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Okay, i was wandering how much help do you give a 9th grader using ctc, are you letting them do the guide completly independent, like r&s and geography and all? school is taking us allllllll day, and it had been 3 weeks. I think it is getting a little better but i am wandering if i am doing something wrong. Just looking for feedback.

I let him do all independent boxes then actually only help with bible study box and geography box. Then I am there as needed for R&S and DITHOR and WWTB. we are doing higher level math and science and add only 2 extra reading books for history. He is also doing shop and i want to add in another bible program, but dont know how yet when this is already taking so long. I think thats all...

then i am doing LHTH and BIGGER with my youngers...

it may just take us a little longer to get into the flow, but i thought i would check??

I did not use CTC for high school but i used it fairly independently with a 7th grader I skipped the next year into 9th. She was also listening to Preparing read alouds. Nobody had answered and I know someone else will just wanted to say that I might step in a bit with your child. Perhaps have then check off the boxes and report to you when things are done. Maybe pick up the portion that is read aloud for a while and do it that way until they get up to speed. Then as you get a rhythm you can back off a bit. I find sometimes they need a little steering before they can go a straight path with independence. The program should not take as long as you are explaining even if there is complete independence. So a few checks and balances for a while might help. I did also have my dd doing higher level science. She did Apologia Biology. That was fairly independent for her except explaining some of the harder concepts. But she was able to do the experiments on her own. And I always have my kids doing other Bible in some form as well. We are super heavy on Bible. It;s the course I care most about. It's not that it is needed I just love how I can stick things with HOD and have them mold together so well. Hope that helps a bit.

thank you so much for your help I just wanted to say though, that I am actually having him check in everytime he finishes something. i do geography and the top right box (cant remember what it is this moment ) with him. I also do some math with him and science is on own unless i am needed and then to grade it. I know he would finish faster if i let him do it completelly on his own, but i dont want to do that. So, I am thinking maybe it will just take getting into a flow?? Not sure though?

beverett,

If your child is new to HOD and isn't as familiar with some of the skills in the guide that are listed as being independent, then it can take a month or two to get into the flow of an upper level guide. If your guide seems to be going much longer time-wise than what we are mentioning it should take, then there are a few things to check.

First, here is a thread breaking the boxes in CTC down into times, so you can see how long each box took us. It's a good idea to set the timer and write down how much time each box is taking your student and then compare to see where he/she may be going over. Link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3765 This leads me to my next suggestion.

Second, if you are using a different language arts or math than what we schedule in the HOD guide, then it's good to see if those areas are adding time to your day. It is possible that the 3R's could be extending your day, rather than it being the other boxes in the HOD program that are going too long. For example, in CTC we allot 5-7 min. 3 times weekly for dictation (which is spelling). If you use a different program for that, and it takes more time, then that would be adding time to your day. You can still keep your own favorites, but you may wish to get them down time-wise to something comparable to what we are planning for these areas time-wise each day. This will help in the length of the day and keep you in balance.

For grammar in CTC, we are doing half-speed Rod and Staff, setting aside about 20 min. twice weekly for grammar. For Drawn into the Heart of Reading, we are scheduling it 3 times weekly at about 35 min. a session. For math, we are allowing approximately 30-35 min. daily for Singapore. We schedule Write with the Best twice weekly for 20 min. a session for the writing program. For science, we are allotting 30 min. a day. High school science will take longer, so this will add time to your day. When comparing how much time you spend on each of these areas, you may possibly find some reasons for your day going longer.

Third, if you are having your child check in with you after each subject, it could be that he/she is spending time waiting for you when he/she instead could be working. You may want to group 3 independent subjects in a row to cut down on his/her wait time with you between subjects. Then, follow the independent sessions up with something scheduled with you. At the beginning of his scheduled time with you, check-in with his completed independent subjects all at once. This will cut down on both of your checking-in times but still accomplish the goal of looking over his work. With my older students, I typically check in twice daily briefly to make sure they are on track.

Fourth, check to see what you are adding on to your child's day that is not a part of the CTC guide. Sometimes it's amazing to see how much time the few "little things" we add take each day. If you are adding anything extra beyond the CTC guide (except for a higher level of science and math and maybe a higher level of grammar), I would drop it if it is not needed for his/her high school requirements. The Bible component in CTC is very strong, so don't worry about adding more. Try using the guide as close as possible to the way it is written with extensions and see what happens.

Anyway, these are just a few ideas that may help! We'd be glad to brainstorm more if needed to get you time down to where it should be!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you so much, this is exactly what i was looking for!! I am super excited to try some of these booksD Thank you for taking the time to answer with such great detail! I had actually just watched the Pride and Prejudice that you mentioned (absolutely loved it) and was thinking it would be a nice movie for my oldest!! Can't to check out all the suggestions, thank you again!!