Ordering Rest of Preparing??

[DHT1999]

I'm getting ready to order the rest of the books that I will need for Preparing for next year. This will be for my son who will be a 5th grader. My younger son will be doing LHFHG, so there isn't any combining going on.

My understanding is that I should have my 5th grader read the books in the Extension Package rather than those in the Deluxe Package. Just want to make sure those aren't read in addition to those in the Deluxe Package. He loves to read and wouldn't complain about doing both. I just want to confirm that I am understanding the recommendations for a 5th grader. I'm thinking I would atleast like him to use the Draw and Write Through History book and The Young Christians Intro. to the Bible from the Deluxe package. Also, I want to use the Mozart book with the optional CD. We have read most of the other books in the Deluxe package already. Could I just choose the ones we have not read (those I have mentioned here) and add those along with the titles in the Extension Package??

Other than that, I'd like to know if I should order the two recommended Aesop's Fables books. Would it work just as well to substitute something else for one of those? He is very familiar with Aesop already but he won't mind reading the fables again. We have not used either of the recommended versions (we used Milo Winter's). If one is sufficient, is one preferable to the other?

Thanks for any info.

[kayben]

Yes, you are correct. The extension package is in place of the deluxe package for the older students.. I will be using this program in the fall! extensions for my 6th grader and deluxe for my 3rd grader. These are independent History books. I am looking forward to the Independent part! Glad to hear others are going to be on the same journey!

Rebecca

[my3sons]

Yes, you have that all exactly right! I think you could easily have your older ds just do the deluxe titles you mentioned he hasn't done yet, and I'm sure he would love them as much as my ds did. As far as the Aesop's Fables, I'd get them both. The deluxe one is written with a younger reader in mind, with more pictures and less stories. The extension package one is written for the more mature reader, with very few pictures and more stories. HTH! We just finished PHFHG and LHFHG last year - you are going to have such a great time with those 2 programs!

In Christ,
Julie

[srp1997]

O.K. I feel like I am eavesdropping here. Are you all saying that the box that says "Independent History Study" is not for the extension student? We treated the extension package for Bigger as an add-on. I thought the extension package in Preparing was also an add-on instead of a substitution. Both the "Independent History Package" (deluxe package?) and the Extension work (extension package) look great. If this is indeed true, I have some questions.

For my older student, should I definitely plan to do the extension package, and then fit in interesting "Independent History" activities as I can? Would the "Draw and Write Through History" books be a good add-on to the extensions? Is there a different "Draw and Write Through History" that would fit better with the extension readings?

Or, should we definitely try to do the "Independent History" activities and supplement with Extension package stuff?

Thank you for clearing up my confusion .
Sarah

[my3sons]

O.K. I feel like I am eavesdropping here. Are you all saying that the box that says "Independent History Study" is not for the extension student? We treated the extension package for Bigger as an add-on. I thought the extension package in Preparing was also an add-on instead of a substitution. Both the "Independent History Package" (deluxe package?) and the Extension work (extension package) look great. If this is indeed true, I have some questions.

For my older student, should I definitely plan to do the extension package, and then fit in interesting "Independent History" activities as I can? Would the "Draw and Write Through History" books be a good add-on to the extensions? Is there a different "Draw and Write Through History" that would fit better with the extension readings?

Or, should we definitely try to do the "Independent History" activities and supplement with Extension package stuff?

Thank you for clearing up my confusion .
Sarah

The Independent History Study box uses the books in the Self-Study Deluxe Package for the Newly Independent Reader. This is for the target ages of 8-10. The Self-Study Extension Package for Older Students has a schedule and suggested follow-up assignments in the PHFHG Appendix. This is for dc ages 11-12 to read and do independently.

For your older student, you would do the Extension Package as it is with the suggested activities, rotating them as the Appendix suggests. Many ladies still have their older child do the Draw and Write Through History book, just because it's so neat! You would probably not have your older do the rest of the Independent History Study box, since the extension package is more than enough.

In Christ,
Julie

[juliekay]

Are you all saying that the box that says "Independent History Study" is not for the extension student? We treated the extension package for Bigger as an add-on. I thought the extension package in Preparing was also an add-on instead of a substitution. Both the "Independent History Package" (deluxe package?) and the Extension work (extension package) look great. If this is indeed true, I have some questions.

For my older student, should I definitely plan to do the extension package, and then fit in interesting "Independent History" activities as I can? Would the "Draw and Write Through History" books be a good add-on to the extensions? Is there a different "Draw and Write Through History" that would fit better with the extension readings?

Or, should we definitely try to do the "Independent History" activities and supplement with Extension package stuff?
Sarah

Sarah, I am right with you! I was bit confused and panicked for a just a moment!
You need all the History ( Economy) Science, History Read- Alouds (Basic). Now you choose either the Self Study Deluxe for your 3rd or 4th grader OR AND Extensions for your children in 5th, 6th and above...Please stop me now if I am wrong!!

I have one doing the Deluxe and two doing the Extensions. I agree with you, the Draw and Write looks wonderful. There's actually 4 in the series that takes your through History. I decided to purchase the first 3 books to have here as a resource for all of my children doing Preparing as they LOVE to draw during our Read-Aloud times. I also purchased Project Book Notebooks for my children. It has half-lined page for writing and drawing for written narration. I will have one for all 3 boys but really it's the two older ones that really need to be doing written narration.

It looks like each child doing Preparing will also need a Common Place Book (suggested lined composition book) However, I have chosen a 5x8 notebook that again has half-lined pages for writing and the other half (above) for drawing. Many times my children can better express themselves through a drawing than written words. Or a combination of the two. This size also fits nicely into their Bible Cover/holder and I am praying that it will become a habit to use as they mature physically and spiritually. I am sure this is what Carrie intended when she wrote the curriculum!

[DHT1999]

[
The Independent History Study box uses the books in the Self-Study Deluxe Package for the Newly Independent Reader. This is for the target ages of 8-10. The Self-Study Extension Package for Older Students has a schedule and suggested follow-up assignments in the PHFHG Appendix. This is for dc ages 11-12 to read and do independently.

In Christ,
Julie

This is just what is confusing me. I've seen the Deluxe Package recommended for 8-10 year old, but also have seen the Extension Package recommended for 5th graders. I have a 10 year old 5th grader!! So, I just wasn't clear on what would be best. He is a strong reader but the Deluxe Package looked tempting since the guide does schedule it in that little box!!

I do think he'll do well with the Extension Package though I wasn't so sure after I pre-read a bit of Shakespeare Stealer. He can definately handle the reading level but the content seemed pretty mature... the black-hooded figure that kept coming up... I'm just not sure how my son will relate to that kind of thing. He is a strong reader but he's probably a little on the immature side when it comes to anything scary or strange. I know the overall tone of the book is not scary but I don't think he's gonna go for the mystery figure... for example, we tried to read Summer of the Monkeys awhile back and he literally freaked out over the old man figure that was clearly some sort of supernatural manifestation... though we didn't finish the book, so I'm not real clear on what that was all about.

[srp1997]

DHT1999,

I also have two ds 10 and 7 (eight soon). Like you, we will be doing Preparing as written for one and with extensions with the other. Honestly, I could probably do it as written with both, but I want to make sure I am challenging my older. If there is a book, like you mentioned, that he doesn't jive with then we'll just jump to the deluxe until the new book begins in Extensions. I think he will enjoy doing a higher level than his brother. Based on the "preread extension books" post which I know we both read, I guess I will come up with a schedule for my older ds that is opposite his younger brother. So on days younger is reporting to me, older will be narrating or drawing and vice versa. I do plan on getting at least one of the other Draw and Write books for older. It might be nice if they are not comparing their art, so I think I will give them separate assignments.

I love it when a plan comes together!
Sarah

[Carrie]

Donna,

The wonderful thing about HOD is that each family can customize it to best fit their kiddo's specific needs. So, from what you've shared about your son, I'd lean toward having him do the Deluxe Package books (which are gentler content-wise) and follow the plans within the Independent History Box, which will also help him gain skills in independence. You can challenge him through his book selections for DITHR instead. My second son is much gentler than my first son, and they read (and feel comfortable) with completely different books. So, it is important to weigh that when finding the best fit for your son.

Blessings,
Carrie

[DHT1999]

Thank you, Carrie!