Redo Preparing ?

[kbartlett16]

My daughter is a 10 year old 5th grader whose birthday falls in May. She completed all of the Beyond Guide for 2nd grade, but due to illness/pregnancy and a new baby we did a very scaled down modified version of Bigger and Preparing. We ended up just having her read through most of the books herself and did virtually none of the lesson plans as planned in the guides. We did have her narrate what she read, but I don't think she had full understanding of several of the books. We switched from Singapore Math to Teaching Textbooks and she is doing well with that. We also did most of the R&S english book for grade 3. She did very little writing except for all of level 3 dictation, but she is reading very well at a 5th to 6th grade level. According to the placement chart it appeared she would be okay to go into CTC, but she has been struggling very much for the last 4 begining Units. It is taking her her 6-8 solid hours ( not including breaks) to finish each day. If we don't have enough time for her to finish it is spilling over onto the 5th weekday and Saturdays. She also attends art classes at a local gallery on the 5th weekday. We have tried to implement a timer system, but she either skims the material to make time and then doesn't understand the material or goes WAY over. She is really struggling with the reading comprehension on History of the Ancient World and her Land Animals science. She is also struggling to keep up with DITHOR reading 4/5. She also finds it almost impossible to do written narrations on Fridays. I am sure if I could read all of her independent work out loud with her she would be comprehending more, but with 2 other LO's I don't really have the time to help her with everything. I am considering just having her repeat PHFHG and actually doing the full guide as written this year to build missed skills like written narration. Does anyone think this could be the right way to go ? She likes repetition and says she wouldn't mind re-reading some of the same books. I also figured we could add the extensions if needed. However, I was hoping to finish all the guides before high school with her so that is one concern I have. Has anyone else run into this issue ? We are also on a tight budget so the thought of not having to buy another guide for next year and just doing CTC is also a plus for us. I would appreciate any input ! Thanks

[Kteni]

If your daughter is enthusiastic about the idea, half the battle is won.
It sure seems like it would be a benefit to her to dive deeper into Preparing.
I am a firm believer in meeting children where they are at in education. My 11DD is thriving in Preparing this year. We LOVE it. You know best. You are her mama. Pray about it. My guess is that The Lord will let you know the way to go.
I do think it is a good plan based on your description. There are some very wise mamas here, and it is a great place to ask around! Hugs

[mom23]

My first thought was to suggest just continuing CTC, but at half speed; that may be an option for you. However, with the struggle being in several areas of required skills, you may have a better idea to do the Preparing guide as written. I sort of hesitate to fully recommend that because it would probably not be really engaging for her to repeat everything, even if you are building new skills in the process. Another thing to consider, is that Preparing would require more of your time than CTC, and you mentioned not having the time to help her with everything...I think if you did Preparing again, you'd really want to follow the Teacher/Semi-Independent/Independent work recommendations in the guide. Definitely give it some prayer and consideration. Maybe others will have specific advice on repeating a guide in your situation.

I wonder if you can continue the CTC guide, but modify it for the time being to reflect more of the expectations of the Preparing guide. For example, maybe read the History to her and ease her into the narration skills the way Preparing did-with listing out questions to start her thinking and give her a starting sentence, and ask for only 3-5 sentences at the beginning. Then work into having her do the work as written in CTC eventually-several months down the road, if she's seeming ready, or even next year. But, with what you've described I really don't think I'd recommend continuing CTC full speed. If you slow it down, taking it half pace, even for the remainder of this school year, perhaps you could try again full speed next year as she finishes up the guide, so she'd be more ready for RTR. 6-8 hrs a day is lots for a 5th grader! I'm sorry you're struggling in this way; I know that's overwhelming and discouraging for her and her Mama, too!

[psreit]

My daughter is 10yo 4th grader with a May birthday. I have posted about her difficulties in reading due to dyslexia. We stopped Bigger in the middle of last school year to focus on the reading and math, which is another problem area. I want to start in Preparing, but I am waiting until next year, 5th grade, because right now I don't feel she would get full benefit from it. If you feel your dd has not acquired the skills learned in Preparing because she didn't use the guide to the full, I would think it would benefit to do the guide again. In dealing my dd's difficulties, it has been important for her to learn a skill well before moving on to another. Many frustrations will come if you continue and there are some gaps. Just my opinion.

[MelInKansas]

It seems obvious you should slow down or move back a bit in some form. Even though she's read a lot of the material already, maybe from what you are seeing with her struggle with comprehension in the CTC books, she didn't comprehend or put together a lot of the stuff she read for Preparing. I know for me, with my busy brood and various things I feel called to do, it is really easy to not do the guide thoroughly but I see a huge difference in my kids' growth and understanding when I do. You could always start with Preparing again for a week and see how that goes. If she finds that a lot more managable (and you find it a lot more managable) and you see skills there that she needs work in, keep going. You can speed it up by doing it 5 days a week instead of 4, maybe then getting you back on track to finish MTMM before high school. You've got time yet.

ETA: the writing level is a huge thing for placement. If writing is harder for her, or she's just out of practice with it and needs some refreshing, then definitely go back or go to 1/2 speed so she can work her way back up to the level of writing she needs to be at. I would be cautious about 1/2 speed if you think it will take her more than 2-3 months to get up to the level that's required, I would recommend going back if you think it will take very long for her to catch up.

[TrueGRIT]

If she is willing to repeat Preparing I would take that into serious consideration.
Even if she goes back into Preparing she may be able to get through the guide faster, especially if you do it 5 days a week.
The other option is CTC half speed for awhile.
Why not try a week of Preparing or 2 weeks of CTC half- speed to see what would be a good fit?
Remember, it is what works for both of you!
Best wishes to you.

[kbartlett16]

Thanks for all the great input. I have never posted on this board before and I am overwhelmed at all the great ideas and support. I think we are going to start a trial of Preparing this week and see how it goes. If that is a fail then maybe we will try CTC 1/2 speed. My daughter so far is very excited to starting Preparing again tomorrow. She LOVES repetition so I am still hoping it will be a good fit. In fact her father is like that too and he always retains the most from his college classes when he rereads the material several times. I guess we shall see. Thanks again everyone !

[mom23]

Knowing that about her, I think you're making the right decision! Have fun today

[Kteni]

Prayed that you will be blessed as a mama and teacher and that your daughter will respond and thrive. That you will have your week go well.

Please let us know how it goes!