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Hi, everyone –

I’ve read and read through the program selection chart, the placement chart & the scope and sequence to determine which level will be more appropriate for my 11yo son next year. we are new to HOD and I believe it will be a great fit for my son.

My dilemma is this: he is a voracious reader – a lover of history and Bible study…I believe he fits better on the RTR level, however…thinking ahead…if we begin here at the 6th grade level, will we “run out” of levels by 12th? Or should I begin with CTC and the extension activities since we are new to HOD? Additionally, our co-op (which we LOVE and want to stay in) will be using Mystery of History Vol II next year (he’s already worked through Vol I) and the Apologia Sciences of Land Animals & Ocean Animals…so I’m thinking those both fit better with RTR?

I am in VA and our Homeschool Conference is next wkend … I don’t see it on the HOD as a conference they'll be at  but we have a HUGE book sale and I’m hoping to be ready with list in hand for the extra reading material for whatever level I settle on.

I appreciate any advice/suggestions you all may have –

First if you do RTR as a 6th grader no you won't run out of levels. You would do Rev to Rev for 7th and MTMM for 8th and then the 4 high school guides that will be coming out. I think what you really need to look at is where he places as far as the writing. That seems to be the area that can be a challenge for some kids, especially boys. Has he done written narrations before? There is more writing in RTR than CTC. In fact I would say that is the biggest difference between the 2 programs. In RTR they do written narrations for history and for science. There is also a research post card each week, copywork and then the writing assignments in IEW medieval writing lessons and if you use Rod and Staff the writing assignments in that. If he is a reluctant writer or totally new to written and oral narration then you might want to go with CTC with extensions.

You said you think your son fits better in the RTR category. Then, that is the way to go. If you are doing MOH volume 2 at co-op, it would be the same time period. However, I agree with the above poster to make sure the writing skills are on par. My 11 year old son did RTR this year with a couple of his siblings. It was a great year!

I recently had to make the same decision - a rising 6th grader (11 year old boy), also new to HOD. The advice I received from this board was to start with CTC. I ordered that with extensions and after receiving our books and looking through the guides, I think this will be a good fit. My son is extremely bright but has no experience with the Charlotte Mason style of learning - doing narrations, etc. I think CTC will ease him into that better than RtR would have. It's probably easier to bump up the difficulty if we find it too easy - for example maybe do DITHOR everyday instead of 3 times a week. Another suggestion I also received was to supplement the science with Biology 101 DVDs - watch that on Fridays. I did find it helpful to look at the on-line samples of the guides for both CTC and RtR for comparison. May God guide you in your decisions! I think our boys are going to love HOD!!

thank you all for your insight! such good points from all - appreciate it!