelm, and like some of you have said, I can always order them later!!!!

Thank you so much for your insight!!!! So nice to have so much insight and willingness to help here!!!!

Andrea

[my3sons]

I totally agree with the super advice you already received here! I have actually gone back and gotten all the extension package books (and the Storytime packages) from previous guides we've done to have excellent free reading material for our sons. They are so good, and finding good books is very hard to do, especially as dc get older and reading levels go up. I put a white address label on the spine of each HOD book we own with a heart (for HOD ) drawn on it and abbreviations of the package it's part of (i.e. DITHOR 6/7, ERS, Rev Ext, Beyond Storytime G). Then, I let the boys pick from a certain level down (to be sure the maturity of the books aren't too much for their ages. When Riley finished Bigger Hearts this year, I pulled out the totes for Bigger Hearts on down, and let him choose anything he wanted to read, except for the Bigger Extensions (I like to wait a year or two on those as he's on the young end of the guides). When Wyatt finished RTR, I pulled out all the totes for RTR on down, and let him read anything he wanted from those, including the extensions, as he's now mature enough for them. It was fun to see what they chose to read! Wyatt read all of "American Pioneers and Patriots" in a row, "Tirzah", "God King", both Eggelston books, "Adam of the Road", "Beorn the Proud", "The Little Lame Prince", "Hittite Warrior", "Twice Freed", "Alexander the Great", "The Boy Knight", "Black Horses for the King", "Robin Hood", and "Robert Boyle". Can you tell what genres Wyatt loves?!? Riley, on the other hand, chose "Pagoo", "House at Pooh Corner", "Follow My Leader", "The Trumpet Swan", "The Cricket in Times Square", "A Lion to Guard Us", "Mr. Popper's Penguins", all of the Thorton Burgess set, "John Audubon", "By the Great Horn Spoon", "The Littles", and "Capyboppy". Can you tell what genres Riley loves?!? Anyway, I've just gotten them a package at a time over the years, instead of buying individual titles at book fairs or at book stores. It's been fun to build are home library slowly this way, and the books are of such a good quality, I want to own them. It has taken much of the pressure off to provide free reading material. Okay - I got way off topic here, but I just thought I'd share this, as we are all always on a seemingly never-ending quest for good books for our dc!

In Christ,
Julie

[andreamichele13]

As always, everyone offers amazing advice! Thank you!

Julie....I love your idea of labeling the books for your boys to read! I'm going to have to try that.... Splendid ideas!

Andrea