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I posted yesterday that I'm doing research for next year's curriculum plans. As I look at the table of contents for Preparing, I see it cover creation, Egyptians, Greeks, through Jesus, middle ages, etc. all the way through current history. Then CTC (and I'm guessing RTR and future programs) will delve into each of these topics more in depth? So is Preparing sort of a spiral approach to history with the subsequent years being more "mastery" of the history? BTW, where can I obtain a table of contents for CTC?

Also, Question about Bigger. My ds would be entering 5th grade the year my dd will be starting Bigger. Technically I could have him do this program with the exentions, but am wondering if I want to do that since he's covered at least half of the history topics in Bigger. In your opinion, would it be better to place him in Preparing and dd in Bigger, provided they meet the academic requirements? Or would you have older dc do the repeat of history?

The table of contents for CTC is here: http://www.heartofdakota.com/pdf/CTC-First-Week.pdf As far as placement of your children goes, the most important things are where they fit best on the placement chart, http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php , and whether they are close enough in age and skill to combine. Many people find that using separate programs works much better when the kids are very different in skill level. I would not really worry about "repeating" history topics, as you will find HOD's treatment of history unique. As children mature, they make new connections, so repetition is not a bad thing

I'd be glad to help you in your research phase! First off, I agree with pp that utilizing the placement chart and correctly placing dc is quite important. We have used the chart over the years, and found it to be very accurate. We have 3 sons, and we are currently doing RTR, Bigger Hearts (half-speed), and LHTH. Our year has been smooth sailing and full of delight! I think it is because each of our dc can do what I'm asking them to do, and I can therefore spend the needed time with each child based on their age and skills. HOD's guides build upon one another, focusing on the 3 R's first in the younger guides, then adding more and more time and skills as dc mature, and teaching independence as dc gradually take over more responsibility for their learning as they are able. In general, teaching time increases incrementally from LHTH to Bigger Hearts, and then decreases from PHFHG on up, for dc have the ability (and the desire ) to take on more of their learning. Balance is the gem of HOD. It is in every day, every unit, every guide - and Christ is at the center of it all. I think if you look at the placement chart with each individual child in mind and share your thoughts here, we'd all love to help you with placement! Now, for the questions you have thus far...

Joselle173 wrote:I posted yesterday that I'm doing research for next year's curriculum plans. As I look at the table of contents for Preparing, I see it cover creation, Egyptians, Greeks, through Jesus, middle ages, etc. all the way through current history. Then CTC (and I'm guessing RTR and future programs) will delve into each of these topics more in depth? So is Preparing sort of a spiral approach to history with the subsequent years being more "mastery" of the history? ...

PHFHG is a one year sweep of history to give an overview of the 4 year cycle that is to come. As Charlotte Mason would have said, "This is so dc can have 'pegs' to hang their learning upon". We found this to be true. After we did PHFHG, my ds was able to hang his "CTC pegs" neatly within the time frame of the span of history in his mind, and we are finding the same to be true for RTR. He understands how each time period fits into the bigger picture of history, and he sees God's hand in it all.

Joselle173 wrote:Also, Question about Bigger. My ds would be entering 5th grade the year my dd will be starting Bigger. Technically I could have him do this program with the exentions, but am wondering if I want to do that since he's covered at least half of the history topics in Bigger. In your opinion, would it be better to place him in Preparing and dd in Bigger, provided they meet the academic requirements? Or would you have older dc do the repeat of history?

I would definitely place each child where he/she best fits according to the placement chart and enjoy the year as it will flow smoothly! As far as combining or not, some do and some don't. It depends very much on what dc can do, how they work together, how much of a gap there is between their abilities, etc. So, that leads me to my next question - Could you please share about each of your dc with the placement chart in mind, especially the first page of it, as well as share any other information you think is beneficial, and then we'll all chime in with ideas you can consider? No matter which program or programs you end up doing, I think HOD will be a blessing in your home. We enjoy our homeschooling days with HOD so much. I feel I have all my bases covered, and 8 years into homeschooling, I am still enjoying it and truly confident I can do this for the long haul (not something I was sure of to begin with ). HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you both for your responses. When I look at the placement chart, ds9 hasn't started cursive writing (he has no desire, and I don't see the point in pushing it till he shows an interest. His handwriting is scandalous, lol, and I don't see cursive helping the situation.) That aside, we're looking to start Fall 2011, and ds is an independent reader, will be 10.5 years old, I've really never done dictation with him, he's had an introduction to parts of speech, we struggle with spelling and are using All About Spelling a back to basics type program beginning with phonograms. He really doesn't use manipulatives for math, and is doing it independently (unless he doesn't understand a concept, then I help out.). So ds could go both ways, but I'm leaning towards Preparing in 5th (without extensions, at least initially; not sure if he would need them.) And at least we could cover more of the history cycle this way as well (he'd be in 9th and 10th when World History II and Geography come out. Not sure yet if World History will have extensions or count for credit at the high school level, although I read somewhere that geography will.)

Thanks for sharing about your ds - that really helps! This post explains the amount of writing in Bigger Hearts as compared to PHFHG:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3602

I am thinking from what you've shared that, you may really enjoy just doing Bigger Hearts with the 2 of them. It is a meaty program, and your ds could have time to work on his handwriting, grammar, and dictation - while still being challenged with the Bigger Hearts extension package, as he is an independent reader. The package also includes science, which is an easy way to extend that area. The rest of Bigger Hearts sounds like a good fit for him. However, having him do PHFHG would be a good option too - I think it depends if he's ready for the writing requirements in PHFHG, and also if he works well with his younger sibling. Maybe printing out the first week of plans for each and comparing them would help as you ponder which placement better fits your ds. Either way, HOD has outstanding guides! You really can't go wrong as long as placement is right.

In Christ,
Julie