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CTC: Are the notebooking pages that come with the history package all you need for that? I know in Preparing you had to have your own notebooks with paper and plastic covers etc. What about Science notebooking? Are there pages in the history notebook for that?

First thought that if we went with HOD next year, we would use Preparing for my younger dc, but now leaning more toward Bigger because I cannot picture dc ready for CTC the following year after next. Also, I am still caught up on more American History so that I can fit our state required State study in 4th grade. ( It just seems like it would fit better into this program than Preparing.) Especially when we get to the part of the French and Indian War, since we are from Michigan. My question about Bigger is this: Are the history extension readings scheduled in the back of the book and are there suggested assignments to go along with them?

I originally thought we would use MFW ECC (even bought a used set) but still feel drawn to this curriculum, meaning HOD, even though last year we tried combining using Preparing and ended up quitting early because ds was struggling with narrations and older dd was answering all of the questions. DD would have placed nicely into CTC this past year and ds into Bigger without extensions, but I had it in my head that I wanted to combine. Well, I really like both MFW and HOD for its Biblical content but love HOD better because it allows the child once old enough to be independent to a greater degree which at this stage in my life is very much needed. I love the way the guide has everything laid out so that the child can just pick up the guide and read the independent boxes himself and do the assignment with needing little or no explanation from mom.

Thanks again for listening and trying to answer my questions.

In Bigger...the ext. pack reading are scheduled in the appendix. There are also suggestions in the appendix, such as having the child narrate what he has read, etc. but no actual projects to go along with.

playschool wrote: 1. CTC: Are the notebooking pages that come with the history package all you need for that? I know in Preparing you had to have your own notebooks with paper and plastic covers etc. What about Science notebooking? Are there pages in the history notebook for that?

2. My question about Bigger is this: Are the history extension readings scheduled in the back of the book and are there suggested assignments to go along with them?

Well, I just finished CTC, so I ought to be able to help you out here with your first question. The notebooking pages are so beautiful, and they make a nice keepsake of the history learning in CTC. Some of the history projects are "lay flat" projects that are glued in the notebooking and some aren't. The ones that weren't my ds loved to use to decorate his room. My ds had 3 composition notebooks - 1 for grammar, 1 for dictation, and 1 for "Write with the Best". We ran off 35 lab sheets and put them in a binder for science experiments. We used loose leaf wide-lined notebook paper for answering the 5 questions in science once each week, and copy paper for the science notebooking once each week, which I then put in clear sleeves in the 3 ring binder. He used his Common Place book from PHFHG. The only special items we needed were for the watercolor painting, which really was a wonderful learning experience for my ds. The supplies are very reasonable at Miller Pads and Paper, so here's a link to them:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5608&p=41163#p41163

Inhistiming already answered your question about BHFHG so well. I think your oldest will love CTC, and you will enjoy the independence of it as well. My teaching time was around an hour to an hour and a half (I do use all of HOD's LA and math though, which can make a difference in time). For Bigger Hearts, you'll love how well it prepares your younger for PHFHG, and you'll also enjoy reading about all of those amazing heroes of America's past. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie