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Does it really matter if I choose to use the basic history reader set, or if I go with the extension readers? Perhaps pick and choose titles from each?

My dd is 11, 6th grade. She is a very, very strong reader. I like titles from both, some not so. I *think* she'd enjoy the books more from the extension set. I was unsure about the expense of buying both.

I've tried reading old posts, and they make me go in circles.

Basically, is it wrong to opt for the extension pack over the basic history readers and use those for story time? I may get both...but if I can get only one I need to settle on what to do. Would it mess anything up if I mix 'n matched books from each set?

Thanks for any tips. I thought of going to the library for one set...but I am not a library person. We end up owing late fees every time we go, so I'd rather buy books if I think we're gonna use them.

Thanks,
Tab

This is a good question, Tab.
I hope Julie will chime in. In the meantime here's a quote from the CTC page that may help. "6th and 7th graders should either listen to the History Interest Set read-aloud, or read the Extension Package books (as scheduled in the Appendix), or do both of these options in order to extend their learning." So I think you could go either way.

One thing I do know is that usually the Extension packages are not meant to be read-alouds. So you could get the extension package for her to read herself and substitute books you already have for the read-aloud Storytime part of the plans if you are trying to economize. If you click on one of the books in the girl interest basic package you will see that they are set up by Genre so you could follow the plan as far as Genre goes substituting your own books for biography, mystery etc.

However, I have heard lots of good things about the History interest basic package so maybe you could get a few of these at a time to help spread out the cost. Since, she is an excellent reader and you think she would like the books in the extension package you may want to get that one for sure. As far as mixing and matching I will let Julie or Carrie answer that one.

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Tabitha wrote:Does it really matter if I choose to use the basic history reader set, or if I go with the extension readers? Perhaps pick and choose titles from each?

My dd is 11, 6th grade. She is a very, very strong reader. I like titles from both, some not so. I *think* she'd enjoy the books more from the extension set. I was unsure about the expense of buying both.

I've tried reading old posts, and they make me go in circles.

Basically, is it wrong to opt for the extension pack over the basic history readers and use those for story time? I may get both...but if I can get only one I need to settle on what to do. Would it mess anything up if I mix 'n matched books from each set?

Thanks for any tips. I thought of going to the library for one set...but I am not a library person. We end up owing late fees every time we go, so I'd rather buy books if I think we're gonna use them.

Thanks,
Tab

Hi Tabitha,

It is fine to pick and choose, especially for storytime. The pre-selected package is more for ease of ordering and use than anything else. The important thing would be to make sure you have the variety of genres, if you're using the books for storytime.

Happy ordering!

Thank you ladies.

I think we'll be looking through the book titles then and perhaps doing a mix of them UNLESS she likes them all. Then I need to talk to daddy about the budget for her books. It certainly makes it easier to buy more for her since the other girls get everything passed down to them and we only need to buy consumables for them!

Thanks again for your input.

Hi Tabitha!

If I'm reading your question right, you're wondering about using part of the extension pack books and part of the storytime history interest books, right? While you could certainly read some of both of these packages, I'm guessing that the times they're used won't necessarily line up in the guide. The extension books have their own schedule in the appendix, and the storytime titles are scheduled in the storytime box.

We're loving the follow-up activities for the storytime box so far this year. So, if I were you, I wouldn't want to skip doing anything in that box. That box coordinates with either the history set of readers or the genre-based storytime packs. The times you switch books here don't "match" either. We're already into our 2nd book of the history set for storytime...and you'd still be reading a biography if you chose that option. So,I could see it getting confusing if you were wanting to go back and forth between both here, too.

So, if possible, I'd want to use the storytime box with my child (using a pack of books to go with it - whichever you choose). And, then I'd add on the extension books for her. If you don't think that funds would allow you to purchase all of the extension books, I'd opt for the history read-alouds, and add on the ones you can afford. Does that make sense?

Kathleen

Excellent advice Kathleen.

The extension package is designed for ages 12 on up, so an 11 yo does not need the extension package. If your dd is an excellent reader and you'd like to add the extension package, you surely could, but the priority for her age would be the Storytime books and their follow-ups. To maintain the cohesiveness of the plans, you'd not want pick and choose from among the two different sets. I'm sitting here with Carrie and she also wanted me to share that the Storytime books were chosen for their read aloud quality, while the Extension books were chosen to be read independently (as they have much longer readings, higher vocabulary, lengthier descriptive passages, etc.). So, they fill different purposes. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Yes, all is perfectly explained. Questions were answered from all angles - lol. Just awesome!

We're gonna get both sets, I'm pretty sure about that. She wants the girl interest as well, however, I am gonna hold those back as rewards. Those we will go to the library for, but she will have to earn those trips. Bad, making my girls earn library trips, but it keeps them in check!

She frequently reads in her bed for hours before bed, so the extension books will be perfect for that.

Thanks again!

Sounds like a plan! You're all set to go. We're ready to start unit 3 in CTC, and so far we're LOVING it here!

Kathleen