heartofdakota.com

Hi Ladies...
I got my CTC manual and oh wow..LOVE IT! I really wish finances had been better, I was only able to get the economy pkg, which has left me having to tweek the science, math, and language arts.

Ok so heres the plan for my dd-12:
Bible-both study and quiet time
All the history/left side
and the poetry will be done as TM instructs.

Now here's my tweeks..
Science we are using Answers in Genesis - God's Design series I've written a schedule using the Science Exploration as a my model.
Math Saxon finishing 65 and moving into 76
Language Arts-- Learning Language Arts Through Literature. (In place of DITHOR)
Applications of Grammar book 1 --paced like R&S, and for reinforcement of grammar skills
Ignite Your Writing 1 scheduled in place of Write with the Best (reluctant writer using IYW I to build better skills then move her into WWTB next year)

Ok, LLATL has 4 planned book studies in addition to its 36 lesson plans and works with dictation passages.
I don't have the money to buy into the extenstions or the basic history opt pkg. So what I thought about doing is using her book studies in the story time section. She will have to do indpendent reading, then meet with me the story time box instructions. My library has Cat of Bubastes as a book..no audio can be found.
Her first book study is Carry On Mr. Bowditch which will fit nicely into the biography portion and is scheduled for the first 4 units. Then I thought I could use Cat of Bubastes as a read aloud for units 5 - 7, and hopefully I will be able to purchase the other books by then.

What yall think?

Jasmine,

I'm so sorry I missed this! Since this is our brand new program and the guides just shipped last week, no one is really underway enough with this program to answer you except me! So, this is why there's no responses.

I'm so glad that you are enjoying your look through your CTC guide and are excited about the upcoming year. I'm happy that you have the Economy Package in hand as that will enable you to do much of the guide!

I have to admit I would love for you to have all of CTC, but I do know that finances and other goals come into play here. So with that said, your language arts and math coverage looks solid.

You can easily begin your storytime as you've mapped out. One thing you may wish to consider is that we actually schedule the abridged audio version of Cat of Bubastes, so you may wear out reading the actual full-length Henty version of Cat of Bubastes. You'll have to see what you think.

As funds allow, I know you'll enjoy any of the read-alouds and extensions you can get in your hands! We pray that you'll enjoy CTC and will enjoy sharing the journey through it with you!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you Carrie!

I really appreciate the feed back, I'm one who "thinks out loud" so having ppl hear to be a sounding board has been wonderful.
We made it through our first day today, it was a bit long because we had to break to go to a dr.'s appt. I have to say it was awesome though to make it through the day and accomplish everything on both sides! Kasey read 4 chapters of her independent reading with no hitches, though we have to work at oral narration.
It was so neat to be able to use the bible study as a family reading, sharing His Word together! Nothing can be more precious and keepsake as time together as a family.
Thank you again!

Have you used LLATL before? If not - and I understand finances are an issue - DITHR is hands down a MUCH better reading program than LLATL. My son did LLATL last year and it fell short for us. DITHR digs deep - not only into the book, but into the characters, the Godly traits, you name it. My oldest son has grown by leaps and bounds in just this first genre using DITHR. If you can swing it, or buy used (or sell LLATL and buy DITHR), I would highly recommend it.

Otherwise, your plan looks great.

Rebecca,

We've been using LLATL since the yellow book, and she seems to have done pretty well with it. This year we are using the Tan Book- which is meant for 6th grade, but I think it can do for a struggling 7th. It has places where it encourages more independent work from the student. Kasey is not one who loves to read, so seeing her yesterday read as much as she did, I was praising God! Right now as far as LA goes, one little step at a time. I'm looking towards tax time next year to purchase into next year's HOD, and it will include DITHOR.
Thank you so much for your advice and concerns.
You ladies have been so awesome! I love knowing God's Hand moves even here!