Help! New with Lots of Questions

[bibsandmegs]

We have been homeschooling for three years. For the past two years, we have used Sonlight for history and science. My children like it, and I do too, but it's too light. I have a 10 year old (5th grader next year) and a 12 year old (7th grader next year) as well as a couple of high schoolers (a question relating to them in another post to come). For the past two years, these younger two have done everything together, and I mean everything. The younger one is very advanced! They do the same math, the same grammar, everything. The older one is average, but is hesitant when it comes to writing. He will do it, but it's not his favorite. I want to push it a little more this next year in order to develop it a little more. One of the things I like about HOD is the writing involved in each area of study.

I've spent a ton of time reviewing the website, the catalog, and reading many posts on this board. At this point, I'd like some outside opinions. I'm leaning toward CtC for history for the younger two for next year with extensions. We've done a pretty thorough job of hitting American history the past two years. In addition, due to the fact that the older one doesn't like writing too much, I thought this would be a good way to get his feet wet without overdoing it. I've read all that is recommended in the placement chart and feel this is a good fit. They are both extremely strong readers and used to doing tons of it. We go through books like crazy in this house. I would love some feedback on what others think of this choice.

Now, here is where it gets tricky. I want to do science with HOD as well. However, I'm not thrilled about the science that goes with CtC. The main reason is that we are currently doing a history of medicine study, and a study of animals would not go over well with my science loving son (the older of the two). I really like the looks of the science that goes with RtR. It is my understanding that I can't mix and match (so to speak) for science because the science notebook pages and the schedule come with the main package. Is this correct? Assuming this to be the case, does anyone have any suggestions? Are there any other science curriculum out there that use books and notebooks like this? I've looked, but haven't found one.

Finally, I have a quick question about DITHOR. Do I understand correctly that the basic premise is to read books within each genre, not necessarily the books listed? I ask this because we've read several of the books listed. I'm wondering if I can substitute in my own selections as long as they are within the same genre.

I so appreciate everyone's help with this. Thank you so much!

-Lisa

[Nealewill]

I do think it is tricky to use a science from one guide and history from another guide.

I do have a question for you though about writing. When you say they don't like to write, can you elaboration what writing they have previously done? Do you think they could grow into the writing in R2R? My oldest is doing CTC this year and will be doing R2R next year. I have the package at home for R2R and it honestly doesn't seem like it is a ton more writing when compared with CTC. The narrations are little bit longer and there is a weekly post card she will write out about a place - she has to research the place and write a small post card about it. For Shakespeare the writing is copy work I think. So I guess I am wondering how much writing your children currently do because maybe they would be ready for the writing in R2R. As for my kids - they don't necessarily love writing either but they have adjusted to the flow of it. So it has worked out fine. Even my son who is 8, he hates writing. But he does all the writing in his guide (to me it seems like a lot at times) and he never complains. Grammar is done very orally and could be done together if you wanted. You could do the intermediate IEW for the older child and the lower level for the younger child. But you would still use the same book. Even the s

[Jennymommy]

Hi Lisa You could so RtR science with CTC...you will need the RtR guide for the schedule, but the notebooking pages do not cover science, so no problem. If you do RtR next year, you would ask for a discount on the package since you already bought the guide. Maybe you plan to continue in this fashion, doing the next years science? For DITHOR, yes, you can certainly use your own books for each genre. Definitely spend time with the guides after ordering and get to know them well so you can get the most from the curriculum. Blessings

[bibsandmegs]

Daneale-

Thank you for your reply. He is in an online English class that requires essays of three to four paragraphs so he's capable of writing. It's just like pulling teeth at times. He also does grammar and any associated writing with that. As for doing RtR instead of CtC, I thought about that, but I'd really like to get both CtC and RtR in before high school.

-Lisa

[bibsandmegs]

Jennymommy-

Thank you for your reply. I'm a little confused as it indicates in the RtR description in the catalog that the students create notebooking pages and written narations (Page 59 in the new catalog). Are these just pages that they create on their own? Thank you for the info on DITHOR!

-Lisa

[Jennymommy]

Lisa, they do create their own science notebooks. We used blank sketchboos. The beautiful notebooking pages that Carrie provides are for the history/geography segments.

[Jennymommy]

Also, there are reproducible lab forms in the appendix, as well as all the dictation passages and narration tips, etc.

[Rice]

My son in Preparing is doing CTC science this year. Science is not connected to any other subjects so this works well, with the main drawbacks being: 1) the need to purchase the second guide (which, as already mentioned can still be used as part of the package the following year if you go to that level for the other subjects) and 2) the need for them to be handling two guides each day.

One thing I do to help with the second problem is to write CTC on a sticky note which we place on his science box in Preparing so he doesn't accidentally read (and do!) that assignment instead of checking the other guide. (Of course, your son may have no problem with it - my son in Preparing has some Executive Functioning issues so keeping track of that is a stumbling block, but your son would likely cue in to the fact that it is on a different topic, where my son does not.)

Next year he will be in CTC and I will have to decide if he will do RTR science or something else (since he's already used a few of those books and will be Grade , so you will not be the only one using science in a different guide moving forward.

Welcome to HOD!
Blessings,

[Nealewill]

Oh, okay - I see. CTC has been a fantastic year for us. Very interesting and we have loved it.

Like Jennymommy said, you could use the science from R2R if you wanted with CTC. But the risk you run is that your day won't be quite as balanced. Since I haven't quite completed R2R yet, I am not sure of the flow of activities but it may be very similar. I know in CTC, day 1 there is a notebooking page. Day 2 is oral narration. Day 3 is answering questions (R2R uses written narrations instead of answering questions I think but could be wrong). And then Day 4 is a science experiment. They read every day for science. If R2R follows the same pattern, then you won't have any trouble using science from the higher guide with history from the lower guide.

[bibsandmegs]

Thank you everyone for all the information! It is really helpful to hear others experiences.

Thank you again!

-Lisa