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Hi All,
I am fairly new to HOD. I did use LHFHG with my dd back when it and LHTH were the only guides. Though I loved it, I was forced to move on. Now, my dc have been in a classical christian school for the past two years, and I'm ready to bring them home. While we plan on using Preparing with dd 10 and ds 9, I have a couple questions for my going to be 5th grade dd. Does the extension package for older children have questions and assignments like the deluxe package does? If so, are the questions and assignments more advanced? How challenging are the books in the extension package? Although my daughter reads on grade level, her teacher read Beorn the Proud aloud this year to her class, and dd thinks it will be too hard for her. Are the other books in that package as challenging? To give you an example of her level, she's reading Tirzah right now, and loves it. It's scheduled as a read aloud, but we already own it. Does anybody have any insight on a good substitution for Beorn the Proud? Her class read Leaf the Lucky this year, as well, so that's out. I guess I'm wondering if I should mix and match from the deluxe and extension packages for her depending on the books. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Deena

Hi Deena,

Welcome back to HOD. The extension back does not have questions, but most of the time you can use the questions in the storytime box for the extension books in the back (see Preparing first week sample). I think that you probably wouldn't need the extension package for her (unless is to substitute what she has already read, like "Tirzah"), that the books scheduled shouldn't be to easy. "Raiders from the Sea" is along the reading level of "Tirzah" so you should be fine with that. HTH

We're just finishing Preparing with two almost-10-year-olds and used a few of the extension books. The programs says it's for ages 9-11 and I think that's about right, even if you don't use the extension books. I did have my kids read a few of them just for enrichment and because they were able to. Some are more difficult than others. I found Beorn on the easier side, relative to the rest of the books in the extension package. I would say to try the program as written for both of them--you'll love it, by the way --and if you feel your older daughter needs more, you can get a few of the extension books from the library. Also, my kids loved Leif the Lucky. Maybe your daughter wouldn't mind reading it again a year later if she liked it the first time.

Enjoy the program!

Thanks for the advice. As I was waiting for suggestions, I decided to do the Preparing as is without the extension books. You would be shocked at how bad my library system is, though. It doesn't have one book from the extension pack. The reason dd thinks Beorn the Proud might be too hard, is because she said the teacher had some trouble with bigger words. So, she is now intimidated by the book. If dc like the Viking Quest book as a read aloud, I may just purchase the series. That should cover Leif the Lucky if she doesn't want to read it again.
I might be a little confused. Is the older 5th/6th extension pack supposed to replace the read alouds or is it supposed to replace the deluxe independent study?
Thanks again,
Deena

Hmmm. I'm not really sure. I thought it was just in addition to everything else, but I could be wrong.

Deena,

The ladies have done a terrific job of answering your questions. It sounds like you have a good plan in place for next year. The Extension Pack books are scheduled in the Appendix of Preparing Hearts, and it is suggested that the student respond to the extension pack readings by doing an oral narration twice a week, doing a written narration twice a week, and making a notebooking entry once a week. This is very Charlotte Masonish in its design.

The Extension Pack books are meant to be used instead of the Deluxe Package. The Deluxe Package is for a younger, less mature reader, and the Extension Pack is for an older more confident reader. The Basic Package books are for reading aloud and are recommended over even the Deluxe Package or the Extension Pack.

In any of our programs, the Economy Package items are considered essential. Next, most important are the choice items, and then next in importance is always the Basic Package items. All other packages come much further down the list in importance.

Clear as mud?

Blessings,
Carrie