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My ds (11 at the time) did his own reading about history in CTC last year, but looking ahead at next year, I am wondering if my dd (will be 10) will be able to handle the first book on her own. She is currently in Preparing, and I read aloud the history sections with her, as I did with my ds before. He made the switch okay, but have any of you found that you need to read some of the history book aloud in CTC at the beginning of the year? Or is being able to handle the independent reading a prerequisite for being in CTC? I may also be helping teach a co-worker's dd (will be 9, but an advanced learner), so it's possible both girls will be using the CTC history next year. Any thoughts? It's totally possible my dd will be able to handle the reading after another 7 months of school this year, but I just want to find out what the possibilities are in case she isn't. And to find out if most 10 year olds are able to handle the independent reading level well in CTC.

My advice is to not worry about it right now. But I'm preaching to the choir here I'm always thinking ahead, too.

That said, I have a 9yo that is doing all the independent things independently in CTC, although I do scribe some things or let him type occasionally as he had done little written work before coming to HOD this year. I also have a 10 1/2 yo that I put in Preparing because her reading level is late grade 2 still! (Thankfully, testing revealed no LDs, so besides doing Dianne Craft's Brain Training I hope it will "click" as she continues to mature.) I started the year reading just about everything to her but she is growing into reading all the independent work in Preparing (which I didn't expect yet at this point in the year)!

All that to say, no matter where they are right now, 10 months is a long time and they grow in fits and starts so who knows where they'll be by then? The two girls may be at different skill levels in different subjects while both being ready for CTC next year and when the time comes you can chose to adapt different aspects in different ways for each girl. There is nothing wrong with starting the year with an adaptation (reading an independent subject) with the goal that they would gradually take over as the year progresses. And from my experience with our previous curriculum, sometimes when a new book is started you may find you need to go back to reading until they get the vocabulary, cadence, mood/tone of the new book enough to be able to read on their own again.

Whatever "most" 10 year olds can do is irrelevant for what you will need to do for your DD. You need to teach at her level and the only concern comes when her skills (or lack thereof) would put her in the wrong guide. As long as she's properly placed, teach in whatever way allows her to learn the most and will lead her to acquire the independence and skills being targeted for that guide.

HTH. Blessings,

My dd will be 10 at the end of the month. She is not necessarily a natural reader but she made it through Preparing reading by herself. It was tough when we started but by 10-15 weeks in, she was able to do it alone. This year, the first 10 weeks have been tough. But now she is flying through it.

My approach is that if the guide says she should do it alone, then I am going to push that. The reading actually isn't as intimidating as it may seem. I would just take it at her pace but I would have her do the reading. In addition, to help prepare her, I would probably stop reading for her in Preparing now. Reading those books highly prepared my dd for the reading in CTC.

If she's doing Preparing as written, taking the independence in reading and writing that is given there, then she should be ready. It is a big jump, and some difficult reading, but you can always slow it down some if you need to. Each guide is meant to prepare them adequately for the next one, so again, if you are completely doing the guide as written you should be okay. Also as Rice said, a lot of growth can and will happen between now and next fall. I think you will make it!

I am about to start CTC with some trepidation as my daughter (who is almost 10) has always struggled with writing. I am praying for grace to make this leap! God always provides just what we need.