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I do own the child's story of America an exPloring planet earth (thy are used almost regularly throughout the year). Our library has a few of the other books. There are about 8 that I don't own or have access to. I'm considering purchasing them a few at a time as we need them. But if that's not doable, I'm even wondering how critical the extensions are? I'd mostly have my 10yo fifth grade dd use them although she's not a huge lover of reading--she can read and reads well just doesn't like to read, especially If it something she HAS to read. Now my soon to be 9yo fourth grader on the other hand will read anything I give her because she just loves to read! So how important re the extension books? Should I just have my 10yo read what we own and what we can get from the library? Or are those other books absolutely critical?

My understanding of the extensions is they are used to enrich the learning for the older child. I think each program is wonderful without them, but the extensions add more depth for the student ready for that level of learning. I think that's usually, but not always, for a child that's in the upper age/ability range of the guide.

I have some of them here. If we need or have time for them, we'll do them. If not, we won't. If I find I need more I'll get them then.

I know that isn't a definitive answer. It just depends on the student.

I'm kind of leaning towards thinking that we won't use all of them since my 10yo doesn't really enjoy reading. If we have them or they are at the library then we will use them. I'm not worried about reading level because she could read them easily, just more concerned that with all the other reading she will be doing the extensions might really make her drag her feet on doing all the reading!

Unless she is "behind" in abilities, I think Bigger without extensions (and maybe some other additions) will be quite light for a 5th grader. I did Bigger this year with my 5th grade DD because we started in Preparing in 4th and it was a little on the hard side for her. I did not want to move directly into CTC. We had never done American History, so we moved back to Bigger.

We did the extensions, added Apologia Zoology 2 to the science, did dictation out of the RTR manual, did Mavis Beacon Typing, and did reading, grammar, and math at 5th grade level. Even so, it was a little light this year. She easily finishes by noon every day (starting around 8 and taking lunch around 11.)

I am still glad we did it. Having at least an introduction to American History was great, and I know she will get more out of CTC doing it in 6th instead of 5th, but if I had it to do all over, I would have done Bigger with extensions in 4th, Preparing in 5th and then CTC in 6th. I added quite a bit to Bigger and it was still a little too easy for 5th grade. But it really depends on the child.

Just my personal experience with doing Bigger for 5th.

Doing "Drawn into the Heart of the Reading" and really focusing on developing reading skills, as well as encouraging a love for reading, would be more important for a fifth grader doing Bigger Hearts if the extensions are too much. I'd focus on reading instruction within DITHOR, and then perhaps the next year in PHFHG, dd will be set to do the extensions at that point. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie