Placement Guidance Please

[Susan G]

I have been reading y'alls previous posts, and think I have come to a conclusion, but would like to make sure it would work ok. My 11 yr old son is in the 5th grade this year, and he really wanted to do the medieval period, so we started with Res to Ref. I would like for him to cover all four middle school grades, so would it be ok for us to use CTC next year for 6th grade with the extensions, then go to Rev to Rev for 7th and MtMM for 8th? Will it be a problem or make it difficult for him to start higher, go backwards then jump forward again? Or should I just go on to Rev to Rev for him? I do think that I should have just started him on CTC, but he seems to be keeping up pretty well, and doesn't have a problem with all the writing. It's more the critical thinking and reasoning through things he struggles with. I want to make sure he stays on track and doesn't get behind then frustrated jumping forward. Advice??? Thank you!

[Nealewill]

I think going backward as longs as you add in the extensions would be fine. CTC definitely fits into the category of 6th to 7th including extensions. And I wouldn't switch anything about it except whatever level math and grammar your child is on. I would use all of the other resources as they are written. With your child doing so well in Res to Ref, you could probably even have that child complete the Bible / Geography box alone.

[jenntracy]

I was just about to ask how people use CTC for a 6th grader. I had pretty much figured it out but it was nice to have confirmation.
With the extension package, do they just read? Do the storytime questions go along with the extension package if you choose to have them read the extension package instead of reading aloud the History Story Read Alouds? It says to do either the story-time read-louds OR the extension package. it also says you could do both. I am thinking that the extension pckage would be enough for a 6th grader without the history read-aloud? Also, for the DITHOR program, does the student finish the whole package if ordering a 6/7 book set from HOD? I see the reading is only scheduled 3x a week, unlike some of the younger programs. Is there scheduled lessons for the Rod and Staff in appendix if using the 6th grade book in CTC?

My kids have been in a christian classical school for the past 2 years on scholarships. They do Ancient Greece and Rome in 3rd grade. My son missed it since he started there in 4th grade. I am hoping to bring him home since he is older and is a good self-learner. He can probably stay with grandma and grandpa but he is old enough that if he had to be by himself some days, he could.. not that i like that.

I am finishing my EPI program for teacher certification in hopes of of eventually virtual teaching so that i can bring all my kids home again.
3 yrs ago i had to put them in school. i recently got divorced after almost 3 yrs of separation. live with my parents . trying to get high enough paying job to our home. (currently paraprofessional and it works with my family well without having to have childcare since we have most of the same days off).
Pray everyday that I will be able to bring them all home again , if it is the Lords will.
i know single parents with one income do homeschool. i have 4 kids. 4, 7, 10, and 11 1/2. We have missed HOD and homeschool so much.
Didn't mean to babble. Just excited to maybe be bringing at least 1 child home!

[Rice]

I was just about to ask how people use CTC for a 6th grader. I had pretty much figured it out but it was nice to have confirmation.
With the extension package, do they just read? Do the storytime questions go along with the extension package if you choose to have them read the extension package instead of reading aloud the History Story Read Alouds? It says to do either the story-time read-louds OR the extension package. it also says you could do both. I am thinking that the extension pckage would be enough for a 6th grader without the history read-aloud?

You would do CTC as written with the story time readalouds (History, Boy Interest or Girl Interest, though I suggest the History -they're great!). If you think they should have the Extensions then they read those separately and do the suggested narrations as stated in the Index with the Extension reading schedule (2 written, 1 notebooking, 1 oral each Unit). Of course, if they find that extra assignment each day too much then you could do it all orally. In other words, I wouldn't substitute the Extension books for the History read alouds or there would be no point, you'd just be switching one set of books for another, not increasing the work load to make it "up to grade level", KWIM? But, that said, you know your child best and what kind of a work load he can handle, so I would be tempted to start CTC half speed for a couple weeks and give him the first Extension book as a free read as you get used to the curriculum, then add the Extension narrations when he's handling the main curriculum well.

Also, for the DITHOR program, does the student finish the whole package if ordering a 6/7 book set from HOD? I see the reading is only scheduled 3x a week, unlike some of the younger programs.

No, they only do 4-5 genres/year unless you moved up to doing DITHOR every day. (I think that's why the book sets are 6/7 not just 6 and 7; unlike Level 2 and 3. They take 2 years to complete if done as written in the guide.)

Is there scheduled lessons for the Rod and Staff in appendix if using the 6th grade book in CTC.

No. She has schedules for Building With Diligence and Following the Plan in that guide. But if you do one assignment/lesson each time it's scheduled you'll be completing it on the right schedule.

Didn't mean to babble. Just excited to maybe be bringing at least 1 child home!

Thanks for sharing your story. I admire what you're doing for your children and yourself despite difficult circumstances! May God bless your plans to honour him!

[Susan G]

Great! yay! Thank y'all so much for the feedback!