Help with placing my boys CtC or RtR

[myboys]

I am looking for help placing my boys this will be our first year starting HOD. I have looked at all the placement charts, read descriptions in the catalog and on this board. In September my boys will be grade 5 (January baby) and grade 7 (age 12) they are already very independent learners. My oldest is a very advanced reader my youngest doesn't enjoy reading as much but can read. We use IEW so I feel they have a good foundation for creative writing etc. We also use Apologia science which we would continue using as they enjoy these studies. I feel we have exhausted the history time line that CtC follows, we have used Story of the World and MOH2. I am confident that my oldest would be fine starting RtR but not sure with my youngest, I have read it's not recommended to start a 10 year old in RtR but I do feel he could do it. I also run a home child care so I have a 3 hour window to work with my boys while a lady works in the daycare. I realize these programs take 4-4.5 hours but I feel between their independent work and possibly stretching it over 5 days instead of 4 could be doable. I would really appreciate your help I really don't want to pay for a level and regret it once I start using it. Also if I do have to do two different levels I'm not sure time wise I would be able to with the 3 hours a day. I do know about the extensions but I really feel my oldest would be best in RtR plus I don't want to do the CtC timeline again. Thanks for your time.

[StephanieU]

RtR has a suggested age of 10-12, so some families use it with a 10yo with success. And your 10yo is an older 10yo, so it might work just fine. If he places into RtR on the placement chart, it should be fine. You might want to spend a few weeks going half speed for them to get used to the work in HOD, but I bet before long they will be ready for full speed. Also, if you look at the schedules pinned post, you can see how others schedule RtR. It definitely won't take you more than 3 hours with them I would think.

[my3sons]

I would look carefully at the placement chart for each of them. Doing 2 guides can honestly be easier than doing 1 when dc are placed right. Sharing guides, materials, books, etc. isn't always the easier option. I'd not place a 5th grader in RTR unless that 5th grader was advanced in reading and writing, experienced with Charlotte Mason style learning such as oral and written narrations, and/or had completed previous the years of HOD completely and successfully. RTR is a tough guide! From what you have shared, I think it would be easier and a better fit for your 5th grader to do CTC (or PHFHG if the reading/writing fits him better in PHFHG), and have your advanced 7th grader do Revival to Revolution (provided that looks like an accurate fit according to the placement chart). I honestly think this would be easier than combining them in a guide that is too hard for the younger and possibly too easy for the older. I also think it would help not to have to share everything. It would also help if your younger of the 2 could easily independently read all he is to read in history, science, Storytime, etc. in the guide. All of that makes a difference in successful independence, and as a busy mama that is important to consider. I work part-time and find that it is easier to have my 11 yo and 14 yo separate. They are each in guides that they can do very well and quite independently. If you do decide to combine, I would say CTC (with extensions for the oldest) would be the way to go. Getting 2 CTC guides, one for each to use, would be very helpful then. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[myboys]

Thank you to both responses do either of you have experience working through two different guides at the same time? How long would it take to teach CtC and RtR, like I mentioned in my above post I only have so many hours a day to work with my boys. Thank you

[my3sons]

Thank you to both responses do either of you have experience working through two different guides at the same time? How long would it take to teach CtC and RtR, like I mentioned in my above post I only have so many hours a day to work with my boys. Thank you

I hear ya! I only have so many hours in the day too, and this is a good question to ask. I have taught all of the HOD guides written, and the past 8 years have taught 2 or more guides, many times 3 guides. It has not been difficult because my dc are all accurately placed and able to do the work well in each of their guides. In CTC, I'd say around an hour and 15 minutes or so were needed for my time, and for RTR probably right around an hour or so. I am using everything HOD uses those - no subs, no tweaks, no additions. I am happily using HOD as is, and our days our wonderfully balanced and predictable because of it! When using HOD and considering time increments, it is good to check the suggested time allotments on the board. If subbing a math or LA component that takes longer, the day will naturally longer though not due to HOD. Here are the suggested time allotments for CTC and RTR...

CTC time it takes:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3765

RTR time it takes:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7138

I try to help teach our sons good time management skills by setting the timer for the suggested time allotment and having them try to complete the work within that time. If they go a bit longer, no big deal. If they go twice as long, they are either procrastinating or needing my help. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie