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My daughter is 10, but will turn 11 in December. Do I need to order the extensions for Preparing?

Does she place into Preparing or does she place higher? What level is she reading at?

If she places into Preparing and isn't advanced in reading, then I wouldn't do the extensions. They are meant to "beef up" the guide and make it more challenging. Normally they are used when combining siblings, where one places 1-2 guides higher than the other.

She is a strong reader. Would I get the newly independent set and the extensions or just the extension set? Thanks.

You want to do the deluxe set even if you do the extensions. The deluxe set (for newly independent readers) is where the material for the independent history box comes in. They read and do activities independently in this box.
The extensions have a reading level of mid 5th grade through 7th grade. I would only use them if you daughter is VERY advanced AND needs more challenge than what is in the guide. They are really meant to beef up the history and science for 6th and 7th graders, not for children properly placed in Preparing for 3rd-5th grades.

I would start the guide without the extensions and see how it goes. If you want to add them then you could do that later on or just add a few of them. They are scheduled in the appendix not in the main pages. With her age you really do not need to do the extensions for it to be a complete program.

Thanks to everyone for your help!