CTC Storytime

[mom23]

I've noticed that the extension set for CTC includes books that the kids can read independently in place of storytime...is there a reason that my dd can't read the storytime titles from the Basic package herself? Are these at a higher reading level than the extension books? (We have the History Interest Pkg.)

[MelInKansas]

The storytime books will be a higher reading level (though if you are using extensions your child would be able to do a higher reading level). There will be more complexity and more comprehension difficulty. There is also more interaction for you with the storytime titles, it helps that you are reading them along with the child in order to discuss it with them or to be able to really see if they are doing the projects well, etc. Plus then there isn't as high of a reading demand on the child. Some children love reading and would do it all day, but I know my DD's comprehension of what she reads independently vs what I read to her or what we read together is much lower.

Plus my understanding (though I have not done CTC) is that extension books are read by the child IN ADDITION to all of the other reading that is part of the core program.

So I think it's highly recommended to do the Storytime titles as read-alouds.

[mom23]

Thanks for your thoughts, Melissa! I'm pretty sure you are right about the Extensions being in addition for the Bigger and Preparing guides. However, in CTC it says they could be read by the student either in addition to, or in place of the storytime read-alouds. I'm also thinking you're probably right about the levels of the read-alouds being a bit higher than the extensions; I guess I was just curious if anyone who's familiar with these books might have some insight as to whether it might be an option for dd to read them alone occasionally, if I'm finding myself too bogged down with the other guides for my younger sons, or if I need to consider getting the extension books instead of the ones I have.

*ETA-I'd not consider her needing extensions to challenge her. Although she'll be a 6th grader, I think CTC is going to be just fine as written. My only thoughts were purely for the sake of my own time. Sounds selfish, but I'm learning that I do have limitations with how much I can give to everyone for school, and the younger boys need me for all of it right now.

[MomtoJGJE]

CTC extensions are also meant to go alongside of everything in the guide as written. From the website "Adding this optional package to the Economy Package extends the area of history to include more advanced, independent reading material." I'm pretty sure in all levels the extensions are just that.... extensions. They are meant for students that need to add more to the guide as is.

I haven't found the teaching time in CTC to be much at all, including the Story Time, but we do story time at night before bed.... I needed to consolidate SOMETHING so I ended up choosing the girl interest instead of history so that I could combine my girls Story Time together.

[mom23]

Okay, thank you. I was just getting confused with what I was reading in the front of the manual-storytime section "Sixth and seventh graders should either listen to the History Interest Set read aloud, or read the Extension Package books, or do both of these options..."; and then in the description of the extension pkg it states, "For very sensitive sixth or seventh graders, or for those who are not yet strong readers, we recommend the Basic Pkg Option 1-History Set for the parent to read aloud instead."

I guess we'll just dive in and see how much time things are taking with my reading them to her . I just know that when I was reading everything I was supposed to in Preparing, as well as all of Beyond and Little Hearts...my throat was glad when school was over. It seemed especially that one of the books toward the end, where we were assigned over 20 pgs, it was taking quite a bit more time to get through our daily readings than the 20 mins or so recommended for storytime. Of course, I later realized that we must have been using a different version of the book than the manual was based on because our book didn't have as many pages...I was probably reading more words than intended each day.

[MomtoJGJE]

CTC is MUCH less reading on the parent's part! I'm seriously reading, including storytime, for less than 30 minutes each day with CTC. And that's including math and LA instructions. I'm sure some of the story time readings are longer, but right now it's very manageable! And I'm not even making her read anything that's not scheduled for her to read yet

But I have to say that the second time through Bigger the reading doesn't seem to be as much as it did the first time. I think all the reading in Preparing "prepared" me for hard amounts of reading But I think, no I KNOW I'm reading more in Bigger than I am in CTC.

[mom23]

CTC is MUCH less reading on the parent's part! I'm seriously reading, including storytime, for less than 30 minutes each day with CTC. And that's including math and LA instructions. I'm sure some of the story time readings are longer, but right now it's very manageable! And I'm not even making her read anything that's not scheduled for her to read yet

But I have to say that the second time through Bigger the reading doesn't seem to be as much as it did the first time. I think all the reading in Preparing "prepared" me for hard amounts of reading But I think, no I KNOW I'm reading more in Bigger than I am in CTC.

Thank you for the encouragement! Sounds wonderful...maybe I can actually handle the coming school year, after all?!

[pjdobro]

I don't think the read aloud in CTC take much more than 20 minutes each day. We did the history set and loved it! It really enhances the history and gives you the feeling of being in the time period. We did read a couple of the extension books instead of a couple of the scheduled storytime titles because I had them already and didn't have the other books. Of the ones we read from the extension package, Hittite Warrior and Within the Palace Gates, I didn't feel the reading level was much different than the scheduled storytime. They might be a bit easier, but they made up for it in length I think for a strong reader, reading the storytime themselves would be a possibility if needed. You would just want to make sure to do the follow-ups that are written in the guide with her. They are fun and helpful in developing better narration skills as well as making the connection with the Word of God. We all really enjoyed the Proverbs connection we did each week and it gave me great insight into my dc's hearts. One week during CTC I had to be away so I had my dc read the storytime themselves and did fine. I wouldn't have wanted to do that the whole time though just because I didn't want to miss the books. They are great!

[mom23]

I don't think the read aloud in CTC take much more than 20 minutes each day. We did the history set and loved it! It really enhances the history and gives you the feeling of being in the time period. We did read a couple of the extension books instead of a couple of the scheduled storytime titles because I had them already and didn't have the other books. Of the ones we read from the extension package, Hittite Warrior and Within the Palace Gates, I didn't feel the reading level was much different than the scheduled storytime. They might be a bit easier, but they made up for it in length I think for a strong reader, reading the storytime themselves would be a possibility if needed. You would just want to make sure to do the follow-ups that are written in the guide with her. They are fun and helpful in developing better narration skills as well as making the connection with the Word of God. We all really enjoyed the Proverbs connection we did each week and it gave me great insight into my dc's hearts. One week during CTC I had to be away so I had my dc read the storytime themselves and did fine. I wouldn't have wanted to do that the whole time though just because I didn't want to miss the books. They are great!

Thanks for your input-very helpful!

[my3sons]

I agree that for a strong reader, you could consider having your dd read a portion of the Storytime books herself if short on time. It is important to note that she is 11 yo. I'd probably not suggest this for a 9 yo, or probably not even a typical 10 yo, but I do think an 11 yo could do this. My oldest ds, Wyatt, began reading his own Storytime books when he was this age in RevtoRev. Before that, in RTR, I set the timer and read aloud the Storytime books for 10 minutes, and let my ds finish whatever was left. He was almost 11 yo at that time. He liked this, and when we got to RevtoRev he wanted to take it over completely. Whoever ends up reading it, it is important to always do the Storytime follow-up skill with the dc though, and they take around 5 minutes, if that. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[mom23]

I agree that for a strong reader, you could consider having your dd read a portion of the Storytime books herself if short on time. It is important to note that she is 11 yo. I'd probably not suggest this for a 9 yo, or probably not even a typical 10 yo, but I do think an 11 yo could do this. My oldest ds, Wyatt, began reading his own Storytime books when he was this age in RevtoRev. Before that, in RTR, I set the timer and read aloud the Storytime books for 10 minutes, and let my ds finish whatever was left. He was almost 11 yo at that time. He liked this, and when we got to RevtoRev he wanted to take it over completely. Whoever ends up reading it, it is important to always do the Storytime follow-up skill with the dc though, and they take around 5 minutes, if that. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

It does help, thank you!