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I'm thinking of recombining my 2 oldest kids. I'm also thinking of still reading some of the 'I' boxes, like Story of the Ancient World. I thought I'd like more independence, but, I miss reading with them. As long as they are doing all the assignments and still reading some on their own, is it ok?

I know you said in the other thread you were having trouble getting it all done. The readings in CTC are long. Reading them out loud will really add time to your day. Carrie really did design them to be read independently. They learn a different set of skills when reading something themselves. I know it is harder for my ds to tune in to details when he is reading it. This is an ongoing skill that I really am emphasizing, because he needs to be able to read material and know what to pick out as the important things. If I read things out loud then he picks up on my voice inflection and can tell what is important. Reading fiction books for pleasure does not hone the same skills as reading something like Story of the Ancient World with all the advanced vocabulary. You also said you are having trouble getting to your Beyond child. If you continue to let you CTC child advance with Independence, won't that free up your time for the Beyond child? I know it is hard to allow them to move up in Independence, see my hovering momma post I posted a few days ago. Now in Rev to Rev I really see all the skills that Carrie has built in that are so vital for dc to learn and I really think they learn those best by doing the guides as they were designed.

Also, you still have the Storytime box and the rotating Bible Study/Geography box where you can read out loud to them in CTC, while letting them take over their Independent box readings and assignments

I guess I just miss 'Reading About History' more than anything:(

My ds loves telling me about what he read or anything interesting he finds. I think he likes to be able to "teach" me something. It is part of our changing relationship as he gets older. Also part of that is that we have these much deeper, meaningful discussions around the bible boxes and other boxes I do with him. If your older children are reading their history on their own, doesn't that free you up to really enjoy the reading about history boxes with your younger ones?

You are the teacher. You can do whatever you need or want to do in your homeschool! I too like reading about history with my children. They have so much other independent that I read the history to them. Or we take turns reading it to each other. It's fun and we enjoy doing it this way. Like I said, it's my school and I'm the teacher. We do what needs to be done to help our children succeed, enjoy learning, and increase their understanding and knowledge. No there is nothing wrong with reading the "I" boxes to your children. If you enjoy it and they do too then continue to read it to them!

I didn't grow up Christian. I had a standard public school education. They are learning awesome things and I feel left out. My 3rd child is doing Beyond, but I'm subbing "The Story of Canada". I guess I just feel like I want to be their teacher more than have them self teach. I know I can't do every subject, but I'd like to do more than I am. IDK, we'll see. I decided to recombine them, starting Monday they'll both be in Preparing. I like the amount in Preparing, but CTC feels like I just took too big of a step back.