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Help! I keep getting close to placing my order, and keep changing my mind. I have 12 and 10 year old boys. I had just made the decision to put them in separate guides rather than combining (I think). I was just getting ready to place my order for RTR for my 12yo and Preparing for my 10yo, but got a little nervous and decided to look at my options again. I actually did Bigger with them both the year before last. We loved it, but I felt I didn't do a great job beefing it up for my older son. I went with something different this last year to save money, and because I love the idea of making my own curriculum. It just never comes together quite how I plan--I definately can't pull it together as well as HOD. Anyhow, I came back looking to put them both in RTR (modifying for and helping my youngest as needed--I actually think I do better modifying down than beefing up), but started looking at how wonderful Preparing was, and eventually made the decision to put them in separate programs. I wasn't thinking as much about the placement chart as I was about which programs I'd like for them to do. And I started thinking that Bigger was a great placement for my youngest 2 years ago, and he probably would have done fine in Preparing at that time. I re-looked at the placement chart and decided that according to it, my 10yo does place best in CTC. I think he is very capable, I just know he would find some of the history reading boring. I would rather be pushing him a bit than holding him back, but I also want him to learn to love learning if possible. Reading-wise, my oldest would fit great in the new RevtoRev. He reads like crazy! I worry, though, about writing skills. I think they're both a tad behind in that area. I'm sure the older would do fine in RevtoRev, but since he has only done Bigger in HOD, I thought RTR might be a better place to start, plus, that is where we are at in the history cycle. I know that is not the most important thing, but I would hate for him to miss that time period. Also, for the younger, I know he would get over it, but he would not be happy if he had to do the ancients time period again. He is a child that has been obsessed with kings and castles and knights forever, and cannot wait to study that time period. That's another reason I was putting them both in RTR to begin with, which is making me rethink that placement, (but I know he would get some of that in Preparing). I guess my options are CTC and RevtoREv, RTR and Preparing, or both in RTR. I guess I could also put them both in CTC, but I'm not crazy about putting my oldest in a lower level than RTR. I also don't really want to do 2 consecutive guides if I can help it. The content of RTR and Preparing are the most appealing to me right now, but giving them a little push in Revto Rev and CTC are also appealing (and then we would be on schedule to get through all the guides ) I guess I just need to be reassured that if I do go with RTR and Preparing, that they are going to be challenged enough.

You all have been so very helpful so far. Thank you for any more advice I may glean from you.
Stephannie

Well, I have been reading WAY too many posts (I'm going cross-eyed), but I feel very reassured again that Preparing and RTR are going to be great fits for my sons. I want to go hit the "place your order" button right now, but I think I'll try to be patient and wait it out a little longer, continue praying, get away from this computer for a while , and make sure I continue to have a peace about this decision. (And make sure nobody with experience has a better plan of action for us.)

Just to encourage you, when we started HOD my dd 9 placed squarely in CTC. But I decided to go with Preparing instead. I am so glad that I did. It has allowed the time for my dd to build her narrations skills and to get stronger in her independent work, while there is still a balance of not too much. I think she might have been less successful if I had gone with CTC. Even though she could have done the work but maybe with not the same accuracy and ease that she will be able to achieve when we do get to CTC. I think Preparing is such a wonderful program and I am so glad that I went with it.

Edie

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Edie. I am feeling pretty good about my decision. Can't wait to place my order! Just trying to sell some of my old curriculum first to help with the cost.

If it helps at all, I would be very hesistant to place a 10 year old in RTR, unless the 10 year old was able to read all his/her own science and history material, was outstanding at following lengthy written directions on his own, was a great independent worker, was strong in all CM skills, and had a strong background in literature study and analyzing literature, was well-versed in the writing process, could easily do written work, and had a strong foundation in grammar. I typically lean much more in the Preparing or CTC direction for a 10 year old. RTR is very challenging, but works well for those who have come up through HOD, or for those who are older and are newer to HOD.

Blessings,
Carrie

Thank you, Carrie! You'll be happy to know that I did end up putting them in 2 separate guides--Preparing for the 10yo, and RTR for the 12yo. (This was just one of those "panic" moments I was having that I hadn't made the right decision, but am at peace about it now.)
I placed my order a couple days ago , and can't wait for it to get here!