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We've been using HOD for the last 4 years with my kids. Each year we have used it in different ways that bless our family.
I have been praying and praying about next year and I *think* I am on to a plan for our family.

Has anyone used CTC for 6th grade? I know the recommended age is 4th-5th. But for my oldest son we have used Beyond - grade 2, Bigger - grade 3, own modified history/Bigger - grade 4, PHFHG - grade 5 WITH his younger brother. I do not think my younger son [going to be grade 4] is really ready for CTC. I DO think my going-to-be-6th grader would do well with it. I think it will be meaty enough for a 6th grader, but I would like to hear if anyone has used it for 6th grader. [My son is an avid reader, strong in writing and grammar, and likes self direction.]

For my 4th grade son and 2nd grade daughter, I am thinking I will do Bigger with them both and having the 4th grade son enhance it with some reading. Has anyone done these two grades together with Bigger? [My son is good in math, easily bored with history, and is doing well in R&S grammar but doesn't love it. My daughter is a spaz. Really. She is like happy dynamite. She seems to be average in everything. Loves to read. I really want them to both have the proverbs study!]

I'd love to hear from anyone who has had experience with these ages/grades/curriculums.
THANK YOU.

[Everyone will do their own level math, and Rod & Staff language.]

I also have a 5 year old Kindergartener and a 1 year old.

Many people use CTC with 6th graders. My 6th grader is 11 so he falls within the age of the guide and really enjoyed CTC this year. It is very meaty. It was a challenging year. Since they move up to doing the history reading on their own that adds a new dimension to things. The reading is not easy as far as vocabulary and style of writing. It also really moves them to the next level with their writing and narration skills. We did Preparing also and I see a jump between Preparing and CTC as far as level of difficulty. Of course Preparing does a great job getting them ready for CTC.

Thanks, Lynn! Good to hear it worked for you!

Has anyone done Bigger with 2nd and 4th at the same time?

I am currently doing Bigger with 2nd and 4th grade boys. It is just perfect for us! At first it was a lot of writing for my 2nd grader, but we just waited for him patiently and now he is going along just fine. My fourth grader gives a lot more detail to the notebooking and narrations, but I think this is his partly personality and partly age!! We are absolutetly loving it though and this was the perfect fit for them!! I cant remember how old your 6th grader is (or if you said), but if neccesary you could have him do the extensions? JUst a thought , I know I have seen CTC being used for 6th...

I've done Bigger with a 2nd and 4th grader (2 boys) and since it's taken us two years (finishing up this year) I'm now doing it with a 3rd and 5th grader - same kids! It doesn't normally take that long, but we had pregnancy/baby breaks. They do their own level for english, math, ind. reading, and one does spelling, the other does dictation. Everything else we do together. They love the history read alouds, science, and hands-on activities. I also can modify things as needed, i.e letting the younger do some things orally instead of written, or having the older do more writing/reading or more things independently, or sometimes he reads outloud to the younger and then they do the activity together. Stuff like that. Hope that helps!
Kristen