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Right now we are doing Bigger with a 3rd and 5th grader (with Extensions). It is going well and they like it. However, I sometimes feel that I am not challenging my 5th grader enough. So what are your feelings on doing two guides vs. one guide with extensions. Also, since I will be doing Preparing next year with my youngest, would I skip Preparing for the older and move her to CTC if I went with two guides? She is not highly motivated and I struggle with having her do more work independently (even though that is what I am striving for!!!). On the flip side, maybe the challenge and the responsibility would jump start her to work more on her own??

I'll let someone else answer your question who can help you more than I can.

BUT when I read this I did want to say that I have a 10 yo ds who is not a motivated learner, doesn't really enjoy reading or school in general and used to have to redo a lot of things because of this. We started CTC a couple weeks ago. He is absolutely taking on more ownership of his school work having his own guide! We had tried something else the first half of the year which had him combined with his siblings and now that he has more control of the pace of his day (doesn't have to wait) he is doing super! He seems to enjoy his school work more and knows that his day can end on time if he does his work and does it well. We have a set time in which I do work with him on some things but CTC seems to be great for encouraging independence!

This year we are using CTC with my 4th & 6th grade sons. The oldest does extensions and we have found it to be "enough" for both. Last year we used Preparing and found it to be the same for us. We came to HOD last year from another curr that was really not a good fit to be able to use with both my oldest boys together and that was/is a big goal for us. We have found HOD is such great "fit" for us in so many ways. I really think you could go either way. For us, staying together is a goal and is working well for both.

Karen,

You honestly could go either way. If your year is going well and your kiddos are enjoying school, it may be a good idea to stay the course and keep them combined as they head into Preparing Hearts. Depending on how far you are into Bigger Hearts, I'm thinking that you'll truly know as you get closer to finishing Bigger Hearts what your best route will be. If you do skip Preparing Hearts for your older child, you'll want to be sure that child can truly handle the level of work and independence scheduled within CTC. When you get closer to the end of Bigger Hearts, I would assess again and see where your oldest fits on the placement charts. If he/she firmly fits in CTC at that time, you could choose to separate your kiddos. Preparing Hearts is a great program too though, so you really can't go wrong. The great thing is that you have two very good options, and you can wait to decide for awhile simply knowing you have two good options to pick between.

Blessings,
Carrie