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I'm thinking of returning to HOD for the upcoming year. If we return we would be using Preparing for my dd and LHTH with my son. Are the history readings in Preparing meant to be read aloud by the parent, silently by the student, or is it left to the discretion of the parent? Thanks!

~Nancy

The history spines in the ecomomy package (reading about history) and the history read-alouds in the basic package (storytime) are meant to be read aloud by the parent in Preparing. However, the science adder (science exploration) and the self-study deluxe history package (independent history study) are meant to be read and done by the student-they are labeled "I" for independent in the daily lesson plans. This will build skills needed for success with the upper level guides

Nancy,

It's good to "see" you again! Lourdes did a terrific job of answering your question.

One thing I'll add is that as far as the history readings go, if your child is 9 on up (and is a good reader), then you can have your child read the history spines on his/her own as well. This is because we agree with Charlotte Mason that a child aged 9 on up who can read his/her own history material should. However, if a parent of a child aged 9 on up still wants to read aloud the history spines in Preparing, we think that is fine too. Once a child gets to CTC, however, we fully intend for the child to be reading his/her history spines independently. Otherwise, the parent's day will be drawn out in doing something the child who is being placed in CTC should be able to do. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule (for kiddos who have special learning challenges), however this is the general guideline.

Blessings,
Carrie

We do Preparing with our oldest. He reads his history by himself and has to narrate a summary to me. That is with the exception of Grandpa's Box. We read that together. I would do this again in a heartbeat and cannot wait for my other children to get to do that book too. It has drawn us closer together!

I have the whole program, all of the books, sitting in a container in my study closet. I'm chomping at the bit to use it.
We are only in Unit 8 of Bigger though. Haha

Thank-you ladies, and Carrie, for your kind replies. My daughter will be 8 when we start, so at first I'll read the history aloud, but as the year progresses she'll take over doing the reading herself. Of course, I'll continue to read the story-time selections aloud. My daughter is a STRONG reader, but of course being able to read the words is not the same as understanding and I want to be sure she can understand what she reads. I have narration to be a very valuable tool in discovering whether my child understands what she is reading or not. Thank-you Charlotte Mason!

I'm thrilled to be able to come back to HOD!

Hi funkmomma - it's good to see you! I just wanted to say that this is exactly what we have done with Riley this year...

funkmomma71 wrote:...My daughter will be 8 when we start, so at first I'll read the history aloud, but as the year progresses she'll take over doing the reading herself. Of course, I'll continue to read the story-time selections aloud...

... and it has worked really well! He is turning 9 yo in a week, and I let him start reading his "Reading about History" book just last week. It has been going great! I bet you'll enjoy PHFHG as much as we are, and it will be fun to do LHTH with your little one.

In Christ,
Julie

When you let them start reading the history in Preparing, do you have them read it to you or do you just go by how they narrate and answer the questions to know if they've understood it? Jayden will be turning 9 in April, so I'll probably have her start reading when we are halfway through....

I just have him read it on his own. I then skim the reading, and with book in hand, listen to his oral narrations, etc. This has not been hard to do and has worked well. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Carrie has included the Key Idea of the reading as well for each box which gives the teacher a good "idea" of what the child read about. I usually glance at that before my student narrates to me.