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We will be looking to finish up Bigger in about 2 months and I'm thinking ahead to what I should be getting for Preparing.
After looking at the book packages I know I want the Eco. and the Science, but I'm torn between the Hist. packages. My daughter will technically be in 5th grade, but doesn't like to read on her own (she is a really good reader). She will be beyond the "Newly Independent" readers, but the daughter coming behind her won't be ready for the extension readers. If I order the Eco. pkg with the Science and the Deluxe Hist. pkg., will this be enough for my oldest or do others of you recommend that I get the Extension Hist. package too? Any advice from those already using it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time!!!
AmyB

I'm sorry I had some of the terms wrong. I know I will be getting
Ecomnomy pkg., the science pkg. - what I need to know is if I should get the Basic Hist Read aloud pkg. and the Deluxe Hist. pkg, or if just one of them for my oldest daughter would be enough for her without overloading her.
Thanks!

Hi Amy! We are in the middle of PHFHG, and boy are you and your dc in for some fun! We're loving it. As far as your history question goes, I agree the younger dd would need the independent self-study history selections. As far as for your older dd, she could either also do those, or if you want to extend it more for her, she could read the extension package. The extension package is usually read independently by the child. However, if your dd doesn't seem to enjoy reading independently, do you have the time to read them aloud to her? I know some moms on the HOD board are doing that and enjoying it. Or maybe you could halve the assignment, with you reading the first half and her reading the second half on her own? I am thinking that as she gets older, she will take more and more of that over anyway - which is good. I know more moms will chime in here, but those are a few thoughts I had. Whatever you decide, I'm excited for you to begin PHFHG. It is a wonderful program.

In Christ,
Julie

Amy,

My3sons did a great job of tossing out options for you to consider when choosing Preparing packages. The moms on the board do such a good job of helping each other talk through ideas, don't they!

As far as my advice goes, I'm not quite understanding if only the 5th grader will be doing Preparing or if your other daughter will also be doing Preparing? I'm thinking that your 5th grader will be doing it first and then in later years your other daughter will be coming along to do it? So, basing my advice on that scenario, I'd say that if your 5th grade daughter doesn't enjoy reading, you could have her do the Deluxe Package, rather than the Extension Package. There's still a lot of content in there, and then you won't be fighting her.

If you're doing the Deluxe Package for your 5th grader, then it would also be a good idea to read-aloud the Basic Package books to her too. That way you'll have the correct level of coverage for a 5th grader. For what it's worth, I'd stick to DITHR as the time to challenge your daughter reading-wise and let her enjoy history.

Blessings,
Carrie

Hi Amy,

We are really loving Preparing! I am using it with my 11dd & my 8dd. I think you really want the economy,science,basic packages. I have to say we love the deluxe as well as it really enriches the program. Especially, the draw & write through history....that is a must buy! The extension is great too & I am using it with my 11dd & she enjoys it. She is an avid reader but tells me that she has so much reading to do sometimes... So, you might want to keep that in mind if reading a lot is not her thing. Also, if you like a book or 2 you can just buy those or get it from the library. Just an idea if you want to try some but not all. That is what I did with the extension. I couldn't afford all the books at the time so I ordered a few & plan to get the rest over time or check them out from my library.
If you need to know anything else just ask!
Hope this helps!