Dictation and other questions in Preparing/CTC

[patekake]

I thought I had my mind made up on which curriculum I would use next year for my 6th grade daughter (next fall) but I find myself going back and forth between Preparing and CTC. Looking at the placement chart, it looks like she would fit into CTC; however she has never been exposed to dictation except for a couple of sentences each week on her spelling tests. Today, I decided to try a little dictation from a Little House book. I followed the guidelines for giving dictation from what I had read on the Board one day in one of my many readings. The dictation paragraph was written in beautiful cursive, her spelling was all correct, but she did miss one comma and omitted two small words. I have not seen any HOD manual so I do not know the difficulty level of the dictation passages. Based on our trial today, could someone give me advice as to where she would place in the dictation area?
I must say I was a little concerned when I mentioned to her that spelling would be done through dictation next year and she responded with an unfavorable sigh and the comment that I am taking away one of her favorite subjects. She is resistant to change in general but usually will accept it if I am positive about it.
One other question I have is about writing (compositions). She does not like to write papers at all; however, she is usually proud of her work when she finishes it. We have been using Apologia's Jump In this year. I have always required much in this area since her oldest sister won scholarships to pay for college (in its entirety) with her papers that she had written. I am afraid that I have left off the freedom of being creative with her writings in pursuit of working with the mechanics and learning how to write different types of papers (persuasive, opinion, cause and effect, etc.) If I choose to do Preparing with the emphasis on creativity, would I be going backwards in writing the different types of papers and/or should I supplement with a writing course? Then on the other hand, if I choose CTC, am I going to continue to leave out the creativity of writing? Will it make her dislike writing even more?
Her grammar skills, I feel, are a strong point. She really likes to diagram sentences and can do this really well. She placed in the high school level in the area of grammar on her achievement test last month. I have R & S 5 and it looks very similar to what she has studied this year. If we went with Preparing, should I choose a different Grammar other than R & S and save R & S 5 for CTC? I think R & S 4 would be a step backwards for her. I do have on hand CLE 6, though.
I know my questions are clear as mud and I have asked a lot of them. I would appreciate any voices of experience that could help me with my decisions on dictation, writing and grammar. The most important question to me, though, is the one concerning the dictation.
Thanks,
Patti

[Carrie]

Patti,

I would still continue on with your original plan to use CTC. Your daughter will grow into the dictation passages, and 3 levels will be provided from which to choose in the CTC Appendix. I would expect her to place in the middle level for starters. I do think that Write with the Best will bring out the creativity you are seeking within writing and will be a lighter approach than what you've been doing.

My oldest son does not like change either, even if it is for the better. I agree that it's best to just be positive about it, and accept that she's not going to love the change to dictation. However, it will be an excellent way for her to focus on entire passages, rather than words in isolation. It also helps kiddo's listening skills, as we're not to repeat the phrases more than once as we dictate them.

I would use Rod and Staff English 5 along with CTC, unless you deeply desire to use something else. However, Rod and Staff does include writing instruction along with the grammar, so if you replace it you'll want to consider that.

Blessings,
Carrie

[patekake]

Carrie:

Thank you so very much for your kind response. You have answered my questions completely. I thank God for the gift that He has given you to write such awesome curriculum. Thank you for blessing so many with your gift!

Patti