CTC with extensions next year?

[sted]

Hi,
I'm planning on doing CTC with my daughter next year. She's currently doing Bigger w/extensions (in order to keep her with her younger sister) but next year will be 11 turning 12. Just wondering how I'll know if I should order the CTC extensions for her or stick to the regular program. What are the "signs" that she'd be ready for extentions for CTC or just stick with what's already there.

Thanks,
Shannon

[my3sons]

Hi Shannon! Since CTC covers the Ancients time period, I think it's important to consider your dd's sensitivity and maturity when choosing whether to use the extensions or not. Here are a few notes from the Introduction to CTC that may be helpful in your decision:

An Extension Package Schedule in the Appendix extends the area of history to
include more advanced independent reading material. This allows your older
students to learn along with your younger students. Due to the more mature
content of the books within the ancient time period – both in the violence that was
prevalent in this period and the depravity of worship of pagan gods – this extension
package is best suited for mature 6th and 7th graders who are strong, independent
readers.

A schedule of daily independent readings for these books is provided in the
Appendix of Hearts for Him Through Time: Creation to Christ. Books are at a
mid-sixth to upper seventh grade reading level. For very sensitive sixth or seventh
graders, or for those who are not yet strong readers, we recommend the Basic
Package Option 1 – History Set for the parent to read aloud instead.

I would also consider how strong of a reader your dd is, and how independently she could both read the extension package titles and do the extension package activities. If it looks like something that would stretch her too far - either due to a sensitive personality or due to her not being able to truly be independent with the reading/assignments - then I would not do it. If she is an excellent reader, can handle more mature Ancients content, and would thrive doing this independently, I'd definitely do it. Hope that helps!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Shannon,

My3sons gave you great advice. In all honesty, maturity and level of sensitivity will play as large of a role in deciding whether to use the Extension Pack as reading level will for CTC. This is due to the content of the books which, although we were careful to screen, can still be pretty tough in the ancient time period.

Blessings,
Carrie

[water2wine]

I made the same jump with my oldest this year from Bigger. It has worked well for us though I thought I would just share our experience so far. She is a young 7th grader and reads all the time. I felt like she was mature enough for the subject matter and also like she needed the push to strive just a little more in general with her school. My other kids closer in age are doing Preparing. I have my oldest listen in on Preparing so she gets that information as well. It's been going really well for her. One thing that I did to help the transition was make Bigger a little bit more independent as we went along sort of how Preparing is run. Also did some of the Preparing dictation with her so she would be ready for that. It's been working well for us. I was thinking today that Preparing would have worked for her as well if I had beefed it up a bit for her and that could easily been done. But for her she needed to the challenge of being separated from my kids that are younger so that she would strive for more age appropriate work. On the flip side I see my other kids really excelling with Preparing as well. I think the separation of 5th and 7th grade from each other is working well for us but I also think if we needed to combining in Preparing would have worked as well. Anyway not sure if that helps but just wanted share our experience in case it helps.