Hi!
I have been studying your catalog and have read most everything on your website! It all looks marvelous.
I am considering using Preparing for my 11yo son (will be 12 in Dec). He reads and comprehends very well, enjoys reading, devours many books, narrates well, but we haven't done much written narrations at all. Looks like Preparing will help us in that area.
I'm trying to figure out how to order.
I understand everything except: #3 DITHR, #7 Basic Pkg (read-alouds), #8 Deluxe Pkg (for independent reading for 3rd/4th grade), and #9 Extension Pkg (for independent reading for mid-fifth to upper 7th) and how these possibly relate to one another.
Since my son is 5th grade, would I need all of the above? I am trying to economize and am wondering what is the order of importance of the above mentioned packages.
Do I need #3 and #7? Do I need #8 and #9 or just one or the other? and if only need one, which would you advise? I was thinking #9 since he is 11.
Can I have him use the books from Basic Pkg with DITHR? or use the books from #7 or #8 or #9 with DITHR?
Also, I'm trying to determine which level he would need for DITHR.
Thanks for your help!
Donna Jo
How To Order Preparing Packages
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smithdonnajo
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:42 am
- Location: Alabama
How To Order Preparing Packages
Donna Jo
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
Hi, Donna Jo! I will try to help you out! I hope I don't confuse you! I am using Preparing this year with my 5th grade son. He sounds just like your son. He has always loved to read and could narrate very well. He probably could have used the next guide up this year but he really needed to work on his written narrations. So, I choose to place him into Preparing. It has been a wonderful fit for him. He now is writing very, very good narrations with no difficulty. Believe me, this is a BIG deal in our house! It means he will be well prepared for the next guide.
You will order:
The Economy Package - that includes your main history books and your Teacher's Manual - you will read those books aloud to your son. Even if your son can read them for himself, you will probably want to read them to him because you use those books to help him with his written narrations. The TM will guide you through that process.
The Science Add On Set - your son will read those books for himself and complete the assignments mostly on his own.
The History Read-Alouds - these are the books that you will read to your son for a Daily Storytime. You just read them and enjoy them. There aren't really any assignments with those, not that I can recall. You do discuss them a bit. We LOVE these books.
Self-Study Extension Package - these books are for the older children and not everyone who uses Preparing will use them. I did order them for my son because he does love to read. These are books your son will read on his own and they are scheduled in the back of your TM, in the appendix. My son just reads them and orally tells me what he read. That's his only assignment with those books.
Self-Study Deluxe History Package for the Newly Independent Reader - these books are scheduled daily in the main part of your lesson plans. You may or may not elect to use them. If your son does the Self-Study Extension Package, you could skip these. My son is reading these and I choose not to skip them because these books, if used as scheduled in your guide, have assignments connected to them. I wanted him to learn to use the guide on his own. Read the box that contains these assignments, read the books, do the assignment that goes with them... on his own. That is one of the ways that this guide trains your child to use the next guide even more independently. So, my son reads those books on his own and does his assignments on his own.
You will order:
The Economy Package - that includes your main history books and your Teacher's Manual - you will read those books aloud to your son. Even if your son can read them for himself, you will probably want to read them to him because you use those books to help him with his written narrations. The TM will guide you through that process.
The Science Add On Set - your son will read those books for himself and complete the assignments mostly on his own.
The History Read-Alouds - these are the books that you will read to your son for a Daily Storytime. You just read them and enjoy them. There aren't really any assignments with those, not that I can recall. You do discuss them a bit. We LOVE these books.
Self-Study Extension Package - these books are for the older children and not everyone who uses Preparing will use them. I did order them for my son because he does love to read. These are books your son will read on his own and they are scheduled in the back of your TM, in the appendix. My son just reads them and orally tells me what he read. That's his only assignment with those books.
Self-Study Deluxe History Package for the Newly Independent Reader - these books are scheduled daily in the main part of your lesson plans. You may or may not elect to use them. If your son does the Self-Study Extension Package, you could skip these. My son is reading these and I choose not to skip them because these books, if used as scheduled in your guide, have assignments connected to them. I wanted him to learn to use the guide on his own. Read the box that contains these assignments, read the books, do the assignment that goes with them... on his own. That is one of the ways that this guide trains your child to use the next guide even more independently. So, my son reads those books on his own and does his assignments on his own.
2011-2012: Creation to Christ & Bigger Hearts
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children." - Psalm 113:9
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children." - Psalm 113:9
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
Sorry, I had to do two posts because the computer did something weird.
DITHOR - maybe Carrie will chime in when she has a moment to help you with placement. I choose to have my son do the workbook at the 2/3 Level but the books that he reads are at a 5th grader or higher reading level. I did not buy a set of books to use with DITHOR. I either use a library book, or something I already have on hand here at the house, or buy something interesting as we go. I choose the 2/3 workbook because I didn't want to overwhelm him with writing. About half way through this year, he made a huge leap and now he really probably should be doing the next level up workbook but we are finishing up what we started.
If you are trying to economize, you may not need both the Self-Study Extension Package (the books for the oldest students, scheduled in the back of your TM) and the Self-
Study History Package for the Newly Independent Reader. I guess which one you choose would depend on your goals for this year for your child. I wanted my son to learn to be independent with how the guide is laid out, so the books for the Newly Independent Reader helps with that as you have assignments to go along with them. I consider the Self-Study Extension Package to be "extras" and if anything doesn't get done, it would be those books. So far, though, he has kept up with the reading and loved the books.
To economize, I have staggered my purchases. You do not have to purchase all of your books at once. I purchased everything I needed up to about the time of Columbus and now I'm buying those books for the rest of the school year.
I hope that helps some. Sorry I didn't list the books according to a #. I used the titles from the website book store. I believe they are the same in the catalog. It looks like alot and may feel overwhelming but when you get your TM you will see how it all fits together. I hope you love it as much as we do!!
DITHOR - maybe Carrie will chime in when she has a moment to help you with placement. I choose to have my son do the workbook at the 2/3 Level but the books that he reads are at a 5th grader or higher reading level. I did not buy a set of books to use with DITHOR. I either use a library book, or something I already have on hand here at the house, or buy something interesting as we go. I choose the 2/3 workbook because I didn't want to overwhelm him with writing. About half way through this year, he made a huge leap and now he really probably should be doing the next level up workbook but we are finishing up what we started.
If you are trying to economize, you may not need both the Self-Study Extension Package (the books for the oldest students, scheduled in the back of your TM) and the Self-
Study History Package for the Newly Independent Reader. I guess which one you choose would depend on your goals for this year for your child. I wanted my son to learn to be independent with how the guide is laid out, so the books for the Newly Independent Reader helps with that as you have assignments to go along with them. I consider the Self-Study Extension Package to be "extras" and if anything doesn't get done, it would be those books. So far, though, he has kept up with the reading and loved the books.
To economize, I have staggered my purchases. You do not have to purchase all of your books at once. I purchased everything I needed up to about the time of Columbus and now I'm buying those books for the rest of the school year.
I hope that helps some. Sorry I didn't list the books according to a #. I used the titles from the website book store. I believe they are the same in the catalog. It looks like alot and may feel overwhelming but when you get your TM you will see how it all fits together. I hope you love it as much as we do!!
2011-2012: Creation to Christ & Bigger Hearts
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children." - Psalm 113:9
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children." - Psalm 113:9
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smithdonnajo
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:42 am
- Location: Alabama
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
Donna, Thanks so much for replying! Great to hear you son and my son are similar in skills. First of all, you didn’t confuse me at all, thanks for helping.
Neat idea to use DITHR level 2/3 to shorten his writing requirements! I never would have thought to do that, since he is 11yo, but doing that should help us a lot. He gets stressed with being required to write a lot, due to bad pencil grip, his hand gets tired (we are working on that). He has used HWOT all along, and finished the cursive book a few months ago. He hates cursive, so I gave him a choice of learning Italic cursive and he wanted to do that, so he is in Italic Book D now.
What level books are you using with DITHR? I like your idea of using your own books or library books for it. But, what grade level reading books to you let him use? My son is a good reader, and can read on a 6th and up reading level. Or, could the Basic, Deluxe, or Extension books be used with DITHR?
As far as the packages, thanks for explaining the way you did. I’ve looked at the sample pages online for the weekly unit layouts.
I too, want my son to learn to use the guide to do his assignments in a more independent way, so I think I would need to get the Self-Study History Pkg (called Deluxe Pkg in the catalog). Are these the resources that are used in the “Independent History Study” box in the TG?
About the History Read-Alouds (called Basic pkg in catalog), are these used in the “Storytime” box in the TG? I’d like to know more about that box in the TG. I looked at the online pages for week one, looks like these are used to enjoy, as you said, for deepening the understanding of the history period, and for once a week oral narrations, which are so important. What other type skills are taught in the Storytime box?
So, it looks like, if I’m trying to economize, the thing to skip would be the Extension Pkg. Or perhaps, I can add in a few books from the Extension Pkg later in the program, say halfway through the year or so.
Finally, staggering the purchases is a great idea. I want to do that. How can I know which books are used, lets say, for the 1st 12 weeks? Maybe I need to order just the TG for now, look it over, then order the books for weeks 1-12 after I see the TG?
Another thing…. Being new here, I first posted my question in the Preparing section of the Archived messages, and now I don’t think I needed to do that.
Thanks so much for your help.
Donna Jo
Neat idea to use DITHR level 2/3 to shorten his writing requirements! I never would have thought to do that, since he is 11yo, but doing that should help us a lot. He gets stressed with being required to write a lot, due to bad pencil grip, his hand gets tired (we are working on that). He has used HWOT all along, and finished the cursive book a few months ago. He hates cursive, so I gave him a choice of learning Italic cursive and he wanted to do that, so he is in Italic Book D now.
What level books are you using with DITHR? I like your idea of using your own books or library books for it. But, what grade level reading books to you let him use? My son is a good reader, and can read on a 6th and up reading level. Or, could the Basic, Deluxe, or Extension books be used with DITHR?
As far as the packages, thanks for explaining the way you did. I’ve looked at the sample pages online for the weekly unit layouts.
I too, want my son to learn to use the guide to do his assignments in a more independent way, so I think I would need to get the Self-Study History Pkg (called Deluxe Pkg in the catalog). Are these the resources that are used in the “Independent History Study” box in the TG?
About the History Read-Alouds (called Basic pkg in catalog), are these used in the “Storytime” box in the TG? I’d like to know more about that box in the TG. I looked at the online pages for week one, looks like these are used to enjoy, as you said, for deepening the understanding of the history period, and for once a week oral narrations, which are so important. What other type skills are taught in the Storytime box?
So, it looks like, if I’m trying to economize, the thing to skip would be the Extension Pkg. Or perhaps, I can add in a few books from the Extension Pkg later in the program, say halfway through the year or so.
Finally, staggering the purchases is a great idea. I want to do that. How can I know which books are used, lets say, for the 1st 12 weeks? Maybe I need to order just the TG for now, look it over, then order the books for weeks 1-12 after I see the TG?
Another thing…. Being new here, I first posted my question in the Preparing section of the Archived messages, and now I don’t think I needed to do that.
Thanks so much for your help.
Donna Jo
Donna Jo
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smithdonnajo
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:42 am
- Location: Alabama
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
oops. I see now, with DITHR, you said you are using level 2/3 with books on 5th grade or higher reading level. I might try that!
Donna Jo
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smithdonnajo
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:42 am
- Location: Alabama
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
Donna,
I just realized, you are from Alabama. Me Too! I'm in Montgomery. Thanks for your help. I think I've now got it figured out enough to order what we need to get through the first couple of weeks, then I can order more after I see the TG. I want to get DITHR level 2/3, but I'm going to wait and add that in after we get a few weeks under our belts.
The only question I have now is, which book is used 2nd and 3rd in the Independent History Study Box on the left side of the page? I see in the online sample pages, Draw and Write is used first.
I'm itching to order. I've got stuff in my cart already, just waiting to push the submit button.
Thanks!
Donna Jo
I just realized, you are from Alabama. Me Too! I'm in Montgomery. Thanks for your help. I think I've now got it figured out enough to order what we need to get through the first couple of weeks, then I can order more after I see the TG. I want to get DITHR level 2/3, but I'm going to wait and add that in after we get a few weeks under our belts.
The only question I have now is, which book is used 2nd and 3rd in the Independent History Study Box on the left side of the page? I see in the online sample pages, Draw and Write is used first.
I'm itching to order. I've got stuff in my cart already, just waiting to push the submit button.
Thanks!
Donna Jo
Donna Jo
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
hey there!
i am using preparing with my 11ds this year for 5th grade and absolutely love it. i want you to be able to hit send so here goes...
draw and write through history
noah's ark, noah's flood
will get you through the first 4 weeks.
starting week 5 you will use the 5,000-year-old puzzle
starting week 9 you will need trojan horse
hope that's enough detail to get you going. you are making a very wise decision. you don't want to skip anything the guide has scheduled. it is just all so rich and wonderful!
kelli
i am using preparing with my 11ds this year for 5th grade and absolutely love it. i want you to be able to hit send so here goes...
draw and write through history
noah's ark, noah's flood
will get you through the first 4 weeks.
starting week 5 you will use the 5,000-year-old puzzle
starting week 9 you will need trojan horse
hope that's enough detail to get you going. you are making a very wise decision. you don't want to skip anything the guide has scheduled. it is just all so rich and wonderful!
kelli
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smithdonnajo
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:42 am
- Location: Alabama
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
Donna Jo, I'm so glad you got the info. you needed to place your order! That is fantastic. I just know you are going to be thrilled with the books!
Do you plan to start this next fall? If so, you will have plenty of time to get to know your guide and decide how you need to plan out your book purchases. If at all possible, I HIGHLY recommend that you get the Usborne Internet-Linked Ancient World book from the Extension Package set. You won't need it until Week 4 but it is scheduled through Week 17. The content that it adds for that time-period is so good. Even if you don't get any other books from the Extension Package, do try to get that one. I think your son will enjoy it. It adds content and the pictures are interesting.
You had asked about the books I choose for DITHOR... when I ordered DITHOR I also ordered the book list that goes with it. You don't have to order that but it's not very expensive. I have been using that list to make books choices plus there are a couple of books that I just looked at and could tell were appropriate for him... not really sure of the reading level, I could just tell they looked about right.
I live in Baldwin County so we are almost neighbors!! Did you know HOD will be at a convention in Atlanta next month? I don't think I'm going to be able to go. I'm disappointed. I had hoped I'd be able to. You are pretty close so I thought I'd mention it!!
Best wishes! Please let us know what you think when you get your box. I just got my Creation to Christ TM in the mail this morning. It is wonderful wonderful wonderful. I am so excited, even though we still have plenty to do this year.
Do you plan to start this next fall? If so, you will have plenty of time to get to know your guide and decide how you need to plan out your book purchases. If at all possible, I HIGHLY recommend that you get the Usborne Internet-Linked Ancient World book from the Extension Package set. You won't need it until Week 4 but it is scheduled through Week 17. The content that it adds for that time-period is so good. Even if you don't get any other books from the Extension Package, do try to get that one. I think your son will enjoy it. It adds content and the pictures are interesting.
You had asked about the books I choose for DITHOR... when I ordered DITHOR I also ordered the book list that goes with it. You don't have to order that but it's not very expensive. I have been using that list to make books choices plus there are a couple of books that I just looked at and could tell were appropriate for him... not really sure of the reading level, I could just tell they looked about right.
I live in Baldwin County so we are almost neighbors!! Did you know HOD will be at a convention in Atlanta next month? I don't think I'm going to be able to go. I'm disappointed. I had hoped I'd be able to. You are pretty close so I thought I'd mention it!!
Best wishes! Please let us know what you think when you get your box. I just got my Creation to Christ TM in the mail this morning. It is wonderful wonderful wonderful. I am so excited, even though we still have plenty to do this year.
2011-2012: Creation to Christ & Bigger Hearts
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children." - Psalm 113:9
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children." - Psalm 113:9
-
smithdonnajo
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:42 am
- Location: Alabama
Re: How To Order Preparing Packages
Donna,
Thanks for that info about the Usborne book! I'll take a look at it and decide about it. I already have Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, I wonder if it would work just as well....
About DITHR, thank you for the tip about the reading list. I looked and it is only $5 so I will get it when I order DITHR.
When will we start HOD? I want to go ahead and start it as soon as it comes in and I have a chance to look it over and get the binder, index cards, and composition books ready. I continue homeschooling through summer, just slow it down a bit. Things have been pretty disorganized here and I want to get structure back as soon as possible. We've been doing well with all subjects except LA and math (the basics!) I think the structure of Preparing will help me with that!
Yes, I knew that HOD would be at GHEA convention, but I won't get to go to it. I've heard good things about GHEA and that it is an awesome convention, but I've never been.
Glad you got your CTC and that you like it! I'll be looking here or on your blog for posts of how it's going. You have an absolutely awesome blog!
Thanks Donna! Thanks to Kelli too!
Donna Jo
Thanks for that info about the Usborne book! I'll take a look at it and decide about it. I already have Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, I wonder if it would work just as well....
About DITHR, thank you for the tip about the reading list. I looked and it is only $5 so I will get it when I order DITHR.
When will we start HOD? I want to go ahead and start it as soon as it comes in and I have a chance to look it over and get the binder, index cards, and composition books ready. I continue homeschooling through summer, just slow it down a bit. Things have been pretty disorganized here and I want to get structure back as soon as possible. We've been doing well with all subjects except LA and math (the basics!) I think the structure of Preparing will help me with that!
Yes, I knew that HOD would be at GHEA convention, but I won't get to go to it. I've heard good things about GHEA and that it is an awesome convention, but I've never been.
Glad you got your CTC and that you like it! I'll be looking here or on your blog for posts of how it's going. You have an absolutely awesome blog!
Thanks Donna! Thanks to Kelli too!
Donna Jo
Donna Jo